The foreign ministers of the Group of Seven (G7) leading industrialized countries expressed their support for Ukraine on November 26 in the final statement following their summit in Italy. They also condemned what they described as Russia's "irresponsible and threatening nuclear rhetoric." The G7 ministers’ statement also warned that North Korean support for Russia marked a dangerous expansion of the war, condemning the development and saying Russia’s procurement of North Korean ballistic missiles and munitions was a violation of UN Security Council resolutions. “We stand firm against Russia’s war of aggression. We vehemently condemn the brutal attacks against Ukraine’s cities and critical civilian infrastructure and its unacceptable toll on the civilian population,” the minister said in a joint statement at the conclusion of their two-day meeting. The foreign ministers of Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States noted Russia’s use of an intermediate range ballistic missile on November 21, saying it is “further evidence of its reckless and escalatory behavior.” They also said their support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence “will remain unwavering.” The ministers, who were joined by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha and the EU’s foreign policy chief at their meeting in Fiuggi, a spa town southeast of Rome, added that they hoped to start distributing a $50 billion loan package stemming from frozen Russian assets by the end of the year. They also pledged to act against groups helping Russia to evade sanctions and called on China, a long-standing ally of North Korea, to act against the deployment of North Korean troops to the battlefield. The ministers also tried to raise the pressure on Israel to accept a cease-fire deal with Hezbollah in Lebanon, saying "now is the time to conclude a diplomatic settlement." They called on the Israeli government to facilitate humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. "We express our strongest condemnation for the rise in extremist settler violence committed against Palestinians, which undermines security and stability in the West Bank and threatens prospects for a lasting peace," the statement added. Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has written an autobiography in which she reaffirms her decision to push back against offering Ukraine future membership in NATO at a summit in 2008 despite criticism that such a move may have prevented Russia from invading Ukraine. In the book, Merkel reflects on how that decision and others during her 16 years in office have fared over time and recalls her relationships with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Freedom: Memoirs 1954-2021 was launched in Berlin on November 26 nearly three years to the day after she left office and ahead of a promotional tour of major European cities and the United States. The 70-year-old Merkel, known for her calm and unflappable leadership style, in the book rejects blame for any of the current strain in the West's relations with Russia in a rare commentary on her time in office. Concerning the 2008 Bucharest NATO summit, Merkel noted a pledge that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join the western military alliance was a "battle cry" to the Russian leader, adding that he later told her: "You won't be Chancellor forever. And then they'll become a member of NATO. And I want to prevent that." Six years later Putin launched the Russian occupation and annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, and followed that with the February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which the Russian president has justified in part by citing Kyiv's NATO membership desires. Russia Is 'An Indispensable Geopolitical Factor' Putin was always on guard not to be treated badly and engaged in power games, according to the book. Merkel wrote about his inclination to make others wait and recalls how, despite her fear of dogs, he allowed his black Labrador to be in the room during a meeting in 2007 in Sochi. “You could find all this childish, reprehensible, you could shake your head at it,” she writes. “But that didn’t make Russia disappear from the map. Russia with its nuclear arsenal exists and remains “an indispensable geopolitical factor.” Merkel also details her experience with Trump during his first term as president, saying he “judged everything from the perspective of the real estate developer he had been before entering politics.” She writes that they “talked on two different levels,” in their March 2017 meeting at the White House. “Trump on an emotional level, me on a factual one.” Trump 'Captivated' By 'Dictatorial Tendencies' She added that Trump, who won a second non-consecutive term on November 5, did not share her conviction that cooperation could benefit all but instead believed that all countries were in competition with each other. “He did not believe that prosperity of all could be increased through cooperation,” she writes of the U.S. president, who "was captivated by politicians with autocratic and dictatorial tendencies." Merkel also writes about the difficulties of being the first female candidate for chancellor and her decision to welcome large numbers of migrants and displaced people in 2015 in the 700-plus page memoir, which is being simultaneously published as an audiobook and translated into more than two dozen languages, including French and English. She will make a special presentation in Washington on her book tour to to present it in the United States on December 2 alongside former U.S. President Barack Obama. The book is being published as Germans rethink her legacy, including her policy on migration, which many in Germany believe led to a surge in the far right. The former leader of Germany's center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) uses the book to justify the decisions she made regarding Russia, which launched its invasion of Ukraine just five months after Olaf Scholz of the Social Democrats (SPD) was elected to succeed Merkel, who had decided not to seek reelection. Under Scholz the German economy has stagnated. The war in Ukraine prompted Berlin to wean itself off cheap Russia gas. At the same time the country has had to deal with a reduction in exports to China. Scholz now faces a challenging campaign for reelection after the collapse of his coalition government. The flight recorders of a cargo plane belonging to global courier DHL that crashed near Vilnius on November 25 have been found as investigators continue to search for the cause of the deadly accident. The Boeing 737-476 aircraft crashed as it attempted to land at Vilnius International Airport, killing the jet's Spanish pilot and injuring another Spanish crew member, a German, and a Lithuanian. The crash came amid concerns among Western security officials that Russian intelligence is preparing acts of sabotage targeting Western cargo aircraft, though officials have said so far they have no evidence of a link. The plane's flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder, the so-called black boxes, "were found and removed from the wreckage," Lithuania's Justice Ministry said in a statement , adding that investigators are analyzing the data on the two devices. "The goal of a safety investigation is to prevent future accidents," the statement said, adding the probe "does not seek to determine who is at fault or responsible." Lithuanian Chief Prosecutor Arturas Urbelis separately said at least 19 witnesses were interviewed in connection with the incident but so far no indication has been found of "more serious actions." The plane that departed Leipzig, Germany, about 90 minutes before the crash hit several buildings as it skidded hundreds of meters, according to the police and DHL. One of the buildings hit by the plane was a house whose occupants survived, authorities said. Firefighters were not able to determine whether the plane began burning or breaking up while still in the air, and authorities have appealed to the public to hand over possible video recordings of the crash. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the crash could have been a "hybrid incident" with outside involvement. "We must now seriously ask ourselves whether this was an accident or whether it was another hybrid incident," Baerbock told reporters at a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy. "We have recently seen multiple hybrid attacks in Europe, often targeting individuals and infrastructure, whether underwater or hard infrastructure," she said, alluding to the recent severing of telecom cables in the Baltic Sea that officials have said could have been sabotage. German authorities are working very closely with the Lithuanian authorities to get to the bottom of the crash, she added. Lithuanian authorities have so far stopped short of making the same link. "We cannot reject the possibility of terrorism...but at the moment we can't make attributions or point fingers because we don't have such information," Lithuanian counterintelligence chief Darius Jauniskis told reporters. Many Western intelligence agencies have accused Moscow of involvement in sabotage acts in Europe, which they have said are aimed at destabilizing allies of Ukraine as it relies on Western governments in its war against Russia's full-scale invasion. Lithuanian Commissioner-General of Police Arunas Paulauskas said surviving crew members told investigators there was no smoke, fire, or other emergency situation in the cabin prior to the crash. He also said the probability of an external force impact was very low. The crash came after a series of fires at DHL depots in Britain and Germany during the summer. Western security officials were quoted in a news report earlier this month linking the fires to a test run of an alleged Russian operation aimed at igniting fires on cargo or passenger aircraft bound for North America. The Wall Street Journal quoted security officials as saying devices that ignited in July in DHL depots in Leipzig and the British city of Birmingham were part of the test run. Last month, Polish officials said four people had been detained as a result of the investigation into parcels that caught fire while en route to United States and Canada. The activities of the four people "consisted of sabotage and diversion related to sending parcels containing camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials via courier companies to European Union countries and Great Britain, which spontaneously ignited or detonated during land and air transport," Polish prosecutors said in a statement on October 25. "The group's goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada," the statement said, adding that foreign intelligence services were to blame. The statement did not directly accuse Russia of involvement. Canada in early November expressed concern to Russian officials after he arrests were announced. Russia responded by summoning a Canadian diplomat on November 8 to rebut allegations that Russia's secret services had orchestrated the campaign to mail explosive packages. Russia has expelled Edward Prior Wilks, a second secretary in the Political Department of the British Embassy in Moscow, accusing him of espionage under diplomatic cover. The Federal Security Service (FSB) announced the decision on November 26, claiming Wilks was part of an "undeclared intelligence presence" in Russia, deepening tensions between Moscow and London. According to the FSB, Wilks entered Russia with false information and engaged in "intelligence and subversive activities" that posed a threat to national security. The diplomat, reportedly linked to the U.K. Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office’s Directorate for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, has had his accreditation revoked. Russian authorities have given him two weeks to leave the country. The expulsion follows the removal of six British intelligence officers in August amid strained relations between the two nations over issues ranging from the war in Ukraine to alleged interference in domestic affairs. The move comes on the same day Russia’s Foreign Ministry expanded its sanctions list, barring 30 prominent U.K. officials, military personnel, and journalists from entering the country. The list includes Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and high-profile figures in the defense and technology sectors. In a statement, Moscow accused Britain of pursuing an "aggressive, Russophobic policy," including support for Ukraine, disinformation about Russia, and direct involvement in the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin warned London to abandon its "futile course" and engage in constructive dialogue. The announcements mark a further escalation in the strained relations, reflecting the deepening crisis in relations between the Kremlin and the West over Moscow's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s actions highlight a deliberate strategy to challenge what it perceives as Western interference. By targeting both diplomatic channels and influential figures, Moscow is signaling that it will not tolerate perceived provocations. At the same time, these moves are part of a broader pattern of Russia asserting its geopolitical stance against the West amid ongoing tensions over Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The diplomatic expulsion, coupled with expanded sanctions, reflects the Kremlin’s view of the United Kingdom as a central player in the Western coalition supporting Ukraine, escalating an already hostile dynamic. The so-called Supreme Court in Ukraine's Russian-occupied Donetsk region has sentenced Mamuka Mamulashvili, leader of the Georgian Legion, to 23 years in prison in absentia. The court, operating under Russia’s authority in the illegally annexed region, accused Mamulashvili of recruiting and training foreign mercenaries to fight against Russian forces in Ukraine. According to the Russian Prosecutor General’s Office, the 46-year-old Mamulashvili, who says he has been the focus of several poisoning attempts, was found guilty under several articles of the Russian Criminal Code. While the ruling will likely have no practical impact on Mamulashvili or the Georgian Legion’s operations, it provides valuable propaganda for the Kremlin as it continues its campaign to suppress dissent and isolate Ukraine diplomatically. For Ukraine and its allies, the verdict underscores the ongoing challenges in countering Russia’s narrative both on and off the battlefield. The charges allege that from 2014 to 2024 Mamulashvili recruited ex-military personnel from Georgia and other nations not directly involved in the ongoing war in Ukraine. Prosecutors claimed Mamulashvili provided training, weapons, and logistical support to these recruits, enabling their participation in military operations. The court further stated Mamulashvili received compensation equivalent to over 23 million rubles ($221.500) for his activities. Russian authorities also highlighted an April 2022 interview Mamulashvili gave to the Khodorkovsky-LIVE YouTube channel where he voiced staunchly anti-Russian sentiments and criticized Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine. In addition to Mamulashvili, three other Georgian fighters -- Giorgi Rusitashvili, Nodar Petriashvili, and Vano Nadiradze -- were sentenced in absentia to 14 years in prison each. They were convicted of participating as mercenaries in an armed conflict. The Russian prosecutor’s office stated that all four individuals would serve their sentences in a strict-regime penal colony if captured. The Georgian Legion, founded in 2014, is a volunteer military unit supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression. Composed primarily of Georgian ex-soldiers, the group has been actively involved in key battles across eastern Ukraine. Russia has labeled the Georgian Legion a terrorist organization, aligning with its broader narrative of framing foreign support for Ukraine as illegitimate and criminal. The in absentia sentencing of Mamulashvili and other Georgian fighters appears to serve several purposes beyond legal action. It reinforces Moscow’s portrayal of foreign volunteers aiding Ukraine as mercenaries and terrorists, undermining their legitimacy. By focusing on Mamulashvili’s recruitment efforts and financial rewards, Russian authorities aim to discredit the broader network of international support for Ukraine’s resistance. The verdict also underscores Russia’s effort to project authority over Donetsk, a region it annexed in violation of international law. Issuing high-profile verdicts from a “Supreme Court” in the occupied territory serves to normalize its judicial and political structures in the eyes of its domestic audience, despite their lack of international recognition. Russia's Investigative Committee announced on November 26 that it had opened a criminal case against James Scott Rhys Anderson, a British citizen accused of committing terrorism and mercenary activities. Anderson, who is alleged to have fought for Ukraine's International Legion, was detained in Russia's Kursk region after crossing the border in mid-November. His case underscores the growing complexities of international involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war and the heightened risks faced by foreign volunteers. According to the Investigative Committee , Anderson, alongside other members of Ukrainian forces and foreign mercenaries, illegally entered Kursk with weapons, military equipment, and drones armed with explosive devices. Russian authorities claim the group carried out actions intended to intimidate the local population, cause "significant" property damage, and destabilize government operations. A statement from the Investigative Committee said Anderson and his associates were armed with automatic firearms, missile systems, and drones, underscoring the technological capabilities of Ukraine's forces and their international allies. The authorities allege these actions constitute terrorism under Russian law. A video circulated on pro-Russian Telegram channels and by the state news agency TASS over the weekend showed a man identifying himself as James Scott Rhys Anderson, a 22-year-old former British Army signalman who joined Ukraine's International Legion after leaving military service in 2023. Speaking with a clear British accent, Anderson confirmed his identity and discussed his role in the ongoing war. However, the footage has not been independently verified, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding its recording. Anderson's situation highlights the dangers faced by foreign volunteers in Ukraine's resistance, as well as the propaganda value such incidents hold for Russia. The Kremlin has consistently sought to portray foreign fighters as illegitimate actors, using their presence to bolster its narrative that Ukraine's defense is dependent on mercenaries and extremists. Since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's 2022 call for international recruits, thousands of foreign volunteers have joined Ukraine’s International Legion. The elite unit, integrated into Ukraine’s military, has attracted fighters from across the globe, including Western nations. For many, the war represents a fight against Russian aggression and a defense of democratic values, but their participation also exposes them to legal and physical risks. Anderson's case is not the first instance of a foreign fighter being captured or accused by Russia. Moscow has consistently sought to criminalize foreign involvement, labeling such fighters as mercenaries -- a status not protected under international law -- and often accusing them of terrorism. This tactic not only targets individual fighters but also aims to deter further international participation in Ukraine's defense. The announcement of Anderson's detainment comes amid shifting dynamics in the border regions, including Kursk. Ukraine's recent cross-border operations signal an escalation in tactics, challenging Russian defenses within its own territory. These incursions, while symbolic of Ukraine's bold resistance, also amplify Moscow's narrative of external aggression threatening its sovereignty. At the same time, reports of Russia employing North Korean soldiers and pushing to reclaim territory lost during Ukraine's August counteroffensive suggest a deepening of the conflict. Russia's efforts to portray foreign fighters like Anderson as central to these operations serve as both a legal and propaganda tool, distracting from its own controversial use of international personnel and tactics. A court in the Siberian city of Chita has sentenced journalist Nika Novak, a former RFE/RL contributor, to four years in prison. Sources close to the investigation told RFE/RL on November 26 that Novak was found guilty of "collaboration with a foreign organization on a confidential basis." Novak was arrested in Moscow last year and transferred to Siberia. Her case was marked as classified, and the details were not publicized. Novak had worked for ChitaMedia and was editor in chief of the Zab.ru website. She contributed to programs by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities in 2022. RFE/RL President and CEO Stephen Capus condemned Novak's conviction, saying the charges against her were politically motivated and "intended to silence individual reporters and cause a chilling effect." He also called for her immediate release. The law criminalizing collaboration with foreign organizations on a confidential basis allows prosecution for sharing nonclassified information with foreign organizations. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Siberia.Realities, click here . Russia overnight launched 188 drones and four cruise missiles at targets in Ukraine -- a record number of projectiles in a single attack, Kyiv's air force said, as NATO and Ukrainian envoys prepared to gather in Brussels to assess Moscow's launching last week of an experimental missile at a Ukrainian city. Ukrainian air-defense systems "tracked 192 air targets -- four Iskander ballistic missiles and 188 enemy drones," the air force said in a message on Telegram. It added that 76 Russian drones were shot down over 17 Ukrainian regions, while another 95 drones "were lost in location" after their navigation systems had been jammed by Ukrainian electronic warfare systems. Five more drones changed course and flew toward Belarus, it said. No casualties were immediately reported in any of the 17 regions targeted, but critical infrastructure facilities such as the country's power grid and high-rise apartment buildings were damaged in several regions, officials said. During the attack, the western Ukrainian city of Ternopil was temporarily left without electricity. For the past several months, Russia has been battering Ukrainian cities with increasingly heavy drone, missile, and glide bomb strikes, causing casualties and damaging energy infrastructure as the cold season settles in. In Brussels, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC) is to discuss on November 26 Russia's launching of an experimental hypersonic intermediate-range missile at Ukraine last week. The NUC was established at a NATO summit in Vilnius last year to step up the alliance's collaboration with Kyiv and support Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership. The NUC meeting of envoys from Ukraine and the 32 member states of the alliance was called by Kyiv after Russia on November 21 struck the Ukrainian city of Dnipro with what President Vladimir Putin said was a new missile called Oreshnik. Putin said the move was part of Moscow's response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil with U.S.-supplied ATACMS and British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. Putin said the Oreshnik is new and not an upgrade of previous Soviet-designed weaponry. The United States said the new missile is "experimental" and based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Ukraine initially accused Russia of having used an ICBM in the Dnipro attack. An ICBM has never been used in a war. The Pakistani military has deployed troops in Islamabad as thousands of protesters demanding the release of former Prime Minister Imran Khan refused to call off their march on the capital amid clashes with security forces. The military reportedly received orders to shoot on sight early on November 26 following the deaths of at least three army rangers in a car-ramming incident overnight. Dozens of security forces were wounded in the clashes, some seriously. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi issued a statement strongly condemning the killing of security forces by supporters of Khan's party, Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI). Security forces fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Khan supporters after thousands defied roadblocks to march some 150 kilometers from the northwest toward Islamabad despite a lockdown and a ban on public gatherings. PTI claimed on X that the police in Islamabad fired directly at protestors and published a video in which a top Karachi official said that in the history of Pakistan there has not been an injustice equal to what he says is going on in Islamabad. The city has been locked down since late on November 23 and mobile Internet services have been sporadically cut. The Islamabad city administration last week announced a two-month ban on public gatherings, but convoys of Khan supporters traveled from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province determined to enter the city. The leadership of PTI went ahead with their plans to travel to the capital even as Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka arrived for a three-day visit. He was received at an airport near the capital by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late on November 25. Meanwhile, the government was in talks with Khan's party to avoid any further violence, officials said. Naqvi told reporters that the government was willing to allow Khan supporters to rally on the outskirts of Islamabad, but he threatened extreme measures if they entered the city to protest. PTI's chief demand is the release of Khan, who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. The 72-year-old former cricket superstar turned politician, has been in jail for more than a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, although he enjoys huge popularity among Pakistanis. PTI has said the cases are politically motivated. PTI has defied a government crackdown since Khan was barred from running in elections in February with regular demonstrations aiming to seize public spaces in Islamabad and other large cities. The party is also protesting alleged tampering in the February polls and a recent government-backed constitutional amendment giving it more power over the courts, where Khan is tangled in dozens of cases. Sharif's government has come under increasing criticism for deploying heavy-handed measures to quash PTI's protests. The protests have largely cut off Islamabad from the rest of the country, with travel to other parts of Pakistan almost at a standstill. The key Grand Trunk Road highway in Punjab Province has been blocked by authorities with shipping containers, prompting protesters to use heavy machinery to remove the containers. Thousands of protesters calling for the release of former Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan defied roadblocks and tear gas on November 25 to march toward Islamabad despite a lockdown and a ban on public gatherings. Protesters clashed early on November 26 with police firing tear gas and rubber bullets at Khan supporters to stop them from entering the capital. The government said one police officer had been killed and dozens were critically wounded in clashes with demonstrators as they closed in on Islamabad. Islamabad has been locked down since late on November 23 and mobile Internet services have been sporadically cut. The Islamabad city administration last week announced a two-month ban on public gatherings, but convoys of Khan supporters traveled from the northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province determined to enter the city. Security officials say they expected between 9,000 and 11,000 demonstrators, while Khan's party, Pakistan Tehrik-e Insaf (PTI), said the number would be much higher. Video on social media showed Khan supporters donning gas masks and protective goggles. The leadership of Khan's party went ahead with their plans to travel to the capital even as Belarusian President Alyaksandr Lukashenka arrived for a three-day visit. He was received at an airport near the capital by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif late on November 25. Meanwhile, the government was in talks with Khan's party to avoid any further violence, officials said. Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi told reporters that the government was willing to allow Khan supporters to rally on the outskirts of Islamabad, but he threatened extreme measures if they entered the city to protest. Khan, who has been in jail for over a year and faces more than 150 criminal cases, remains popular. PTI has said the cases are politically motivated. PTI has defied a government crackdown since Khan was barred from running in elections in February with regular demonstrations aiming to seize public spaces in Islamabad and other large cities. PTI's chief demand is the release of Khan, the charismatic, 72-year-old former cricket star who served as prime minister from 2018 to 2022. The party is also protesting alleged tampering in the February polls and a recent government-backed constitutional amendment giving it more power over the courts, where Khan is tangled in dozens of cases. Sharif's government has come under increasing criticism for deploying heavy-handed measures to quash PTI's protests. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said the deadly crash of a cargo plane in Lithuania on November 25 could have been a " hybrid incident " with outside involvement. "We must now seriously ask ourselves whether this was an accident or whether it was another hybrid incident," Baerbock told reporters at a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy. "We have recently seen multiple hybrid attacks in Europe, often targeting individuals and infrastructure, whether underwater or hard infrastructure," she said, alluding to the recent severing of telecom cables in the Baltic Sea that officials have said could have been sabotage. German authorities are working very closely with the Lithuanian authorities to get to the bottom of the crash, she added. Lithuanian authorities have so far stopped short of making the same link. "We cannot reject the possibility of terrorism.... But at the moment we can't make attributions or point fingers because we don't have such information," Lithuanian counterintelligence chief Darius Jauniskis told reporters. Marius Baranauskas, head of the Lithuanian National Aviation Authority, said the communications between the pilots and the control tower indicated nothing extraordinary, adding that investigators need to examine the black-box recordings to know what was happening in the aircraft. Many Western intelligence agencies have accused Moscow of involvement in sabotage acts in Europe, which they have said are aimed at destabilizing allies of Ukraine as it relies on Western governments in its war against Russia's full-scale invasion. The cargo plane, which belonged to global courier DHL, crashed as it attempted to land at Vilnius airport, killing the jet's Spanish pilot and injuring another Spanish crew member, a German, and a Lithuanian, according to airport and police officials cited by Reuters. At least one of the injured was in critical condition. The plane, a Boeing 737-400 jet that had departed Leipzig, Germany, about 90 minutes before the crash, hit several buildings as it skidded hundreds meters, according to the police and DHL. A spokesperson for the governmental National Crisis Management Center said one of the buildings hit was a house whose occupants survived. Firefighters were not able to determine whether the plane began burning or breaking up while still in the air, and authorities were still looking for the black boxes that record flight data. A DHL statement said the plane "made a forced landing" about 1 kilometer from the Vilnius airport and the cause of the crash was still unknown. Lithuanian Commissioner-General of Police Arunas Paulauskas said surviving crew members told investigators there was no smoke, fire, or other emergency situation in the cabin prior to the crash. He also said the probability of an external force impact was very low. The crash came after a series of fires at DHL depots in Britain and Germany during the summer. Western security officials were quoted in a news report earlier this month linking the fires to a test run of an alleged Russian operation aimed at igniting fires on cargo or passenger aircraft bound for North America. The Wall Street Journal quoted security officials as saying that devices that ignited in July in DHL depots in Leipzig and the British city of Birmingham were part of the test run. Last month, Polish officials said four people had been detained as a result of the investigation into parcels that caught fire while en route to United States and Canada. The activities of the four people "consisted of sabotage and diversion related to sending parcels containing camouflaged explosives and dangerous materials via courier companies to European Union countries and Great Britain, which spontaneously ignited or detonated during land and air transport," Polish prosecutors said in a statement on October 25. "The group's goal was also to test the transfer channel for such parcels, which were ultimately to be sent to the United States of America and Canada," the statement said, adding that foreign intelligence services were to blame. The statement did not directly accuse Russia of involvement. Canada in early November expressed concern to Russian officials after he arrests were announced. Russia responded by summoning a Canadian diplomat on November 8 to rebut allegations that Russia's secret services had orchestrated the campaign to mail explosive packages . Serbian lawmakers scuffled in parliament on November 25 after opposition members accused the ruling coalition of failing to address the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station in Serbia's second-largest city earlier this month. A scuffle broke out after Radomir Lazovic, a member of the opposition Green-Left Front party, placed a poster showing a red hand imprint with the words "You have blood on your hands" on the speaker's platform. After Health Minister Zatibor Loncar approached Lazovic and started arguing, other deputies rushed in shouting, pulling, and hitting one another. Lazovic told N1 television that he was "attacked" by Loncar, and after a fight with him, there was a "general fight" in the assembly hall. Lazovic said several deputies were injured. The audio of the parliament's internal broadcast was turned off, so it was not possible to hear what the deputies were saying to each other. They were separated by security guards. While the government accused the opposition of trying to "seize power by force," opposition members said they were also attacked by government representatives in the hall of the parliament building and accused them of starting the fight. The collapse of the concrete canopy on November 1 at the station in Novi Sad has turned into a political headache for President Aleksandar Vucic and his ruling party. The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad announced on November 21 that 11 people had been arrested. The huge canopy collapsed on November 1, killing 15 people and seriously injuring another two. The accident occurred after the railway station, built in 1964, had been renovated twice in recent years by the consortium China Railway International and China Communications Construction Company. The most recent renovation was included in a project involving several companies that were in charge of the expert supervision of the reconstruction of the railway line from Novi Sad to the border with Hungary. The main contractor for the project was the company Project Biro Utiber of Novi Sad. The opposition has called on Prime Minister Milos Vucevic, who was mayor of Novi Sad when construction started, to resign. The ruling coalition denies the allegations and accuses the opposition of triggering clashes with police in protests at the station. The parliament was due to debate the 2025 budget on November 25, but the opposition demanded a debate on the collapse of the canopy. They also filed a no-confidence motion against the government, but speaker Ana Brnabic said it would not be on the agenda. The session was interrupted for almost two hours before resuming, but opposition deputies continued disrupting the session as Brnabic spoke surrounded by security guards who prevented opposition legislators from approaching her. "This is what freedom of speech looks like in their interpretation," Brnabic said as opposition deputies blew whistles in the hall. Brnabic accused the opposition of an "attempt to seize power by force." She told reporters at a news conference that opposition deputies damaged a microphone and a monitor in the hall after the session was adjourned. The session began with a minute of silence for those killed in at the railway station and with Brnabic asking that the session be dignified. "Unfortunately, this is anything but a dignified tribute to the deceased and their families," Brnabic said at the news conference. Nikita Zhuravel, a Russian political prisoner who was beaten by the teenage son of Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov while in pretrial detention, has been sentenced to 13 1/2 years in prison for high treason. The Volgograd regional court sentenced the 20-year-old Zhuravel on November 25 after finding him guilty of sending a video to a representative of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) that allegedly contained footage of military equipment being transported by train, images of military aircraft, and details of a service vehicle's movements. Zhuravel is already serving a 3 1/2-year prison sentence handed down by a court in Chechnya in February after being convicted of hooliganism for publicly burning a Koran in his hometown of Volgograd. He was also sentenced to 300 hours of community service for insulting religious believers. It was not immediately clear whether the sentences would be served concurrently or consecutively. During the trial, Zhuravel apologized to the Muslim community, acknowledging his actions but claiming he had no intention of offending anyone. The case drew widespread attention when it was revealed that while Zhuravel was in custody in Chechnya, he was attacked by Adam Kadyrov, the then-15-year-old son of Ramzan Kadyrov. A video of the assault in a jail was shared on social media by the elder Kadyrov, sparking public outrage. Despite this, law enforcement in Chechnya declined to pursue a criminal investigation, citing a lack of evidence. Kadyrov defended his son's actions, publicly stating that it would have been better if his son had killed Zhuravel. Adam Kadyrov was later awarded the title of "Hero of the Republic of Chechnya," the highest honor in the region, and received further accolades from several Russian regions. The human rights group Memorial has recognized Zhuravel as a political prisoner, raising doubts about the Koran-burning accusations and criticizing his transfer from Volgograd to mostly Muslim-populated Chechnya for investigation and trial. The organization has also condemned the violence Zhuravel endured in detention as a serious legal violation. RFE/RL journalist Andrey Kuznechyk marked his third year in prison on November 25 on charges , he, his employer, and human rights organizations call politically motivated. Kuznechyk, a father of two, was arrested on November 25, 2021, and initially sentenced to 10 days in jail on hooliganism charges that he rejected. After serving that penalty, Kuznechyk was not released but charged with creating an extremist group, a move that officials didn't reveal to Kuznechyk's relatives and colleagues for months. On June 8, 2022, the Mahilyou regional court in the country's east found Kuznechyk guilty and sentenced him to six years in prison. The trial lasted just one day. Human rights groups in Belarus have recognized Kuznechyk, who works for RFE/RL's Belarus Service , known locally as Radio Svaboda, as a political prisoner. Kuznechyk, who has maintained his innocence, and some 150 other Belarusian political prisoners, including another RFE/RL journalist, Ihar Losik, and former would-be presidential candidate Viktar Babaryka, are serving sentences at the same prison in the northern city of Navapolatsk. The facility is known as one of the most restrictive penitentiaries in the country. Initially, the site was occupied by a number of temporary houses built for workers at a then-newly built oil refinery in 1958. The territory was later turned into a prison where mostly members of organized criminal groups, noted crime kingpins, and so-called thieves-in-law served their terms. Belarusian authorities started sending political prisoners there in 2010. Since a disputed August 2020 presidential election sparked mass protests over authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka's victory, tens of thousands of Belarusians have been arrested for voicing any dissent against the regime. The crackdown has pushed most opposition politicians, who say the vote was rigged, to leave the country fearing for their safety and freedom. Many Western governments have refused to recognize the results of the election and do not consider Lukashenka to be the country's legitimate leader. Many countries have imposed several rounds of sanctions against his regime in response to the suppression of dissent in the country. Kuznechyk is one of three RFE/RL journalists -- Losik and Vladyslav Yesypenko are the other two -- currently imprisoned on charges related to their work. Rights groups and RFE/RL have called repeatedly for the release of all three, saying they have been wrongly detained. Losik is a blogger and contributor for RFE/RL’s Belarus Service who was convicted in December 2021 on several charges including the "organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order" and sentenced to 15 years in prison. Yesypenko, a dual Ukrainian-Russian citizen who contributed to Crimea.Realities, a regional news outlet of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, was sentenced in February 2022 to six years in prison by a Russian judge in occupied Crimea after a closed-door trial. He was convicted of “possession and transport of explosives,” a charge he steadfastly denies. A British national fighting for Ukraine has reportedly been captured by Russian forces in Russia's Kursk region, marking a significant development in the ongoing war. A video released on pro-Russian Telegram channels and TASS news agency over the weekend shows a man in a military uniform identifying himself as 22-year-old James Scott Rhys Anderson from the United Kingdom. Speaking with a clear English accent, Anderson says he previously served as a signalman in the British Army until 2023 and later joined Ukraine's International Legion to fight against Russia. The footage has not been independently verified, and it remains unclear when or where the video was recorded. Anderson's alleged capture highlights the broader involvement of foreign volunteers in Ukraine's resistance against Russia. Since Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's 2022 call for international recruits, thousands of fighters have joined the conflict, many enlisting in the International Legion, a highly selective unit integrated into Ukraine's ground forces. The British man's capture also comes amid shifting dynamics in the Kursk region. While Ukraine initially gained significant ground in its August offensive, recent reports suggest it has lost over 40 percent of the territory it seized. Russia’s apparent use of North Korean soldiers in the region and its push to reclaim lost ground signal a deepening of the war, while Ukraine’s cross-border operations represent a bold challenge to Moscow’s defenses. As the war drags on, the fate of foreign fighters like Anderson remains emblematic of the broader stakes and human costs of this conflict. The United Arab Emirates on November 25 disclosed the names of three suspects detained in the killing of a 28-year-old Israeli-Moldovan ultra-Orthodox rabbi saying they were Uzbek nationals. The suspects were arrested a day earlier after the body of Zvi Kogan, who ran a Kosher grocery store in Dubai and was also a representative of the Orthodox Jewish group Chabad, was discovered by security services. U.A.E. authorities identified the suspects as Mahmudjon Abdurahim, 28, Olimboi Tohirovich, 28, and Azizbek Kamilovich, 33, apparently giving patronymic names of the last two men instead their last names. They did not say if official charges have been filed against the suspects. "Hate has no place in our world. Our thoughts are with his family, the Jewish community, and all who grieve. We are in contact with Israel and the U.A.E.," Moldovan President Maia Sandu said in a statement . Kogan had been reported missing on November 22. His body was found later in the city of Al Ain. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denounced the killing of Kogan, calling it a "heinous anti-Semitic terrorist act." While Israeli officials have not publicly accused archrival Iran for the deadly attack, analysts noted that Tehran has been threatening retaliation against Israel for recent air strikes it carried out on Iranian soil after Iran launched a missile attack against Israel. Tehran has denied any involvement in the murder of Kogan. The Muslim-majority Gulf state with an overwhelmingly expatriate population prides itself on its safety, stability, and religious tolerance. The Chabad Hasidic movement is known for its outreach efforts worldwide. The U.A.E. normalized relations with Israel in 2020 alongside Bahrain and Morocco in a series of U.S.-brokered agreements known as the Abraham Accords. There is no figure for the number of Jews in the U.A.E., but an Israeli official has told AFP there were about 2,000 Israelis in the Gulf country, with the Jewish community estimated to be up to twice that figure. The White House also condemned the killing on November 24. "This was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence. It was an assault as well on U.A.E. and its rejection of violent extremism across the board," the White House said in a statement on November 24. Georgia's new parliament met for its first session since the Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party won elections last month that ignited calls for fresh polls amid accusations the balloting was rigged, as protesters gathered outside and pelted the building with eggs. Opposition lawmakers boycotted the session on November 25 after calling on foreign diplomats not to legitimize the new parliament by attending the first session. EU and other Western officials have expressed serious doubts about the October 26 elections in which Georgian Dream officially won 53.9 percent of the vote. The first item on the agenda for the opening session, which will be attended by the head of the Central Election Commission (CEC), is recognizing the authority of all 150 parliament members. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili, however, has refused to recognize the result validated by the CEC. Zurabishvili has filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court "requesting annulment of the election results as unconstitutional." Protesters allege there was widespread fraud during the campaign and vote and that Russia heavily influenced the outcome favoring Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012. They gathered outside the parliament but were not able to block the entrance amid a heavy police presence. "Black Monday in Georgia: Police...guarding the doors behind which 'Georgian Dream slaves' are killing our Constitution and making a mockery of our Parliament," Zurabishvili said in a post on X. Police have moved quickly -- sometimes using violence -- to shut down previous demonstrations, but no altercations were reported on November 25. Georgian Dream's billionaire founder and "honorary chairman," Bidzina Ivanishvili, attended the session and holds the right to nominate a prime minister. Ivanishvili, who is widely regarded as dominating the government even though he does not hold an official position, is expected to push for lawmakers to approve current Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to continue as head of the government. Georgia has been a candidate for EU membership since last year, but a "foreign influence" law and anti-LGBT measures enacted under Georgian Dream's leadership have stalled that effort. The United States in July announced it would pause more than $95 million in assistance to the Georgian government, warning that it was backsliding on democracy. Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant for alleged crimes against humanity during the conflict in Gaza are "not enough." Khamenei told a gathering of the Basij volunteer corps on November 25 that the two Israeli leaders should face the death penalty. ICC prosecutor Karim Khan issued the warrant and judges said there were "reasonable grounds" to believe Netanyahu and Gallant "intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival" as part of a "widespread and systematic attack against the civilian population of Gaza." Israel has called the warrants "absurd." The current war in the Gaza Strip was sparked by an attack on Israel by Iran-backed Hamas, a group designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the EU. Some 1,200 people died in the attack, with around 240 more taken hostage back to Gaza. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Radio Farda, click here . Ukraine's military said it struck an oil depot overnight in Russia's western Kaluga region and "a number of important targets" in two other Russian regions after Russia shelled the center of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a statement on social media that the early morning attacks focused on Bryansk, Kaluga, and Kursk. "There is confirmation of a successful impact of the oil base in the Kaluga region," it said. Vladislav Shapsha, the governor of Kaluga, said on Telegram that eight Ukrainian drones were shot down in the region, with debris from one of the downed drones sparking a fire at an industrial site. The fire has been extinguished, and no casualties were reported, Shapsha said. Unconfirmed reports from the Telegram channels Ostorozhno, novosti , and Baza claim the fire affected a tank at a local oil depot and the Kaluga instrument-making plant Typhoon. Videos allegedly showing the fire at the refinery have surfaced online, though official verification is pending. The attack came as the mayor of Ukraine's second-largest city, Kharkiv, said at least 15 people were wounded in an attack that targeted residential areas, adding to the series of strikes the city has faced in recent weeks that have caused significant casualties and damage to civil and energy infrastructure. In Ukraine’s southern Mykolayiv region, Russian strikes hit energy infrastructure overnight, regional Governor Vitaliy Kim reported. Engineers managed to restore power to most affected areas, and no casualties were reported. Meanwhile, in the southeastern Zaporizhzhya region, Russian forces launched attacks on industrial facilities using "dozens of drones," according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov. One child was reportedly wounded in these strikes. Sources at the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense (HUR) told Ukrayinska pravda that the attack on the Kaluga oil depot was planned by Ukrainian special services. The targeted depot is reportedly linked to Russia’s military operations against Ukraine. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that on the night of November 25, air-defense systems intercepted and destroyed 23 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions. These included eight drones over Kaluga, seven over Kursk, five over Bryansk, and three over Belgorod, the ministry said. The overnight strikes highlight the growing intensity of Ukraine's efforts to stop Russia's ongoing invasion that Moscow launched in February 2022. The situation continues to evolve as both sides accuse the other of escalating the violence. BUCHAREST -- Pro-Russian far-right candidate Calin Georgescu has won a surprise victory in the first round of EU and NATO member Romania's presidential vote and will face pro-Western center-right candidate Elena Lasconi in the December 8 runoff. Complete preliminary results of the November 24 election showed independent Georgescu -- who has been criticized for his anti-NATO and anti-Semitic statements -- won with 22.94 percent of the vote. Lasconi, a former TV journalist and small-town mayor for the center-right Save Romania Union (USR), trailed in early results reporting, but edged ahead of the initial favorite, leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. With 19.17 percent of the vote, Lasconi advanced by a wafer-thin margin over Ciolacu's 19.15 percent, which prompted Ciolacu to concede and announce his resignation as leader of the Social Democratic Party (PSD). The margin between the two was just 2,742 votes. "I sent a message to Mrs. Lasconi and extended my congratulations," Ciolacu told the media. Ciolacu's third-place finish means that for the first time since 1989, the PSD, the heir to Romania's Communist Party, won't have a candidate in the presidential runoff. Lasconi has yet to declare victory, telling journalists just that "it's been devilishly difficult." Hundreds of pro-Lasconi protesters, mostly students and other young people, demonstrated on the evening of November 25 in downtown Bucharest on University Square in front of the National Theater to show their dissatisfaction with Georgescu. They shouted, "Do not vote for a dictator" as they gathered peacefully, though there was a minor incident with a pro-Georgescu supporter carrying a Bible. Georgescu frequently quoted biblical phrases in his campaign. When the man appeared in front of the demonstrators, they booed him and he started running between cars on the road. Romanian police said he tried to provoke the demonstrators. Police officers intervened to prevent a possible conflict, the police said in a statement. The man tried to flee and was "immobilized and taken to the police station," the statement said. The protest continued without further incident. Some demonstrators expressed surprise that Georgescu came first in the elections. "Like everyone else, I expected this man to take what he had in the polls, somewhere around 5 percent," Alex Zlavog said. "It was a surprise, and I think we have to ask ourselves very serious problems about polling agencies and what happens with these polls." Georgescu thanked his voters, telling them, "Your voice was heard." He also rejected the accusations of extremism and fascism, saying they were "totally false" and he is "completely dedicated to the Romanian people." The runoff will be held a week after the parliamentary elections on December 1 -- a faceoff the media is portraying as a battle between East and West. George Simion of the ultranationalist Alliance for the Unity of Romanians (AUR) had 13.86 percent, a surprisingly low score after many predicted he would advance to the runoff together with Ciolacu. Critics have charged Simion with also being Russian-friendly and, while he wants Romania to remain in NATO, he has also said Bucharest should be neutral. The winner of the second round will succeed the outgoing center-right incumbent, Klaus Iohannis, who is completing his second and final term after a decade in office. Fourteen candidates officially registered in the race, but liberal ex-Prime Minister Ludovic Orban last week announced he was withdrawing and threw his weight behind Lasconi. Election officials put the turnout at just over 52 percent, or about 9.44 million voters casting their ballots. In 2019, total first-round turnout was 51.18 percent. In the second round, it rose to 55.1 percent. Georgescu, an obscure figure who held positions in Romania's Foreign Ministry and at the UN environmental agency UNEP, started as a member of AUR and was twice put forward as a possible prime minister by Simion's party. But Georgescu's anti-Semitic statements made him too radical even for AUR, which eventually broke with him when the authorities opened a criminal investigation on his radical views. However, even without the overt backing of a party, Georgescu performed unexpectedly well both inside the country and in Romania's Western diaspora, where he took more than 43 percent of the vote, ostensibly by using the TikTok social media platform to call for an end to Romania's aid to Ukraine. Under the incumbent Iohannis, Romania has turned into a key ally of Ukraine, not only providing training and military equipment but playing a key role in transporting Ukrainian grain and other agricultural goods to global markets. The 62-year-old, who has been criticized in the Romanian media for his pro-Russian and anti-NATO statements, claimed his shocking victory was a vote for "peace," echoing statements by other pro-Moscow European leaders such as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. "Tonight, the Romanian people cried out for peace. And they shouted very loudly, extremely loudly", he said late on November 24. In previous interviews, Georgescu urged closer ties with Moscow, claiming that "Russian wisdom" was Romania's best chance, although he has not publicly backed Russia's war in Ukraine. Asked about Georgescu's upset victory, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on November 25 said Russia did not know much about him or his opinions. "I would not make any predictions yet. We probably cannot say that we are that familiar with the world view of this candidate as far as relations with our country are concerned." Lasconi, a former small-town mayor and TV journalist, was the only presidential candidate who opposed the idea of Ukraine giving up land to Russia in a peace deal, saying doing so would embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin. "If Ukraine cedes territory, Putin won't stop," she had said. "We need to help Ukraine win this war," she said during the only presidential debate, held last week. She was also the most bullish among the top candidates on NATO, calling for the military alliance to have a greater presence in Romania. Lasconi garnered 56 percent of the Romanian vote in Moldova, where more than 80,000 Romanian passport holders showed up to vote. Moldova was part of Romania before World War II and the countries share a common language and history. Many Moldovans have acquired Romanian citizenship, which gives them the right to travel and work in the West. Some analysts said Georgescu's shock victory was also a result of mounting disillusion with Romania's entrenched political elites among young Romanians, many of whom leave the country because of what they say is a lack of opportunities. Rima, a voter at a Bucharest polling station, told RFE/RL, "There should be more opportunities for young people, so we don't have to leave the country after we graduate from high school or college." "The president should be more open-minded on some topics, especially international ones. That's what I want: to live in a free country where we as young people have a voice," she said, without specifying her candidate. Romania's president has significant decision-making powers, including on matters of national security and foreign policy. Elected for a five-year term, the president can also reject party nominees for prime minister and government nominees for judicial appointments. The White House has condemned the killing in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi in an assault that Israel called an anti-Semitic "terrorist attack." "This was a horrific crime against all those who stand for peace, tolerance, and coexistence. It was an assault as well on UAE and its rejection of violent extremism across the board," the White House said in a statement on November 24. Hours earlier, U.A.E. authorities said three suspects have been arrested in the killing of a man identified as Zvi Kogan, who worked in the U.A.E. for the Orthodox Jewish group Chabad, which supports Jewish visitors and residents in the country. The victim had been reported missing on November 22. His body was found in the city of Al Ain near the Omani border, but it was not clear where he had been killed. The U.A.E. Interior Ministry did not provide further details on the suspects held in the matter. The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced the killing of the 28-year-old rabbi, calling it a "heinous anti-Semitic terrorist act." Moldova's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it is "in contact with the authorities of the United Arab Emirates to clarify the circumstances of this case." It gave no further details. According to Reuters, Iran quickly rejected any implication that it was involved in the killing. The Iranian embassy in the UAE "categorically rejects the allegations of Iran’s involvement in the murder of this individual," the news agency quoted the embassy as saying. Authorities in the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) on November 24 said three suspects have been arrested in the killing of an Israeli-Moldovan rabbi in an assault that Israel called an anti-Semitic "terrorist attack." The victim, who was reported missing on November 22, was identified as Zvi Kogan, who worked in the U.A.E. for the Orthodox Jewish group Chabad, which supports Jewish visitors and residents in the country. His body was found in the city of Al Ain near the Omani border, but it was not clear where he had been killed. The U.A.E. Interior Ministry did not provide further details on the suspects held in the matter. The first train carrying goods from China to Afghanistan arrived in Mazar-e Sharif on November 23 after crossing through Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, the de facto Taliban rulers said. The Taliban said 55 containers arrived in Afghanistan after a 22-day journey, marking the inauguration of the first direct train link between China and Taliban-ruled Afghanistan. The train is expected to take Afghan goods back to China for sale there. Since the Taliban returned to power in August 2021, no country, including China, has formally recognized the extremist group -- which has been accused of massive rights violations -- but Beijing has attempted to increase ties as part of its economic push in the region, including its Belt and Road initiative. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Radio Azadi, click here . Aleksandr Darchiyev is slated soon to be appointed as Russia's ambassador to Washington, the Kommersant newspaper reported on November 24, citing three unidentified sources. Darchiyev, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry's North American section, was ambassador to Canada from October 2014 to January 2021. He would succeed Anatoly Antonov, who concluded his term in October. The move would come at a time of high tensions between Washington and Moscow and just ahead of the return of Donald Trump to the presidency on January 20. The United States, under President Joe Biden, has been the top foreign supporter of Ukraine in its battle against Russia's full-scale invasion, while Trump has suggested aid could be curtailed. The Financial Times reports that Russia has recruited hundreds of Yemeni men to fight in Ukraine, lured by the promise of high salaries and potential Russian citizenship. The November 23 report said they were helped by a Huthi-linked company to travel to Russia, then forcibly inducted into the Russian Army and sent to the front lines in Ukraine . The report said the action illustrates how the Kremlin is desperately trying to avoid a full mobilization of its society by using foreign fighters following reports that North Korea has sent thousands of soldiers to train and fight alongside Russian forces.FRISCO, Texas — The Dallas Cowboys are shutting down CeeDee Lamb with two games remaining after their 2023 All-Pro receiver spent the second half of the season dealing with a sprained right shoulder. The team said Thursday that additional exams revealed enough damage to keep Lamb off the field Sunday at Philadelphia and in the final game at home against Washington. The team said surgery was not expected to be required. Dallas was eliminated from playoff contention a few hours before last weekend's 26-24 victory over Tampa Bay. The decision on Lamb means the Cowboys will finish the regular season with at least five former Pro Bowlers on injured reserve. Among the others are quarterback Dak Prescott, who was limited to eight games before a season-ending hamstring tear, and right guard Zack Martin. The seven-time All-Pro made it through 10 games before deciding on season-ending ankle surgery. Lamb initially injured his right shoulder when it hit the turf hard twice in a 27-21 loss at Atlanta on Nov. 3. He kept playing and had at least 100 yards in each of his last two games — both victories — before getting shut down. The 25-year-old Lamb sat out the entire offseason and preseason in a contract dispute. The holdout finally ended with a $136 million, four-year extension in late August, but neither the Cowboys nor their star receiver could get that production going again this season. Dallas (7-8) is missing the playoffs for the first time since 2020, Lamb's rookie year. Lamb finishes the season with 101 catches for 1,194 yards and six TDs. Wednesday's doubleheader on Netflix set records as the most-streamed NFL games in U.S. history, with numbers nearly five times more than the NBA. The Baltimore Ravens' 31-2 victory over the Houston Texans averaged 24.3 million while Kansas City's 29-10 win at Pittsburgh averaged 24.1 according to early viewer figures released by Nielsen on Thursday. Nielsen also said there were 65 million U.S. viewers who tuned in for at least one minute of one of the two games. Both NFL games surpassed the previous mark of 23 million for last season's AFC wild-card game between the Miami Dolphins and Chiefs on Peacock. The viewer figures include the audience on Netflix, mobile viewership on NFL+ and those who tuned in on CBS stations in Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Baltimore and Houston. The Seattle Seahawks placed running back Kenneth Walker III on injured reserve before their game against the Chicago Bears on Thursday because of an ankle injury. Walker hurt his ankle in last week's loss to Minnesota and left that game after sitting out the previous two because of a calf problem. He also missed two weeks in September with an oblique issue. Walker ran for 573 yards and seven touchdowns on 153 carries. The Detroit Lions are bringing back Teddy Bridgewater to give the team a veteran backup quarterback for their playoff run. Coach Dan Campbell said Thursday that the team signed Bridgewater as another backup with second-year player Hendon Hooker behind starter Jared Goff. The Lions have clinched a playoff spot and can earn the top seed in the NFC with two more wins. Bridgewater, who was the backup in Detroit for the 2023 season, spent the fall coaching at his high school alma mater, leading Miami Northwestern High to the Florida Class 3A state title. Hooker has played in three games this season, completing 6 of 9 passes for 62 yards. San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan expressed confidence in second-year kicker Jake Moody on Thursday, attributing some of the struggles to a high ankle sprain he suffered in his kicking leg earlier in the season. Moody, a third-round draft pick in 2023, missed his sixth field goal in the past seven games last week, leading to questions about whether the 49ers will need to replace him or at least bring in competition for next season. "I still feel the same about him, that I believe he is going to be our guy," Shanahan said. Cornerback Riley Moss is "good to go" for the Denver Broncos' crucial game at Cincinnati on Saturday. "He's doing good," coach Sean Payton said Thursday. "He'll be ready to go." The Broncos (9-6), who would end their eight-year playoff drought with a win or a tie against the Bengals (7-8), have sorely missed the second-year pro from Iowa since he sprained an MCL against Las Vegas in Week 12. The Broncos allowed 26.3 points per game during his absence. With Moss in the lineup opposite superstar Patrick Surtain II, Denver gave up just 16.8 points per game. BRIEFLY JETS: Receiver Davante Adams sat out practice Thursday with a hip ailment that makes his status for the game Sunday at Buffalo uncertain. EAGLES: Dealing with injuries to both quarterbacks Jalen Hurts and Kenny Pickett, Philadelphia signed Ian Book to its practice squad. It’s unclear if he’ll be elevated to the active roster for Sunday's game against the Dallas Cowboys. VIKINGS: Minnesota's defense appears set to return three players — safety Harrison Smith (foot), linebacker Ivan Pace Jr.(hamstring), and defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (concussion) — for Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers after all three practiced fully Thursday. Pace, who has missed the past four games, appears in line to be activated from injured reserve. Get local news delivered to your inbox!AP Top 25: Alabama, Mississippi out of top 10 and Miami, SMU are in; Oregon remains unanimous No. 1 Alabama and Mississippi tumbled out of the top 10 of The Associated Press college football poll and Miami and SMU moved in following a chaotic weekend in the SEC. Oregon is No. 1 for the sixth straight week and Ohio State, Texas and Penn State held their places behind the Ducks. The shuffling begins at No. 5, where Notre Dame returned for the first time since Week 2 after beating Army for its ninth straight win. No. 6 Georgia and No. 7 Tennessee each moved up two spots. Miami, SMU and Indiana round out the top 10. Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup title MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Jannik Sinner clinched Italy's second consecutive Davis Cup title and capped his breakthrough season at the top of tennis by beating Tallon Griekspoor 7-6 (2), 6-2 for a 2-0 win over the Netherlands in the final of the team competition in Malaga, Spain. Matteo Berrettini won Sunday's opening singles match 6-4, 6-2 against Botic van de Zandschulp. The Italians are the first country to win the Davis Cup twice in a row since the Czech Republic in 2012 and 2013. The No. 1-ranked Sinner stretched his unbeaten streak in singles to 14 matches and 26 sets. Netherlands reached the Davis Cup final for the first time. Chuck Woolery, smooth-talking game show host of 'Love Connection' and 'Scrabble,' dies at 83 NEW YORK (AP) — Chuck Woolery, the affable, smooth-talking game show host of “Wheel of Fortune,” “Love Connection” and “Scrabble” who later became a right-wing podcaster, skewering liberals and accusing the government of lying about COVID-19, has died. He was 83. Mark Young, Woolery’s podcast co-host and friend, said in an email early Sunday that Woolery died at his home in Texas with his wife, Kristen, present. Woolery, with his matinee idol looks, coiffed hair and ease with witty banter, was inducted into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007 and earned a daytime Emmy nomination in 1978. He teamed up with Young for the podcast “Blunt Force Truth” and became a full supporter Donald Trump. St. Louis Blues fire Drew Bannister and hire Jim Montgomery as coach The St. Louis Blues have fired coach Drew Bannister and hired Jim Montgomery as his replacement. The 2022 Jack Adams Award winner, Montgomery joins the Blues five days after he was fired by the Boston Bruins. Bannister had been on the job in St. Louis for less than a year since succeeding Stanley Cup-winning coach Craig Berube and getting the interim tag removed after last season. The Blues have lost 13 of their first 22 games. Montgomery spent two seasons as an assistant on Berube's staff in St. Louis between coaching Dallas and Boston. The team signed Montgomery to a five-year contract. Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title with the Atlanta Braves, dies at 85 Rico Carty, who won the 1970 NL batting title when he hit a major league-best .366 for the Atlanta Braves, has died. He was 85. Major League Baseball, the players’ association and the Braves have paid tribute to Carty on social media. A family friend told Listín Diario — a newspaper in Carty’s native Dominican Republic — that he died Saturday night in an Atlanta hospital. Carty made his big league debut with the Braves in September 1963. He batted .330 with 22 homers and 88 RBIs in his first full season in 1964, finishing second to Dick Allen in voting for NL Rookie of the Year. The Braves moved from Milwaukee to Atlanta after the 1965 season, and Carty got the franchise’s first hit in its new home on April 12, 1966, against Pittsburgh. Dartmouth sorority, two members of fraternity face charges after student who attended party drowned HANOVER, N.H. (AP) — A sorority at Dartmouth College and two members of a fraternity faces charges related to the death of a student who drowned after attending an off-campus party. The Hanover, New Hampshire police department, where Dartmouth is located, said Friday that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house. Two members of the Beta Alpha Omega face a charge of providing alcohol to a person under 21. Won Jang, 20, of Middletown, Delaware, had attended an off-campus party in July hosted by Alpha Phi sorority. Police said the alcohol was provided by Beta Alpha Omega. Tens of thousands of Spaniards protest housing crunch and high rents in Barcelona BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — Tens of thousands of Spaniards are marching in downtown Barcelona to protest the skyrocketing cost of renting an apartment in the popular tourist destination. Protesters cut off traffic on main avenues in the city center, holding up homemade signs in Spanish reading “Fewer apartments for investing and more homes for living." The lack of affordable housing has become one of the leading concerns for the southern European Union country, mirroring the housing crunch across many parts of the world, including the United States. The average rent for Spain has doubled in the last decade. In cities like Barcelona, rental prices have also been driven up by short-term renters including tourists. Verstappen captures 4th F1 championship after Mercedes sweep of Las Vegas Grand Prix LAS VEGAS (AP) — Max Verstappen cruised to a fourth consecutive Formula 1 championship Saturday night by finishing fifth in the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Verstappen needed only to finish ahead of Lando Norris of McLaren to give Red Bull a fourth straight driver championship. The Dutchman started fifth but was already up to second by the 10th lap around the street circuit that includes the famed Las Vegas Strip. Norris, who had to score at least three points more than Verstappen to extend the championship fight, finished sixth. The race was won by George Russell who was followed by Lewis Hamilton in the first 1-2 sweep for the Mercedes drivers since 2022. 'Wicked' and 'Gladiator' make gravity-defying theater debuts NEW YORK (AP) — “Wicked” and “Gladiator II” have debuted in theaters with a combined $270 million in ticket sales. Their worldwide performance breathed fresh life into global box office results that have struggled lately. Together the films turned the moviegoing weekend into one of the busiest of the year. Jon M. Chu’s lavish big-budget musical “Wicked,” starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, debuted with $114 million domestically and $164.2 million globally. Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” is a sequel to his 2000 best picture-winning original and launched with $55.5 million in ticket sales. “Moana 2” is being released Wednesday, so it looks like Hollywood might be looking at historic sales over the Thanksgiving holiday. Jason Kelce's wife announces she is pregnant with the couple's fourth child Former Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce's wife is announcing she's pregnant with the couple's fourth child. Kylie Kelce posted a photo on Instagram on Friday of the couple's three young daughters reacting to the news. The oldest daughter, Wyatt, appears to be cupping her head in shock. The middle daughter, Ellioette, is smiling. The youngest, Bennett, is in tears. A caption attached to the photo reads: “I feel like we captured a very accurate representation of how each of the girls feel about getting another sister. At least Ellie, mom and dad are on the same page!”
Victor Wembanyama plays 1-on-1 chess with fans in New YorkBEIJING , Dec. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc. (NASDAQ: WiMi) ("WiMi" or the "Company"), a leading global Hologram Augmented Reality ("AR") Technology provider, today announced the development of a Quantum Technology-Based Random Access Memory Architecture, known as QRAM. This architecture successfully implements fundamental logical operations such as AND, OR, NOT, and NOR gates in quantum logic gates by combining key basic operations in quantum computing, such as the CNOT gate, V gate, and V+ gate. Quantum Random Access Memory (QRAM) is a memory architecture specifically designed for quantum computing environments, with the core goal of enabling efficient reading and writing of information while maintaining the state of the quantum system. The design of QRAM is not only intended to leverage the parallel processing capabilities of quantum computing but also to utilize quantum properties such as superposition and entanglement to significantly enhance computational efficiency. In WiMi's QRAM architecture, the quantum CNOT gate, V gate, and V+ gate serve as the fundamental operation units. Each quantum operation is equivalent to certain logical operations in classical computing, but simultaneously leverages the properties of quantum states to achieve efficient computation. CNOT Gate (Controlled-NOT Gate): The CNOT gate is a crucial operation in quantum computing, used to control the relationship between two quantum bits (qubits). In classical computing, this is similar to the function of an XOR gate, but in the quantum environment, it allows qubits to exist in a superposition of states, enabling the simultaneous processing of multiple states. V Gate and V+ Gate: The V gate and V+ gate are quantum gates used to implement more complex logic. The operations of these two gates are similar to the AND and OR gates in classical computing. However, their advantage lies in the ability to process multiple potential outcomes in the quantum system simultaneously, without the need to evaluate each possibility separately. By combining these fundamental quantum gates, basic operations in quantum logic such as AND, OR, NOT, and NOR can be successfully implemented. This provides the necessary support for designing complex quantum circuits, while being more flexible and efficient compared to classical logic gates. One of the major advantages of the QRAM architecture is its full utilization of the properties of quantum superposition and quantum entanglement. In classical computing, memory read and write operations are linear and must be performed sequentially. However, in quantum computing, because qubits can exist in multiple states (superposition), parallel read and write operations can be performed simultaneously. This ability significantly enhances computational efficiency, especially when handling large-scale datasets or complex computational tasks. Additionally, quantum entanglement enables the correlation between multiple qubits without the need for direct communication, further improving the speed of data transfer and computation. Memory operations with entangled qubits are much faster and more efficient than traditional memory operations, opening up new possibilities for parallel computing. In WiMi's QRAM architecture, the entire design logic includes several key steps and technical nodes, such as quantum state-based random access, the introduction of quantum error correction mechanisms, and seamless integration with quantum computers. The core feature of QRAM is its ability to perform random access within a quantum system. Traditional computer RAM achieves reading and writing to memory units through address buses, data buses, and other components, whereas QRAM accomplishes this process through the states of quantum bits (qubits). By utilizing quantum superposition, multiple addresses can be accessed simultaneously in a single operation. This means that in a QRAM system, data can be accessed in parallel across multiple addresses, greatly improving the efficiency of data operations. To achieve this, WiMi has designed a system based on CNOT gates, V gates, and V+ gates. These quantum gates allow flexible control over memory access processes while maintaining the quantum state of the system and ensuring the efficient transmission of qubits in an entangled state. Through this system, QRAM not only enables high-speed data reading and writing, but also ensures the reliability and accuracy of information processing. Furthermore, error correction is crucial in any quantum computing system. Due to the fragile nature of qubit states, even small external disturbances can cause computational errors. Therefore, WiMi's QRAM architecture incorporates a quantum error correction mechanism to ensure that the qubit states are accurately preserved and transmitted during data reading and writing. This includes an error correction method based on quantum entanglement, where redundant entangled qubits are introduced to detect and correct potential errors. This method not only effectively reduces the impact of external noise on the system but also ensures the stability of data during multiple read operations. WiMi's QRAM design is intended to seamlessly integrate with quantum computers. Since quantum computing operations depend on the superposition and entanglement states of qubits, the QRAM system demonstrates high compatibility when interfacing with a quantum processing unit (QPU). The design ensures smooth transmission of qubits between memory and processor during data access, thereby significantly improving computational efficiency. By utilizing the V gate, V+ gate, and CNOT gate, WiMi's QRAM system can quickly execute quantum logic operations and, when handling complex computational tasks, can read and write data at near-real-time speeds. This makes QRAM a key component in large-scale quantum computing applications. The successful development of QRAM technology has had a revolutionary impact across multiple fields. As a critical component of quantum computers, QRAM will significantly enhance the overall performance of quantum computing systems. Its efficient parallel data access capabilities make it especially well-suited for handling large-scale computational tasks such as molecular simulations, climate modeling, and complex optimization problems. By significantly reducing computation time, QRAM will play an indispensable role in the future of high-performance quantum computing. Another important application of QRAM is in quantum communication and quantum encryption. By leveraging quantum entanglement, QRAM can enable high-speed data transmission while ensuring data security. The non-locality of quantum entanglement guarantees that data cannot be intercepted during transmission, providing a solid foundation for future quantum encryption technologies. With the development of quantum computing, the field of quantum machine learning has also gradually emerged. QRAM's efficient data access capabilities make it highly suitable for handling large-scale datasets, enabling model training to be completed in a shorter time. This will significantly advance the development of quantum artificial intelligence, allowing complex machine learning tasks to be solved quickly on quantum computers. As quantum technology continues to evolve, QRAM, as a core technology, will provide crucial support for the future of quantum computing. WiMi is committed to continuing the development of QRAM technology, continually optimizing its performance, reducing implementation costs, and expanding its applications across various industries. The successful development of QRAM technology marks an important step in the advancement of quantum computing. As quantum computers progress and quantum technologies mature, QRAM will become an indispensable core component of quantum computing systems. With the ongoing optimization and promotion of this technology, QRAM is expected to bring disruptive innovations across multiple fields and lay a solid foundation for the arrival of the quantum era. About WiMi Hologram Cloud WiMi Hologram Cloud, Inc. (NASDAQ:WiMi) is a holographic cloud comprehensive technical solution provider that focuses on professional areas including holographic AR automotive HUD software, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR, head-mounted light field holographic equipment, holographic semiconductor, holographic cloud software, holographic car navigation and others. Its services and holographic AR technologies include holographic AR automotive application, 3D holographic pulse LiDAR technology, holographic vision semiconductor technology, holographic software development, holographic AR advertising technology, holographic AR entertainment technology, holographic ARSDK payment, interactive holographic communication and other holographic AR technologies. Safe Harbor Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about the Company's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Among other things, the business outlook and quotations from management in this press release and the Company's strategic and operational plans contain forward−looking statements. The Company may also make written or oral forward−looking statements in its periodic reports to the US Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") on Forms 20−F and 6−K, in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases, and other written materials, and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Several factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward−looking statement, including but not limited to the following: the Company's goals and strategies; the Company's future business development, financial condition, and results of operations; the expected growth of the AR holographic industry; and the Company's expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of its products and services. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in the Company's annual report on Form 20-F and the current report on Form 6-K and other documents filed with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement except as required under applicable laws. View original content: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wimi-develops-a-quantum-technology-based-random-access-memory-architecture-302339317.html SOURCE WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc.Shoppers despair as Easter eggs found on supermarket shelves in DecemberVice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia The 2024 Presidential Candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, continues to share more details about events that transpired after Election Day. Dr. Bawumia, the Vice President of Ghana, in a viral video clip, disclosed to a gathering the moment his team got to know that they had lost the election. He disclosed that they got to know that they had lost the election just eight hours after voting had been completed, around 3 am on Sunday, December 8, 2024. “(sic) the results and it was clear we were not winning this particular election. I thought it was not good to leave the country under tension for any length of time. In fact, by 3 am, we knew that we had lost the election. The Electoral Commission was going to take a few days to get to that conclusion. “But our own collation, the data that we got from all the polling stations, was clear that we were not going to win this election. And so the question was, should we wait for the Electoral Commission to go through its processes and then announce in a few days’ time or do I go out immediately? There were different opinions, but I made the decision that it was better to go out. At 3 am it was a bit early, people were sleeping,” he said. The vice president said that he decided to inform the people of Ghana about his concession in the morning. He explained that he believed that the concession would help ease the tension and avert the potential of violence as the country awaited the Electoral Commission to declare the official election results. “So, I decided that we’ll do it at 9 am on Sunday morning. And so, we gathered the press and then I made my announcement that morning to say my opponent had won decisively and we are conceding the election. And I think that that helped bring down the tension in the country and help the process of the transition. I made that early concession to preserve our peace in Ghana because otherwise we could have had many, many, you know, incidents of violence across and I could see the potential,” he added. Watch his remarks in the video below: BAI/AE Watch a compilation of the latest Twi news below: Watch as Jean Mensa addresses issues with 9 constituencies whose results are yet to be declared
‘Google Maps can be...’: 3 dead as car following ‘misleading navigation’ falls off incomplete bridge; netizens reactA few months back, I received a scrawled letter on lined notebook paper that included this message: “I apologize for my handwriting and spelling. I am writing this on a log.” Don’t worry, Giovanni. I could read your letter, along with the rest of the notes from Scouts spending some time at Camp Baldwin in Dufur, which is south of The Dalles. More than a dozen letters arrived from Scouts, each working toward fulfilling the requirements for a communications merit badge. The tone of the questions ran the gamut from wise to whimsical. However, most did not include names or return addresses so I will give my answers here. “How do you get sleep at night? What do you think of semantics? Have you ever ridden in a limo? What’s your opinion of palindromes?” Joe was full of questions. For the record, Joe, I don’t think I’ve ever taken a ride in a limousine. Journalists’ cars tend to have mileage well into six figures, look pretty beat up and carry lots of detritus like fast-food wrappers and empty coffee cups. I do enjoy palindromes, however. “Working on a newspaper seems very interesting. How do you like the job? If hypothetically you could go bald in exchange for 1 million dollars, are you taking the money?” Lucas asked. “I believe that this one question in combination with a degree of job satisfaction can be used to determine some important qualities that editors need in order to be proficient in the work force.” Now, I’m afraid if I give the wrong answer, I’ll be exposed as unqualified. Realistically, though, editors do tend to lose a lot of hair over the years – mostly because of tearing their hair out over reporters who have missed deadline. Under an alias, one Scout asked, “How is it being an editor? Is it hard? I was also wondering if a whole lot of people still read physical newspapers. Lastly how much can you bench press?” Well, “Gronk R. Skibidi,” a whole lot of people still read print newspapers, and the print version of The Oregonian is an important part of our suite of products, which includes OregonLive and our online version of the newspaper, found at theoregonian.com. It’s true that reader habits have migrated to the internet and that means our readership is larger than it has ever been, thanks to OregonLive’s vast audience . And I don’t know how much I can bench press. I am sure it’s a lot (heh). Several correspondents wanted to know about the day-to-day reality of the job of newspaper editor. “Do you deal a lot with spelling corrections or give mostly writing tips. What’s the biggest spelling mistake you’ve seen. What have you done in order to get the position,” a Star Scout wrote. I started my career on the copy desk. The editors there are the final eyes on news articles before they are published. Copy editors clean up typos and grammatical errors, write headlines and ask questions to fill in any information the article might be missing. Even today, I point out spelling mistakes and give writing tips. As to the biggest spelling error ever? I certainly have some memorable ones. Readers, what do you remember? As for what I did to get this position, I think I mainly just stuck with it for 41 years. I began as a summer intern, and I’ve been known to tell our interns, “Hey, if you stick around long enough, they might even make you editor someday.” Seriously, though, I was willing to change as our business evolved. Openness to new ideas will serve you well in any career. Several Scouts seemed dialed into the existential changes in newspapering. “My first question is what is the superior form of communication, paper or technology,” asked Preston. A similar query came from Connor. “Do you think social media is more, less, or equal in significance to a newspaper?” Nice use of the Oxford comma, Connor! As for your question, The Oregonian/OregonLive has about 2 million followers on our various social media platforms. Delivering the news via Facebook, YouTube, TikTok, X or its alternatives, Threads or the emergent Bluesky, will continue to be an important part of our strategy. We want to be where readers are, and people spend a lot of time scrolling on social media. But, Preston, to answer you, the important thing is not the form of delivery. The important thing is the journalism. People crave reliable local news and information they can’t get anywhere else. The Oregonian/OregonLive’s newsroom focuses on Oregon and primarily the Portland metro area, where most of our readers live. We want to deliver a robust daily news report and consequential investigative journalism. We also want to celebrate the place where we live. You can find our coverage of Oregon’s people, places and experiences at hereisoregon.com. People who value independent news can subscribe and pay to support us, or they can read us wherever our work appears. That helps us, too. Thank you, Scouts! Your letters brightened my day. Reach me at tbottomly@oregonian.com .
After Trump's win, Black women are rethinking their role as America's reliable political organizersDie-hard Sol De Janeiro fans are bagging a massive 500ml size of the Beja Flor Elasti-Cream at 33% off right now from Boots. With a value of £82, it's currently cut down to £61.50 and shoppers say "a little goes a long way". Perhaps responsible for most of the body cream's loyal fanbase, is it's iconic and 'nostalgic' scent which has top notes of pink dragonfruit and lychee essence, mid notes of Brazilian Jasmine, ocean air and hibiscus and a sun musk heart with sheer vanilla. Formulated with vegan collagen amino acids, the bestselling Beija FlorTM Elasti-Cream helps to boost the skin's bounce and elasticity. You can also find it on offer right now at LookFantastic for £61.50, and Sephora UK for £69.70. READ MORE: Lookfantastic slashes price of 'miracle in a container' snail cream that gives a 'velvety glow' in Black Friday sale READ MORE: 'Astonishing' deal sees 'beautiful' Swarovski watch with £119 off With an almost £30 saving, Boots has the best deal right now , however there are no customer reviews there as of yet. Over at LookFantastic , the 500ml body cream has received a 4.71 out of five star score overall. One LookFantastic shopper said: "I love SDJ skincare products. I have built a collection and rotate. The Beia Flor smells amazing, is light and a little goes a long way. Keeps my skin soft and hydrated." A second said: "Gorgeous body cream. Love the smell and texture of this cream. It’s fresh and light, so couldn’t resist buying this jumbo size." A third reviewer Jessica shared how her skin felt: "Decided to treat myself after finishing a smaller pot of this. I don’t know if anyone else has found that the larger pot seems a bit less fragranced but it’s the same delicate scent. It’s a shame it’s expensive because I don’t like to skimp on this!" She continued: "It’s the only moisturiser I’ve tried which actually keeps my skin feeling soft. I have noticed a difference in my skin. It’s great on my stretch marks (thighs) and my neck/chest in particular. My skin seems less tired and has a bit more bounce." There are no reviews below four stars, but one customer found it a little pricy, they said: "Gorgeous cream, thick, smells Devine. I got this with a really good discount but I think it’s still on the pricey side hence the 4 stars." Shoppers should note that there are cheaper ways to try the Beja Flor Elasti-Cream , for example LookFantastic is selling the Sol de Janeiro Beija Flor Jet Set for £22.50, reduced from £30 which contains the perfume, body cream and body wash in travel sizes. Elsewhere, Space NK stocks the Ouai Body Crème, St Barts which is currently 25% off, now down to £25.50 from £34. Loved by celebrities such as the Kardashian sisters, Oui is known for its cult-favourite hair and body products, the St Barts cream has been labelled by happy shoppers as "summer in a pot".The holiday season is upon us —a time when merriment, warmth, and festive cheer fill the air. Amid the hustle and bustle of daily life, there’s something truly special about the moments that bring us together. They remind us of the joy that comes from connection, shared traditions, and the importance of strengthening the bonds that matter most. This time of year offers the perfect opportunity to pause, reflect, and celebrate those cherished relationships. On the 15 th of November, Park Inn by Radisson Davao welcomed esteemed guests to the 202-room contemporary hotel for the much-anticipated annual Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony. The event, led by the hotel’s General Manager, Mr. Sven Toune, brought together an illustrious gathering of guests, radiating the spirit of community and holiday joy. The event welcomed distinguished guests, including Department of Tourism Region XI Regional Director Ms. Tanya Rabat-Tan, Davao City Tourism Office Officer-in-Charge Ms. Jennifer Romero , SMHCC Senior Vice President for Operations Ms. Catherine Nepomuceno, SMHCC Vice President for Commercial Ms. Agnes Pacis , Davao city councilors, SM family, foreign consuls, government executives, corporate accounts, media friends, and the blogger and influencer community. The highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the hotel’s enchanting 12-foot Christmas tree, adorned with burgundy red ribbons and trinkets, lush green accents, whimsical gnomes and lamp post embellishments, the tree captured the hotel’s theme, “Woodland Whispers: A Rustic Christmas.” The warm, rustic charm transported attendees to a festive woodland wonderland, encapsulating the essence of the season. The evening began with a heartwarming performance by The Jericho Project , whose renditions of classic Christmas carols, from Hark the Herald to Carol of the Bells, set the perfect holiday ambiance. In their holiday messages, Mr. Sven Toune, Ms. Tanya Rabat-Tan, and Ms. Catherine Nepomuceno spoke of the festivity’s deeper meaning. “This year, we are proud to present our theme, “Woodland Whispers: A Rustic Christmas,” along with the heartfelt tagline, “Sharing the Warmth of Christmas.” We hope our guests will be transported into a world of rustic charm, rich with the warm nostalgia of beautiful memories.” as shared by General Manager Mr. Sven Toune. Christmas is the time to rekindle generosity, inspire kindness, and share merriment– as for Park Inn by Radisson Davao, it is also about sharing the warmth of the festivity to the community. Beyond the lights and festivities, it’s the acts of giving and compassion that make this time of year special – reminding us all of the beauty in coming together to make a difference. In essence of this year’s tagline, Sharing the Warmth of Christmas the hotel has launched Log Cake for a Cause . This delightful log cake is curated by the hotel’s Kitchen and Food and Beverage team that is perfect for gifts, giveaways or the upcoming yuletide celebrations. A percentage of each log cake sold will be directed towards the support for of Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights which will include art materials, sanitary kits, toiletries, among others. Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights is a 28-year old nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of vulnerable children, especially adolescent girls on the streets and children in need of special protection. The center offers counseling and creates safe spaces for children affected by trauma or abuse, providing a path toward healing and hope. Through this cherished tradition, the hotel hopes to bring warmth, love and care to these children who have experienced tough conditions at a young age. The much-anticipated Christmas Tree lighting, was led by Mr. Sven Toune, Ms. Tanya Rabat-Tan, Ms. Catherine Nepomuceno, Ms. Agnes Pacis, and Ms. Florame Young, Finance Officer of Tambayan Center for Children’s Rights , along with the hotel’s department heads. The interior and exterior of the property vibrantly lit up with twinkling lights and gleeful smiles, marking the official start of the holidays. The hotel is delighted to unveil its exclusive holiday promotions, featuring room packages starting at Php 5,588 per room with the Warm Christmas Relaxation Package. Guests can also enjoy the Christmas Eve Room Package at Php 9,188 per room, which includes a festive Christmas Eve Buffet for two; or ring in the New Year with the New Year’s Eve Room Package at Php 10,988, complete with a New Year’s Eve Dinner Buffet for two and access to the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party. For festive flavors, enjoy a Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet at Php 2,200 per person and travel to 2025 with the New Year’s Eve Countdown Dinner Buffet at Php 3,000 per person. Join in the fun at the New Year’s Eve Countdown Party at Php 950 per person. Indulge in delicious delights with the hotel’s hamper offerings, ideal for corporate giveaways or if you are looking for tasteful presents for your family and friends. Enjoy the petite hamper at Php 1,899 which includes a serving of banana loaf, chocolate coated pretzels, holiday cookies, Malagos chocolate pralines, Malagos borracho cheese and homemade banana and pineapple jam. Meanwhile, the hotel also offers the premium hamper at Php 2,999 per set which includes the items in the petite hampers plus a serving of cured ricotta cheese, a gingerbread house kit and a bottle of wine. Park Inn by Radisson Davao is ecstatic to welcome guests and visitors to share in the delight of the holidays and embrace the warmth of Christmas! Follow Park Inn by Radisson Davao on their socials, @parkinnbyradissondavao on Facebook and @parkinndavao on Instagram for their offers of the season. Event hashtags: #SharingTheWarmthOfChristmas #parkinndavao Being business-savvy should be fun, attainable and A+. BMPlus is BusinessMirror's digital arm with practical tips & success stories for aspiring and thriving millennial entrepreneurs.
It’s Thursday, December 26, and bragging rights in Florida are on the line as the Miami Heat (14-13) and Orlando Magic (19-12) get set to square off from Kia Center in Orlando. The Heat are currently 4-8 on the road with a point differential of 3, while the Magic have an 8-2 record in their last ten games at home. We’ve got all the info and analysis you need to know ahead of the game, including the latest info on the how to catch tipoff, odds, recent team performance, player stats, and of course, our predictions, picks & best bets for the game from our modeling tools and staff of experts. Listen to the Rotoworld Basketball Show for the latest fantasy player news, waiver claims, roster advice and more from our experts all season long. Click here or download it wherever you get your podcasts. Game details & how to watch Heat vs. Magic live today Date: Thursday, December 26, 2024 Time: 7 pm EST Site: Kia Center City: Orlando, FL Never miss a second of the action and stay up to date with all the latest team stats and player news. Check out our day-by-day NBA schedule page , along with detailed matchup pages that update live in-game. Game odds for Heat vs. Magic The latest odds as of Thursday: Odds: Heat (+102), Magic (-122) Spread: Magic -1.5 Over/Under: 208.5 points That gives the Heat an implied team point total of 103.88, and the Magic 104.66. Want to know which sportsbook is offering the best lines for every game on the NBA calendar? Check out the NBC Sports’ Live Odds tool to get all the latest updated info from DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM & more! Expert picks & predictions for Thursday Heat vs. Magic game NBC Sports Bet Best Bet Vaughn Dalzell expects a slow start to this game: 1Q Under 53.5 (-115) “These two just played on Saturday and the result was a 121-114 win for the Magic. Miami led the 1Q 40-28 and the first meeting featured a 32-32 1Q. Yet, the 1Q total is set at 53.5 for the third matchup. I think that is telling, especially after Christmas. I will bet on a sluggish start and these teams to lock in on one another in the third meeting of the season and second in the last week.” Please bet responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700. Our model calculates projections around each moneyline, spread and over/under bet for every game on the NBA calendar based on data points like recent performance, head-to-head player matchups, trends information and projected game totals. Once the model is finished running, we put its projections next to the latest betting lines for the game to arrive at a relative confidence level for each wager. Here are the best bets our model is projecting for today’s Heat & Magic game: Moneyline: NBC Sports Bet is staying away from a play on the Moneyline. Spread: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play ATS on the Orlando Magic at -1.5. Total: NBC Sports Bet is leaning towards a play on the OVER on the Game Total of 208.5. Want even more NBA best bets and predictions from our expert staff & tools? Check out the Expert NBA Predictions page from NBC Sports for money line, spread and over/under picks for every game on today’s calendar! Important stats, trends & insights to know ahead of Heat vs. Magic on Thursday The Heat have lost 4 straight road games The Magic’s last 3 games versus the Heat have gone OVER the Total If you’re looking for more key trends and stats around the spread, moneyline, and total for every single game on the schedule today, check out our NBA Top Trends tool on NBC Sports! Bet the Edge is your source for all things sports betting. Get all of Jay Croucher and Drew Dinsick’s insight weekdays at 6AM ET right here or wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Follow our experts on socials to keep up with all the latest content from the staff: - Jay Croucher (@croucherJD) - Drew Dinsick (@whale_capper) - Vaughn Dalzell (@VmoneySports) - Brad Thomas (@MrBradThomas)NoneOrlando City 1, Atlanta 0
GREENSBORO, N.C. (AP) — Ryan Forrest's 30 points led N.C. A&T over North Carolina Central 85-72 on Saturday. Forrest shot 12 of 18 from the field, including 2 for 4 from 3-point range, and went 4 for 7 from the line for the Aggies (4-10). Landon Glasper scored 25 points while going 7 of 17 from the floor, including 5 for 12 from 3-point range, and 6 for 6 from the line. Jahnathan Lamothe went 3 of 7 from the field (1 for 4 from 3-point range) to finish with nine points, while adding eight rebounds. The Aggies stopped an eight-game skid with the win. Po'Boigh King finished with 21 points for the Eagles (6-10). Keishon Porter added 11 points and seven rebounds for North Carolina Central. Dionte Johnson also recorded 11 points. N.C. A&T took the lead with 1:28 remaining in the first half and never looked back. The score was 46-39 at halftime, with Glasper racking up 18 points. Forrest scored 18 points in the second half to help lead the way as N.C. A&T went on to secure a victory, outscoring North Carolina Central by six points in the second half. NEXT UP Up next for N.C. A&T is a matchup Thursday with Elon at home. North Carolina Central hosts Saint Andrews (NC) on Tuesday. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .1 2 Gumla : Jharkhand assembly election results revealed a striking parallel to the Modi wave that has propelled BJP to national dominance since 2014. This time, it was chief minister Hemant Soren 's personal appeal that led the INDIA bloc to impressive victories across the state's tribal constituencies . The INDIA bloc secured decisive wins in Lohardaga, Bishunpur, Gumla, Sisai, Kolebora, and Simdega, defeating BJP and NDA candidates by significant margins. IPL 2025 mega auction IPL Auction 2025 Live: Rishabh Pant, Shreyas, Venkatesh hit the jackpot IPL 2025 Auction LIVE: Updated Full Team Squads IPL Auction 2025: Who got whom Political analysts attribute this success to Soren's popularity rather than individual candidate merit. The coalition govt's welfare schemes played a crucial role in swaying voters, including monthly financial support for women, electricity bill waivers, free power up to 200 units, and loan relief for farmers. These initiatives attracted even traditional BJP supporters in rural areas. "We voted for the bow and arrow symbol seeing Hemant Soren, despite our local candidate's poor performance," said Soma Oraon, a farmer from Bishunpur assembly constituency. Similar sentiments were echoed by other voters, including Jhargaon village's gram pradhan Minjwa Oraon and JMM supporter Pyarelal Oraon. The impact of welfare schemes was evident in voter testimonials. Eqlakhul Ohdar from Sisi-Katri village praised the electricity bill waiver, while women voters appreciated the direct financial support. In Bishunpur, incumbent JMM MLA Chamra Linda secured his fourth term with a historic margin of 32,756 votes, garnering 1,00,336 votes despite earlier setbacks. Sisai witnessed Jigga Susaran Horo's victory with an impressive lead of 38,989 votes, despite initial resistance from local JMM units. Gumla constituency saw JMM's Bhushan Tirkey retain his seat, defeating BJP's Sudarshan Bhagat by 26,301 votes. The INDIA Bloc's success was attributed to issue-based politics and vigorous campaigning by both Hemant Soren and Kalpana Soren. BJP's defeat in these tribal seats was partly due to internal discord and top-down candidate selection. A senior BJP leader revealed that local cadre suggestions were ignored in at least two seats in Gumla district, leading some party sympathizers switch support to INDIA bloc candidates. "The party leadership's failure to consider local opinions during candidate selection cost us dearly," admitted Dukhan Yadav, a long-time BJP worker. The results underscore how personal leadership appeal and welfare policies can significantly influence electoral outcomes, similar to the Modi effect in national politics, but this time working in favour of the regional alliance.NEW YORK, Dec. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Hasbro, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAS) between February 7, 2022 and October 25, 2023, both dates inclusive (the “Class Period”), of the important January 13, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Hasbro common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Hasbro class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31157 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for more information. 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 13, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. 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, during the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements that represented the quality of inventory and the appropriateness of the levels of inventories carried by Hasbro and its retailers compared to customer demand. In truth, however, Hasbro had a significant buildup of inventory that it was struggling to manage and which far exceeded customer demand. As a result, defendants’ statements about Hasbro’s inventory, and what inventory levels reflected regarding demand, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Hasbro class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31157 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 Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@rosenlegal.com www.rosenlegal.com
As manufacturers strive to meet the technological demands of AI, gold's unique properties ensure its continued relevance in high-performance electronic applications. As AI systems become increasingly integral to devices such as smartphones, autonomous vehicles, and data centres, the use of gold has surged due to its unparalleled properties, according to the World Gold Council report. Gold demand in the electronics sector peaked in 2010 at 328 tons but gradually declined to 249 tons by 2023. Recent quarters, however, have shown a modest recovery, driven in part by the expansion of AI-enabled devices. As manufacturers strive to meet the technological demands of AI, gold's unique properties ensure its continued relevance in high-performance electronic applications. Gold's exceptional electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion make it indispensable in advanced hardware components, ensuring high-speed data processing, minimal energy loss, and long-lasting performance. The healthcare and financial sectors, among others, are heavily investing in AI to boost innovation and efficiency, further amplifying gold's demand. As these industries expand their reliance on AI, gold's role in delivering reliable and efficient electronic components is becoming more prominent. From processors to sensors, gold remains a critical material for enabling AI-driven technology. As per the WGC report, the rising cost of gold, which recently surpassed Rs 72,056 per 10 grams (USD 2,700 per ounce), poses significant challenges for manufacturers. During previous price surges, like those between 2001 and 2011, industries responded by substituting gold with alternatives such as silver or copper and adopting thrifting techniques to reduce usage. Yet, most of the "easy" reductions have already been implemented, leaving little room for further cost-saving measures without compromising performance. Despite technological shifts in areas like LED production--where gold-free mini-LEDs are gaining ground--the growing complexity of AI systems is likely to sustain demand for gold. Beyond AI, gold's versatility underpins its significance in other industries. In healthcare, it is used in therapeutic devices and as a key component in diagnostics and experimental drug delivery systems. In aerospace, gold protects sensitive satellite and spacecraft components from extreme temperatures and radiation. Additionally, in clean energy technologies, gold serves as a chemical catalyst in processes like hydrogen production and carbon dioxide transformation. Published 21:08 IST, November 24th 2024Iran will hold talks about its disputed nuclear programme with three European powers on November 29, the Iranian foreign ministry said on Sunday, days after the U.N. atomic watchdog passed a resolution against Tehran, as per a report. Iran reacted to the resolution - proposed by Britain, France, Germany and the United States - with what government officials called various measures such as activating numerous new and advanced centrifuges, machines that enrich uranium, Reuters reported. Japan's Kyodo news agency, which first reported that the meeting would take place on Friday in Geneva, said Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian's government was seeking a solution to the nuclear impasse ahead of the inauguration in January of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. A senior Iranian official confirmed that the meeting would go ahead next Friday, adding: "Tehran has always believed that the nuclear issue should be resolved through diplomacy. Iran has never left the talks." Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei later said the deputy foreign ministers of Iran, France, Germany and Britain would take part in the talks, which he said would cover regional issues as well as the nuclear dossier. 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A spokesperson for the Swiss foreign ministry directed questions to the countries named in the Kyodo report. "Views will be exchanged...on a range of regional discussions and subjects including the issues of Palestine, Lebanon and also the nuclear subject", Baghaei said. In 2018, the then-Trump administration exited Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with six major powers and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to violate the pact's nuclear limits, with moves such as rebuilding stockpiles of enriched uranium, refining it to higher fissile purity and installing advanced centrifuges to speed up output. Indirect talks between President Joe Biden's administration and Tehran to try to revive the pact have failed, but Trump said during his election campaign in September: "We have to make a deal, because the consequences are impossible. We have to make a deal". FAQs Q1. Who is US President-elect? A1. Donald Trump is the US President-elect. Q2. What was Donald Trump's decision on Iran's nuclear pact? A2. In 2018, the then-Trump administration exited Iran's 2015 nuclear pact with six major powers and reimposed harsh sanctions on Iran. (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
The Gibson family have farmed merino sheep at Malvern Downs in Central Otago since 1924. PHOTOS: ODT FILES / SUPPLIED / SALLY RAE The Gibson family, of Malvern Downs, marked 100 years on the Tarras property with a celebration at the weekend. Rural editor Sally Rae talks to remarkable nonagenarian Bill Gibson about the tenure. He is without doubt the elder statesman of the merino industry. At 96 and as sharp as the proverbial tack, the gentleman that is Bill Gibson reflects that he has been lucky. But in return, the fine-wool industry has been fortunate to have such a passionate and respected ambassador for the breed. On Saturday, Bill returned to his old home Malvern Downs, now run by his son Robbie, to celebrate the family’s centennial on the Tarras property. The milestone was marked with a gathering of family, friends and those with connections to the farming operation which is synonymous with quality merino sheep. The many prize ribbons won over the years by Malvern Downs merinos were on display, reflecting the successes in the show ring. Reflecting on the centennial, both father and son paid tribute to their respective mother and grandmother, saying without her the property might not have remained in Gibson family ownership. While the official anniversary was in April this year, that was a busy time but Robbie Gibson said they got thinking about it and decided it was an occasion worth celebrating. And as Bill Gibson began sorting through old photographs and memorabilia at his Wānaka home, his enthusiasm for such an event became infectious. Malvern Downs, near the Tarras township, was part of the massive Morven Hills station, in the Lindis Pass, until 1880 when it was subdivided and owned by John McRae. In 1910, R. K. Smith — who had managed Morven Hills since 1906 — bought the property which was then known as Beauly Farm. It was renamed Malvern Downs by his wife Elizabeth. He owned large tracts of land in the district but sold it all in 1924. Hector Gibson — Bill’s father — had previously bought Morven Hills with his friend and mustering mate George Henderson in 1916, the pair then promptly went off to serve in World War 1. Both returned from the war. Hector married in 1925 but, 13 years later, his wife Eileen was widowed when he died from a blood clot. As well as caring for two children — Bill was 9 when his father died — she cooked for three men without electricity and had a large landholding with a huge mortgage. "When my father died, she could have got up, sold the two properties and moved away to town and I’d be sweeping the streets today," Bill said. "She could have come out of it but thank God she hung on and that’s why we’re here today." Managers were employed and there was one who Bill remembered as being very kind but knew nothing about stud merinos. The oldest merino stud in Otago, Malvern Downs was established by Hector in 1924 with the purchase of 204 ewes, 14 ewe lambs, 57 ram lambs and three rams from R. K. Smith. Bill came home from school, admitting he also knew nothing about stud merinos, and the manager allowed him to mate the ewes at Malvern Downs in 1945. He continued to mate the ewes every year until Robbie took over in 1980. In 1949, Bill went to Australia to work as a jackaroo at Boonoke, near Narrandera in southern New South Wales. It was the world’s largest merino stud, selling 10,500 rams at that time. It was a great experience for the young farmer, particularly given the scale and the prominence of the operation. Bill recalled loading a road-train with other jackaroos with 1700 rams. "From a little dunghill here in Tarras, to that, was so different," he said. It was also where he encountered poll merino sheep. The story was that stud master Otway Falkiner — one of Australia’s great sheep breeders — returned from the Royal Sydney Show in 1935 and commented that if horns could be bred off Hereford cattle, then he could breed them off merino rams. Returning to New Zealand, Bill wrote to Mr Falkiner in 1950, wanting to buy a ram. He still has the type-written reply, in which the great studmaster said how he had picked "a very nice sheep" to be shipped to New Zealand and transported on to Tarras. He added they were having a very good season at Boonoke, having broken all previous records — selling 12,041 rams for the 12 months. While their wool sold well, they had struck a bad sale at Melbourne and the price had gone up about 25% since. They had 2500 bales of wool and must have lost about £75,000 (about $NZ5.1m today) — "a nice cheque" as he wrote. As it was, they got paid £144,000. That year, Bill registered New Zealand’s first poll merino stud, the start of poll merinos in the country. He recalled how it was a "pretty hard road to hoe" to start with as most high country farmers looked at a merino — "and he had to have horns". But now there were more poll studs than horned — "the pendulum has swung", he said. Bill took over running Malvern Downs in 1953, the same year he married Frances (nee Jenkins), his wife of 71 years who was brought up on nearby Cluden Station. His late sister Madge married Max Snow and the couple ran Morven Hills. Rams had been bred at Malvern Downs before the property was known as Malvern Downs and Bill recalled how he was "so determined" to continue breeding sheep because his father did it before him. Despite being young when his father died, he did have some memories of Hector and recalled that he was a "bit of a trick". He had a dog called Pierrot and in his own decades as secretary of the Tarras Collie Club, Bill had never heard of a dog called that. He also had a ram called Bushwhacker. It was a pity his father had not lived longer; his son believed the war caught up on him. He had bad legs, no doubt caused by being in the trenches in France. The Gibson family’s association with the famed Merryville merino stud in Australia dated back to Bill’s trip across the Tasman in 1949. In 1954, Bill wrote to Walter Merriman — knighted that same year for his services to the Australian wool industry — and described what sort of ram he would like to buy. The ram duly arrived and was named Sir Frances, after his wife. Sir Walter started the Merryville stud in 1903 with a small flock of sheep from the Ravensworth stud founded by his father George in 1865. The Merryville sheep were a type that did well in Otago and the stud’s bloodlines remained in New Zealand. Wal Merriman — grandson of Sir Walter — attended the Malvern Downs celebration at the weekend. Bill’s accolades in the sector have been many — from a Royal Agricultural Society medal to an MBE for services to agriculture and the merino industry, and the Heather Perriam Memorial Trophy He has judged five times in Australia but one of his greatest highlights was being asked to judge at the World Merino Conference in South Africa. Another highlight was to win all three merino ram championships — for fine, medium and strong micron sheep — at The Christchurch Show in 1964, 1965 and 1969, the three-peat never being repeated since. While there was "a bit of work" involved in showing, Bill also had a lot of fun exhibiting his sheep and met a lot of people. "While you’re also all opposition ... at the end of the day, you go and have a beer with them. That, to me, is stud breeding," he said. "With showing, you take the good with the bad. Sometimes you win with a sheep you don’t expect, you’ve got to be able to take it if you get beaten." The Gibson family were stalwarts of the Wānaka A&P Show and Bill was delighted to see the enduring popularity of the show which draws thousands of visitors to the town every year. Bill acknowledged the young men who had worked at Malvern Downs over the years, arriving from studying at Lincoln and Telford. Then there was the South African lad whose father was a merino breeder who visited Malvern Downs and, prior to leaving, asked Bill if he would take his son for a season. The father later told Bill "I sent you a monkey and you sent me back a man". "I was very pleased with that," Bill reflected. From driving two horses pulling a mower when he first left school, to the later advances in technology, Bill had seen many changes during his life. One of his interests had been making walking sticks, using the horns from merinos. He made about 10 a year for 30 years and added to his own collection every time he went overseas. He was a life member of the Scottish Stick-Makers Association. The years on the farm had been "wonderful". "We had good years and bad years, just like any other farming" — and it had been a "great journey". "I’m a lucky fellow," he said. sally.rae@odt.co.nzThe stock price rose because of the company's announcement of multiple 'multi-year contract bookings' worth up to $780 million in future revenue, which overshadowed the earnings miss. (Source: 'BlackSky by the numbers' section) BlackSky won a contract with the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA) worth up to $290 million over five years to monitor global economic and environmental activity and military capability. It also received an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to support NASA Earth observation research missions through November 2028, worth up to $476 million. (Source: 'BlackSky by the numbers' section) No, the contracts were awarded to multiple winners, and BlackSky will have to bid against other companies to receive a share of the work. For example, the NGA contract was awarded to 10 separate winners, and the NASA contract was awarded to 8 winners. (Source: 'Caveats and provisos' section) It is unlikely that BlackSky will receive the full amount of the contract awards. As one of multiple winners, the company's actual winnings will likely be a small fraction of the total. (Source: 'BlackSky will grow, but a lot slower than "hyper"' section) According to analysts, BlackSky is not expected to turn a profit before 2027 at the earliest. (Source: 'BlackSky will grow, but a lot slower than "hyper"' section) BlackSky Technology (NYSE: BKSY) missed analyst forecasts for both sales and earnings earlier this month, but investors didn't seem to mind very much. Shares of the commercial spy satellite operator actually closed out last week above $8, gaining about 9% from their pre-earnings price. Considering that this space stock missed analyst sales forecasts by more than 18% (sales were $22.5 million rather than the $27.5 million forecast), and missed on earnings, too (losing $0.66 per share instead of just $0.65), investors' enthusiasm for the stock is a little surprising. Maybe more than a little, considering the stock has been relatively unpopular among space investors since conducting a reverse stock split in September. Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free » Ordinarily, the math of "reverse split plus earnings miss equals rising stock price" wouldn't seem to add up. So why is BlackSky stock on the rise these days? BlackSky by the numbers Let's take a closer look at the third-quarter numbers and see if we can find out. Year to date, management pointed out, sales are up 22% at BlackSky. But Q3 in particular seems to have been a weak sales quarter in a strong sales year. Quarterly sales came in just 6% above Q3 2023 levels. (And on the bottom line, BlackSky flipped from a Q3 2023 profit to a Q3 2024 loss.) But not to worry, says management. While BlackSky may have billed only $22.5 million in revenue in Q3, it signed multiple "multi-year contract bookings" and they're worth "up to $780 million" in total, in future revenue. Two of these contracts bear special mention. For "up to" $290 million spread over five years, BlackSky will "monitor global economic and environmental activity and military capability," including "objects of interest such as aircraft, ships, vehicles, and shipping containers," for the National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA). BlackSky also received an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity ( IDIQ ) contract to support NASA Earth observation research missions through November 2028, and this one is worth "up to" $476 million. Add them up, and these two contracts account for $766 million of the $780 million in work BlackSky seems to be saying it won in the quarter. For a company that collected just $107 million in revenue over the past year, that would qualify as real hypergrowth -- a parabolic uptick in sales. Even spread out over five years, $766 million works out to an extra $153 million in annual sales -- more than 140% growth. Caveats and provisos But don't forget to read the fine print. While BlackSky's descriptions of its contract wins sound promising, the company was a bit vague on the details, and about one detail in particular. Specifically: If you examine the contract awards themselves, rather than just the press releases that BlackSky put out about them, or the even more terse summaries in the earnings release, it turns out that both of these contracts were awarded to multiple winners, of which BlackSky was only one. Put another way, BlackSky didn't win hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue -- but merely the right to bid against others for the work. For example, the $290 million NGA award will be divided up among 10 separate winners, including heavyweights such as Airbus , Booz Allen Hamilton , and Maxar Intelligence. Similarly, NASA's gigantic $476 million "Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition Program On-Ramp Multiple Award contract" names seven other winners in addition to BlackSky. To win a share of the loot, BlackSky must beat out heavyweights such as MDA Geospatial, Planet Labs , and Teledyne . BlackSky will grow, but a lot slower than "hyper" Now, there's every reason to hope BlackSky will be able to successfully bid for and receive a share of the work under both these awards. In particular, the company noted that it's already won at least one NGA award in the past (worth $60 million). But investors expecting BlackSky to get all $766 million of the monies on offer are in for a rude surprise. BlackSky getting all the money on offer, I fear, is probably a pipe dream. As only one among 10 companies bidding on the NGA contract, and one of eight bidding on the NASA contract, BlackSky's actual winnings will almost certainly end up a small fraction of the total -- and could be nothing at all. And as for BlackSky turning an actual profit, even the most optimistic analysts don't see that happening before 2027 at the earliest. Don’t miss this second chance at a potentially lucrative opportunity Ever feel like you missed the boat in buying the most successful stocks? Then you’ll want to hear this. On rare occasions, our expert team of analysts issues a “Double Down” stock recommendation for companies that they think are about to pop. If you’re worried you’ve already missed your chance to invest, now is the best time to buy before it’s too late. And the numbers speak for themselves: Nvidia: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2009, you’d have $368,053 !* Apple: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2008, you’d have $43,533 !* Netflix: if you invested $1,000 when we doubled down in 2004, you’d have $484,170 !* Right now, we’re issuing “Double Down” alerts for three incredible companies, and there may not be another chance like this anytime soon. See 3 “Double Down” stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of November 18, 2024 Rich Smith has positions in Planet Labs Pbc. The Motley Fool recommends Booz Allen Hamilton and Teledyne Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy . This Little-Known Space Company Forecasts Parabolic Hypergrowth was originally published by The Motley FoolImage via Getty A growing sense of concern in North America's top professional leagues has compelled them to issue a warning to athletes across the board after a spate of break-ins, including ones targeting high-profile sports figures in the persons of Kansas City Chiefs Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, and Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis. Transnational South American Theft Groups According to the authorities, the burglaries are linked to a bigger, more organized effort by "transnational South American Theft Groups ." Such groups have been noted for using sophisticated tactics, including pre-surveillance and advanced technology, targeting wealthy individuals. One particular factor in this crime is the growing "burglary tourist"—robbers from Central and South America who legally enter the U.S. on 90-day tourist visas via the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). South American crime ring could be behind string of robberies at pro athlete homes Who are these "Burglary Tourists"? Once within the United States, " burglary tourists " focus on affluent neighbourhoods and gated communities, where they are able to keep their targets in sight. The criminals leave the country as soon as they have committed the theft, so they are not caught. Authorities believe this orchestrated crime has been taking place for at least five years but have become far more significant in the past year or so as the thieves got better at extracting information from social media and other sources of information available to the public about potential victims. Also Read - Sauce Gardner’s Social Media Slip-Up: A Leaked DM and a Public Apology Increased Security Measures Needed The threat of organized, high-tech burglaries continues to rise, and athletes and high-net-worth individuals are reminded to be even more careful in securing their homes and personal security. A growing threat attributed to "burglary tourists" is bringing this issue to the attention of greater awareness, with criminals using legal tourist visas to target wealthy neighbourhoods. These sophisticated groups have now found such ways of blending with legitimate tourist travellers that law enforcement has found it difficult to detect, not to mention prevent such crimes. Sports leagues, law enforcement agencies, and security specialists are joining hands to address the problem. They stress that upgraded security measures, such as better home security systems and more vigilance in sharing information on personal lives over the internet, are needed. It's quite evident that public figures and ordinary citizens must also exercise more caution in staying one step ahead of these emerging issues.
AP News Summary at 5:18 a.m. ESTLorenz scores 20, Wofford downs Kentucky Christian 100-55China sets deadline for Big Tech to clear algorithm issues, close ‘echo chambers’
After Trump's win, Black women are rethinking their role as America's reliable political organizersTuesday's Transactions