News from November 14, 2025

Entertainment

Ray J Countersues Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner Over Sex Tape Drama

Ray J is fighting back against Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner. Us Weekly confirmed on Thursday, November 13, that Ray J, 44, filed a countersuit against Kardashian, 45, and Jenner, 70, claiming the pair’s October defamation lawsuit is “not about defamation,” but rather is about "publicity, power and punishment.” Ray J (full name William Ray Norwood Jr.) alleged in his filing that the mother-daughter duo have spent “two decades peddling the false story” that his and Kardashian’s 2003 sex tape was “leaked against her will.” According to Ray J, he and Kardashian “consensually” filmed themselves having sex while in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. He alleged in the court documents obtained by Us that in 2006 he and Kardashian discussed publicly releasing the tape together. Ray J claimed that Kardashian “insisted” that Jenner “be in charge of the tape’s release and commercial exploitation” and “watched” the original and their second tape filmed in Santa Barbara, California, before they “collectively decided” to release the Cabo tape. The musician alleged that from the moment Kardashian and her family landed Keeping Up With the Kardashians, she and Jenner started “lying about their role in the tape’s release.” Ray J further claimed that Kardashian and Jenner are “furious” that he “no longer wants to play along with their tall tale.” He accused The Kardashians stars of filing their defamation lawsuit against him — in which the women claimed Ray J’s remarks about their family have led to “substantial and ongoing harm” to their reputations — to “feed their insatiable appetite for attention” and “exact retribution” on him. Kardashian and Jenner’s attorney Alex Spiro told Us in a statement, “After realizing he is losing the case and losing his way, this disjointed rambling distraction is not intimidating anyone. Ray J will lose this frivolous case too." In September, Ray J made headlines when he went viral for claiming during a X livestream that Kardashian and Jenner were involved in a federal criminal racketeering investigation. “The federal RICO I’m about to drop on Kris and Kim is about to be crazy,” Ray J alleged in the clip. “I’m talking about, I’m on the news every day. I’m gonna say a lot of s***. Anybody that is cool with Kim, they need to tell her now, the feds is coming. There’s nothing I can do about it.” Jenner and Kardashian proceeded to file a defamation lawsuit against Ray J in the wake of the accusations. In their October 1 filing, the pair claimed that Ray J is “unable to accept the end of his fleeting relationship with Ms. Kardashian over 20 years ago.” They claimed that Ray J has repeatedly exploited their infamous relationship over the years. “Kris Jenner and Kim Kardashian have never brought a defamation claim before nor have they been distracted by noise — but this false and serious allegation left no choice,” Kardashian and Jenner’s attorney told Us at the time. Ray J, meanwhile, claimed in his countersuit that Kardashian and Jenner’s family has continually painted him in a bad light. He alleged that Jenner, Kardashian and her ex-husband, Kanye West, falsely accused him of sexually assaulting Kardashian during season 1 of their new reality show, The Kardashians, in 2021. He said he took legal action against the trio and the family’s production company and Kardashian agreed to pay him $6 million. Ray J claimed their settlement also barred the family from mentioning the sex tape on the show, which he alleged was violated during season 3 in 2023. Ray J is now seeking $1 million in damages from Kardashian and Jenner and paying his attorney fees.

Johnni Macke 4 hours ago

Entertainment

Ray J Countersues Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner Over Sex Tape Drama

Ray J filed a countersuit claiming Kim Kardashian and Kris Jenner lied about his and Kardashian's 2003 sex tape and seeks damages

usmagazine.com 4 hours ago

Politics

Russian Embassy loses its land, its cool and all sense of irony

The Russians are exceedingly unhappy. Australia has stolen back what the Russians planned was to be a distant corner of their motherland, carved out of prized territory near Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra. Furthermore, the Australian government retrieved the parcel of land legally, however much the Kremlin might call it a “hostile” action inflamed by “Russophobic hysteria”, a term used by Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov at the height of the long and peculiar stand-off. Could it be that the Russians, whose president and military are trying with maximum prejudice to illegally steal a whole country known as Ukraine, have also misplaced the word “irony” from their language?

Tony Wright 4 hours ago

Sports

Patriots debut Nor’easter NFL Rivalries Uniforms Thursday night vs. Jets

FOXBORO — The Patriots will debut their Nor’easter NFL Rivalries Uniforms on Thursday night against the Jets. It’s an entirely new helmet, uniform and “storm blue” color scheme for the Patriots. Here’s more on the design from Mike Dussault of Patriots.com: • “Six stars on the uniform represent the six New England states.” • “A new ‘NE’ shoulder logo, inspired by nautical lettering and compass points, underscores the unique nature of the Patriots as the only team to represent an entire region.” • “Jersey numbers pull their vertical striping and mesh-like design from the iconic 1990s Patriots uniform, evoking memories of Bledsoe-era battles.” • “Shoulder and pant stripes carry a subtle netting pattern, an homage to the working harbors that define the New England coast.” • “The matte white helmet reminds us of snow; the metallic silver facemask reflects the icy cold that defines the region’s winters.” • “Small pops of red offer a quiet connection back to the team’s traditional color palette.” • “Inside every collar, a reminder that through every storm, We Are All Patriots.”

Doug Kyed 4 hours ago

World

Iran demands UN hold US, Israel accountable for June attacks on nuclear sites

Iran has urged the United Nations to take punitive action against the United States and Israel, accusing both of responsibility for a series of military strikes in June that targeted Iranian nuclear sites. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said the US bore "criminal responsibility" after President Donald Trump admitted last week that he had directed Israel’s initial attack on Iran.In a letter addressed to UN Secretary-General António Guterres and the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Araghchi demanded "appropriate measures" be imposed on both Washington and Tel Aviv for what he described as "acts of aggression" against Iran.He said the two countries must be held accountable through reparations, including restitution and compensation for the damage caused. "The United States and the Israeli regime must be subject to reparations, including restitution and compensation for the damage caused in Iran," the letter stated.The Iranian minister said Trump’s public acknowledgement of his role in authorising the strikes provided undeniable evidence of US involvement. "President Trump and other US officials bear criminal responsibility for the June 13 attacks," he said, calling on the UN to act under the principles of international law..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}Neither the US mission to the United Nations nor Guterres’ office immediately responded to requests for comment.TRUMP CLAIMED HE DIRECTED ISRAEL’S STRIKETrump’s admission came on November 6, when he told reporters he was "very much in charge" of Israel’s initial strike on Iran. The president’s remarks have been widely cited in Iranian state media as proof of American involvement in the operation, which Tehran says marked the beginning of a 12-day air war between the two sides.According to Iranian reports, the strikes killed more than 900 people, including several senior military officials. Araghchi said Trump’s statement reinforced Iran’s claim that the US was not merely supporting Israel but directly commanding its military actions."This is indeed without prejudice to the individual criminal responsibility of all those individuals, including within the Israeli regime, involved in commanding, ordering, committing, or aiding, abetting, and otherwise assisting in the commission of the war crimes," Araghchi wrote in his letter to the UN.Iran’s latest appeal to the UN comes even as officials from both Washington and Tehran have recently signalled openness to dialogue. Araghchi’s deputy said earlier this week that Iran remained interested in reaching a "peaceful nuclear agreement" with the United States.Trump said last month that Washington was prepared to negotiate "when Tehran is ready," stressing that "the hand of friendship and cooperation is open".Despite these statements, tensions remain high following months of military confrontation and mutual accusations. Tehran has insisted that the UN must respond decisively to what it calls "an unlawful act of war" directed by the United States and carried out by Israel.- EndsWith inputs from agenciesPublished By: Satyam SinghPublished On: Nov 14, 2025Tune InMust Watch

India Today World Desk 4 hours ago

Politics

Trump administration readies tariff rollback in bid to lower food prices: Report

The Trump administration is preparing wide-ranging exemptions to some of its own tariffs in a bid to ease high food prices, the New York Times reported on Thursday, citing three people briefed on the internal discussions.The move would mark one of the clearest signs yet that the White House is recalibrating its trade agenda amid mounting voter frustration over affordability.According to the Times, the changes would affect certain reciprocal tariffs President Donald Trump announced in April, including duties on products from countries that have not secured trade deals with the administration. The paper said exemptions under consideration include beef and citrus imports, though sources cautioned that Trump had not made a final decision.Any shift on beef would be politically sensitive. Ranchers have complained that allowing more imports cuts against Trump’s repeated calls to boost domestic production. If enacted, the plan would amount to a notable retreat from one of Trump’s signature economic pillars — even as he continues to insist, wrongly, the Times noted. Democrats leaned heavily into cost-of-living concerns during recent elections..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}The developing proposal appears broader than the exemptions Trump outlined in a September executive order. That directive would have limited waivers to goods not grown or made in the US and imported from countries with formal trade agreements. It tasked Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer with evaluating more than a thousand product categories, from metals and minerals to antibiotics, plane parts and agricultural goods like coffee, avocados and vanilla beans.Trump and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent have been signaling the shift. “Coffee, we’re going to lower some tariffs,” Trump told Fox News host Laura Ingraham. Bessent added in a separate Fox interview that Americans should expect substantial announcements within days on foods the US doesn’t produce domestically, including coffee and bananas.Trump has recently floated the idea of a tariff dividend for Americans and acknowledged that consumers are paying something for the trade duties.- EndsPublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Nov 14, 2025Tune InMust Watch

India Today World Desk 4 hours ago

Technology

Seal escapes orca hunt by jumping onto photographer’s boat

By CEDAR ATTANASIO SEATTLE (AP) — A wildlife photographer out on a whale watching trip in waters off Seattle captured dramatic video and photos of a pod of killer whales hunting a seal that survived only by clambering onto the stern of her boat. Charvet Drucker was on a rented 20-foot boat near her home on an island in the Salish Sea about 40 miles northwest of Seattle when she spotted a pod of at least eight killer whales, also known as orcas. The orcas’ coordinated movements and tail slaps suggested they were hunting. Drucker used the zoom lens on her camera to spot a harbor seal that was trying to flee from the pod. One of her shots showed the seal flying through the air above the scrum of orcas frothing the water, and she assumed she was witnessing the seal’s last moments alive. But as the orcas got closer to the boat, Drucker and her group realized the pod was still chasing the seal. In line with wildlife boating regulations, they had cut the engine to prevent any injury to the whales. The seal clambered out of the water and onto a swimming platform at the stern of the boat near the motor — claiming it as a life raft of sorts. Wildlife regulations also prohibit touching or interfering with the seal, but Drucker began filming video. “You poor thing,” Drucker can be heard saying, as the seal looks up at her. “You’re good, just stay, buddy.” The orcas did not give up immediately, but instead appeared to team up to rock the boat and make the seal fall off. Drucker’s cellphone video shows the orcas lining up and moving in on the boat with staggered dives to create waves. The “wave-washing” technique has been documented since by scientists since at least the 1980s, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The seal on Drucker’s boat slid off at least once, but managed to climb back on, and the orcas swam away after about 15 minutes. Drucker has photographed dead seals in the mouths of orcas before, and she says she’s generally happy when the whales get to eat. “I’m definitely Team Orca, all day, every day. But once that seal was on the boat, I kind of turned (into) Team Seal,” she said in an interview with The Associated Press on Thursday. The killer whales that hunt seals and a diverse set of marine animals in the area are known as Bigg’s or “transient” orcas. They are better fed then other more specialized species like the salmon-focused “resident” orcas who are on the endangered species list, according to NOAA.

Associated Press 4 hours ago

Technology

Iowa football’s Kaden Wetjen built a foundation of fearlessness

Returning punts and kicks requires almost irrational confidence. One must field a wobbling ball booted over 60 feet in the air, deciding whether to catch it on the fly, scoop it off the bounce, or simply not touch it at all.Should one attempt to run the ball back, their next challenge appears in a horde of 11 charging defenders whose sole purpose is to deliver a painful hit and remind the returner to think twice in the future. Evasion plans and escape routes are formulated in a split second, but improvisation is just as valuable. A sizable return — or better yet, a touchdown — ignites a...

Matt McGowan, Sports Editor 4 hours ago

Business

Brush with danger | Review of Kaushik Sridhar’s Kidnapped by Hezbollah

The tagline of the book, Kidnapped by Hezbollah, reads: ‘A True Story of Travel, Turmoil and Triumph’, and pretty much sums up what lies at the heart of the story. This is the true-life account of an Australia-based man of Indian origin. When Kaushik Sridhar decides he needs to visit the war-torn areas of Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, his wife is less than pleased. However, he not only calms her misgivings, he gets her to accompany him, too. And so they head towards a volatile region that has been witnessing sustained unrest for a long time now. Using a direct clean style and precise language, Sridhar tells us how beautiful the areas they visited were, lands replete with history, beauty, resilience. This section of the book is pure travelogue, though of the whistle-stop kind. And then, they stray into forbidden territory (despite having a driver who is a Hezbollah member) and worse, are caught clicking photographs. In a trice, they are surrounded by unsmiling men clad in black, who take away their passports, phones and vehicle keys. There follows 14 tense hours during which their mettle is tested again and again. Everyone is separated, briefly blindfolded and repeatedly questioned. However, Sridhar says they were offered water and that their interlocutors were suspicious but not cruel. After a while Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah (who was killed last year in an Israeli airstrike) himself comes to meet the detainees. This is where the author believes his purposeful responses saved the day. Eventually, being convinced that this was a party of tourists who were in the wrong place at the wrong time, with no ulterior motive, Sridhar and his party were set free. The Sridhar who returned from that trip was a changed man. Within months, he quit his high-stakes corporate job, moved cities, and later, started an advisory firm. The rest of the account has Sridhar relating the lessons he learned from this less than pleasant experience at the hands of the Hezbollah. At times, these takeaways gets a bit repetitive but the overall message is one of positivity, one of taking the odds stacked against you and using them to propel yourself to just the place you want to be in. The reviewer is a Bengaluru-based author, journalist and manuscript editor.

Sheila Kumar 4 hours ago

Health

Why Hepatitis A deserves a place in India’s universal immunisation programme - Premium

As India debates the inclusion of the typhoid conjugate vaccine in its Universal Immunisation Programme, it is time to ask whether Hepatitis A — a growing cause of acute liver failure — deserves even greater priority. A safe, effective, and long-lasting indigenous vaccine already exists; what is missing is the policy decision. India’s Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) has been one of the most successful public health initiatives in the developing world. It eradicated polio, curbed measles deaths, and saved millions of young lives. Yet as the country’s health landscape changes, so too must its immunisation priorities. A recent article in The Hindu made a strong case for introducing the typhoid conjugate vaccine (TCV) into the UIP. The argument is compelling: India bears half of the world’s typhoid burden, manufactures multiple WHO-prequalified TCVs, and yet has not included them in its national schedule. However, as we assess new vaccines for inclusion, scientific evidence and public-health impact must guide our choices. On these counts, Hepatitis A vaccination may deserve even higher priority. On Hepatitis A Hepatitis A, is a silent but mounting threat. For decades, the virus infected most Indians in early childhood, causing mild illness and conferring lifelong immunity. With improved sanitation and hygiene, that pattern has changed. Fewer children are exposed early, leaving many adolescents and adults unprotected—groups in whom the disease is far more severe. In recent years, multiple outbreaks in Kerala, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi have underscored this shift. Hospitals have reported clusters of acute liver failure and even deaths. Unlike typhoid, there is no specific treatment for severe Hepatitis A; recovery often depends on supportive care. Seroprevalence studies reveal a steady decline in protective antibodies—from over 90% two decades ago to less than 60% in many urban regions. The result is a growing pool of susceptible young people vulnerable to serious illness. Hepatitis A is no longer a benign childhood infection; it is an emerging public health concern. The vaccine The good news is that Hepatitis A is entirely preventable. Both live-attenuated and inactivated vaccines offer protection rates exceeding 90 to 95%, with immunity lasting for at least 15 to 20 years—often lifelong. India has its own indigenous success story here. Biological E’s Biovac-A, a live-attenuated vaccine developed domestically, has been used in the private sector for more than two decades with excellent safety and efficacy records. Unlike typhoid vaccines, Hepatitis A vaccines do not face issues of waning immunity, antibiotic resistance, or carrier states. A single dose of the live vaccine can confer durable, long-term protection. From a public health perspective, it is a model vaccine: safe, effective, long-lasting, and already made in India. Which deserves priority? Both typhoid and Hepatitis A cause significant illness, but their epidemiology and control prospects differ sharply. Typhoid mortality has declined with prompt antibiotic treatment and better sanitation, though antimicrobial resistance remains a concern. Hepatitis A, on the other hand, strikes indiscriminately across socio-economic groups, lacks specific treatment, and increasingly affects older children and young adults, where the disease is severe. When judged by measurable criteria—disease burden, vaccine efficacy, durability, cost-effectiveness, and programmatic simplicity—the balance tilts decisively toward Hepatitis A. It is the low-hanging fruit of vaccine-preventable diseases: a single-dose, long-lasting, with an indigenous product ready for universal use. Also Read: Hepatitis A outbreaks bring back focus on vaccination in Kerala The way forward India could begin by introducing Hepatitis A vaccination in States that have experienced repeated outbreaks or show declining antibody prevalence. The vaccine can be co-administered with existing boosters such as DPT or MR, using the same infrastructure. Periodic serosurveys can track population immunity and guide expansion. This phased approach aligns with the UIP’s proven model of gradual, evidence-based rollout. This is not an argument against typhoid vaccination; it is a plea for rational sequencing. Typhoid control is important, but Hepatitis A control is both easier and more cost-effective at this stage. The disease burden is substantial, the vaccine is home-grown, and the science is clear. India’s immunisation programme has repeatedly shown foresight—from the early inclusion of Hepatitis B to the introduction of rotavirus and pneumococcal vaccines. Adding Hepatitis A would be a natural next step in that continuum of progress. The tools are ready, the evidence is strong, and the need is urgent. The time to act is now. (Dr. Vipin M. Vashishtha is former national convener, IAP Committee on Immunisation. vipinipsita@gmail.com)

Vipin M. Vashishtha 4 hours ago

Health

Workplace stress and rising diabetes risk among India’s working-age adults - Premium

India has an estimated 10.1 crore people living with diabetes according to ICMR–INDIAB, 2023, and growing evidence suggests that workplace stress may be one of the factors heightening this burden. While international research has long linked chronic stress to metabolic dysfunction, emerging Indian data echo these patterns. For instance, a study among adults with Type 2 diabetes at a medical college in Tamil Nadu found that higher perceived stress scores were significantly associated with poorer glycaemic control and longer disease duration. Physiologically, chronic stress keeps the body in a state of heightened alert, elevating cortisol and adrenaline, disrupting glucose metabolism, and favouring fat accumulation around the abdomen. Over time, this leads to insulin resistance and metabolic instability. “We are seeing this link more clearly now than a few years ago,” said R. Sundararaman, senior consultant – internal medicine, SIMS Hospital, Chennai. Many of his patients in their early 30s and 40s arrive with rising sugar levels, poor sleep and central weight gain despite no major dietary excess. “Chronic stress at work keeps cortisol levels high and that slowly interferes with how insulin works. Sadhana Dhavapalani, senior consultant in family medicine at Apollo Hospitals, Chennai, noted that recent workplace health research is beginning to also show gendered patterns in stress-linked metabolic changes. “Multiple studies suggest that prolonged occupational stress is associated with a higher incidence of Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes in women,” she said, adding that early signs such as steady weight gain, borderline blood pressure, and rising triglycerides often go unnoticed until they progress. The pattern is very familiar: no time to eat properly, no time to sleep, and rising sugars that they don’t notice until blood tests pick it up.” Early metabolic signs Doctors say the early metabolic effects of stress are frequently misattributed to “busy lifestyles.” Elamthalir. I., consultant, diabetology, SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai, notes that signs such as abdominal weight gain, daytime fatigue, fragmented sleep and sudden cravings are commonly normalised rather than recognised as endocrine warning signals. “Many people assume reduced appetite or increased tiredness is just part of their routine. But we see insulin sensitivity declining much earlier, along with fluctuations in post-meal blood sugar,” she explained. Pearlsy Grace Rajan, senior consultant, internal medicine, Rela Hospital, Chennai, described this as a subtle but progressive pattern. “Persistent fatigue, abdominal weight gain, cravings and disrupted sleep are often dismissed as stress. But these can be early metabolic flags. If missed, they progress to impaired glucose tolerance before anyone realises.” Work patterns amplify risk Doctors pointed to sharper increases in stress-linked diabetes among workers in tech, finance, customer service and healthcare .“The most worrying trend is among IT and finance professionals and night shift workers,” said Dr. Sundararaman. “They tell me they feel guilty switching off their phones even for half an hour. This constant pressure is directly reflected in their sugars.” Narendra B.S., lead consultant, endocrinology & diabetology, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, added that shift work disrupts circadian rhythms, which govern metabolism. “When sleep and meal timing are irregular, insulin sensitivity drops. We see more unstable blood sugar profiles in people on night shifts, even if they are careful with diet and medication.” Call for structural changes Experts emphasise that the solutions do not require elaborate corporate wellness budgets. Small, predictable rhythms have disproportionate benefits. Workplaces that provide scheduled lunch breaks, movement gaps between meetings, limits on late-night logging, healthy cafeteria options, and shift rotations for night workers can significantly reduce stress hormone load, said Dr. Elamthalir, describing these changes as “low-cost, high-impact.” . Dr. Pearlsy noted that such supportive policies may enhance productivity rather than compromise it. “When the body is not constantly under stress, attention and performance improve.” Stress management For those already diagnosed, managing stress can meaningfully stabilise blood glucose. Dr. Sundararaman said he has seen patients who adopt mindfulness or therapy achieve smoother sugar patterns. “When the mind is calmer, sleep is better, and the sugars behave better,” he said. Subramanian Kannan, senior consultant, endocrinology & diabetology, Narayana Health City, Bengaluru, said, “Stabilising cortisol through structured breaks, counselling, predictable routines or mindfulness can complement medication in lowering glucose variability.” Stress, doctors emphasise, must be taken as seriously as diet and exercise.

Elssa Johnson 4 hours ago

World

BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers two-way superstar Ohtani wins 3rd straight MVP

Travel/Tourism BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers two-way superstar Ohtani wins 3rd straight MVP - Nov 14, 2025 - 09:25 BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers two-way superstar Ohtani wins 3rd straight MVP Nov 14, 2025 Japan protests China diplomat's violent threat over Takaichi Taiwan remark Nov 10, 2025 JR East to retire beloved Suica smartcard penguin mascot in spring 2027 Nov 11, 2025 Japan to raise visa fees for foreign visitors in FY 2026 Nov 10, 2025 70% of ammunition used by Russia made in N. Korea: Ukraine analysis Nov 10, 2025 FEATURE: Japanese child sex tourists contributing to lost generation of girls in Laos Oct 17, 2025 Latest Video More from All BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers two-way superstar Ohtani wins 3rd straight MVP 30 minutes ago BREAKING NEWS: Nikkei stock index falls over 2%, or 1,000 points, after Wall St. losses 43 minutes ago BREAKING NEWS: China summons Japanese ambassador over PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan 54 minutes ago 3 Japanese-Filipinos born in WWII denied request for Japan nationality 9 hours ago Mother of ex-PM Abe's shooter professes devotion to Unification Church 10 hours ago Ruling parties start talks to draft changes to Japan's postwar Constitution 12 hours ago Kyodo News Digest: Nov. 13, 2025 13 hours ago China urges Japan PM Takaichi to immediately retract her remarks on Taiwan 14 hours ago Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Advertise With Us © Kyodo News.

Unknown 4 hours ago

Politics

US aircraft carrier heads toward Venezuela, raising alarms over potential conflict

The most advanced US aircraft carrier is expected to reach the waters off Venezuela in days, a flex of American military power not seen in Latin America for generations.Experts disagree on the possibility that American warplanes will catapult off the USS Gerald R Ford to bomb targets inside Venezuela and further pressure authoritarian President Nicols Maduro to step down. Still, whether it may serve that purpose or only patrols the Caribbean as the US blows up boats it accuses of trafficking drugs, the presence of the 100,000-ton warship alone is sending a message.“This is the anchor of what it means to have US military power once again in Latin America,” said Elizabeth Dickinson, the International Crisis Group’s senior analyst for the Andes region. “And it has raised a lot of anxieties in Venezuela but also throughout the region. I think everyone is watching this with sort of bated breath to see just how willing the US is to really use military force.”The Ford’s impending arrival is a major moment in the Trump administration’s campaign in South America, which it describes as a counterdrug operation. It escalates the already massive buildup of military firepower in the region, with added pressure from bomber training runs near the Venezuelan coast, CIA operations that have been publicly authorized inside the country and boat strikes in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific Ocean that have killed over 75 people..preferred-source-banner{ margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom:10px;}The US has long used aircraft carriers as tools of deterrence to pressure and influence other nations, often without employing any force at all. They carry thousands of sailors and dozens of warplanes that can strike targets deep inside another country.Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday formally named the mission Operation Southern Spear, emphasizing the growing significance and permanence of the military’s presence in the region. Once the Ford arrives, the mission will encompass nearly a dozen Navy ships as well 12,000 sailors and Marines.TRUMP ADMINISTRATION SAYS IT'S FOCUSED ON FIGHTING DRUG TRAFFICKING Secretary of State Marco Rubio insists that President Donald Trump is focused on stopping drugs from entering the US by combatting “organized criminal narcoterrorists.”“That’s what he’s authorized. That’s what the military’s doing. That’s why our assets are there,” he told reporters Wednesday after meeting his counterparts from the Group of Seven democracies in Canada.But Rubio also says the US doesn’t recognize Maduro, who was widely accused of stealing last year’s election, as the leader of Venezuela and called the government a “transshipment organization” that openly cooperates with those trafficking drugs toward the US.Some experts say deploying the Ford appears to be geared more toward a government change in Venezuela than drug trafficking.“There’s nothing that an aircraft carrier brings that is useful for combating the drug trade,” Dickinson said. “I think it’s clearly a message that is much more geared toward pressuring Caracas.”Bryan Clark, a former Navy submariner and defense analyst at the Hudson Institute, a conservative think tank, said the Trump administration would not have deployed the Ford “if they didn’t intend to use it.”“I think this administration is very open to using military force to accomplish particular objectives,” Clark said. “I think they’re going to want to actually do some military operations unless Maduro steps down in the next month or so.”After Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth briefed lawmakers last week, Rep. Jim Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, said they gave no indication that the strikes would be stopping but also indicated that they were targeting cocaine traffickers and not overtly intending to overthrow Maduro.Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and a senior adviser with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, expects US warships to launch missiles from other ships before launching any American warplanes. He said Venezuela has relatively sophisticated missile defense systems from Russia that could put American pilots at risk.“Because they have so many systems, some are relatively new, and all are mobile, we probably wouldn’t get them all,” Cancian said. “So there’s some risk that we could lose some aircraft.”VENEZUELA MOBILIZES FOR POSSIBLE ATTACK Venezuela’s government this week touted a “massive” mobilization of troops and civilians to defend against possible US attacks. Venezuelan Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López said in a statement that “land, air, naval, riverine, and missile assets” would be part of a two-day readiness effort “to confront imperialist threats.”State television showed members of the military, police and militias standing in formations across the country. Padrino also delivered remarks, broadcast on state television, standing by a surface-to-air missile system in a military base in the capital, Caracas.Maduro, who faces charges of narcoterrorism in the US, has insisted the Trump administration’s intentions are to force him from power. Venezuela’s US-backed political opposition has renewed its promise of an imminent government change.David Smilde, a Tulane University professor who has studied Venezuela for more than 30 years, said the US military does not have enough manpower in the region, even with the aircraft carrier, for an invasion.“It’s consistent with this desire to demonstrate credible force, which they had already,” Smilde said of the carrier. “It doesn’t change the equation. I don’t think that the fact that it is there means that they necessarily have to strike. It just means that Trump and Hegseth have not forgotten about this, and they are still onboard in trying to generate a regime change through a show of force.”Smilde said Venezuela’s political opposition has long told US officials that “just a credible threat of force” would cause Maduro’s government to crumble. For Trump, he said, that would be the best outcome of this operation.PUSHBACK ON INTELLIGENCE The US actions have faced pushback in the region, in Congress and among rights organizations. However, Senate Republicans voted last week to reject legislation that would have put a check on Trump’s ability to launch an attack against Venezuela.Colombian President Gustavo Petro, who was recently hit with US sanctions over allegations of aiding the drug trade, on Tuesday announced he was cutting off intelligence sharing with the longtime North American ally until the strikes stop. But he softened his stance the following day, saying the sharing would continue as long as agencies guarantee it won’t be used in actions that jeopardize human rights.Rubio pushed back on reports that the United Kingdom has halted some intelligence sharing in the region over concerns about the strikes, saying US assets in the region provide such information.The US is not “asking anyone to help us with what we’re doing — in any realm. And that includes the military,” he said.Mexico, however, is stepping up its cooperation with the US in targeting drug trafficking. President Claudia Sheinbaum said Thursday that her administration made an agreement with the US for Mexico’s navy to intercept boats in international waters near Mexico that the US alleges are carrying drugs to avoid any more strikes off its coast.'A USE-IT-OR-LOSE-IT KIND OF SITUATION' The Ford, originally deployed to the Mediterranean Sea, was within the US Southern Command region but not yet in the Caribbean. The carrier was in the mid-Atlantic on Thursday, a defense official who wasn’t authorized to discuss the matter said on condition of anonymity.Clark said sending the Ford to South America would have a minimal impact on costs and readiness in the short term because it still has a month or two left on its regularly scheduled deployment.Cancian, of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said the US can’t afford to have the Ford “dawdling around the Caribbean” for long. It’s such a powerful military asset that it may be needed elsewhere, such as the Middle East.“It’s a use-it-or-lose-it kind of situation,” he said.- EndsPublished By: Nitish SinghPublished On: Nov 14, 2025Must Watch

Associated Press 4 hours ago

Entertainment

‘DWTS’ Alum Sasha Farber Addresses Rumors He’s Dating Julianne Hough

Sasha Farber is done dancing around all the rumors surrounding his dating life. After fans speculated that the former Dancing With the Stars pro could be dating Kaitlyn Bristowe, Julianne Hough or Francia Raisa, Farber, 41, decided to set the record straight. “First of all, it’s so funny. I’ve known Kaitlyn for so many years,” he shared in an interview with E! News’ The Rundown published on Thursday, November 13. “Anytime she comes to L.A., we’re literally hanging out, so definitely no hard launch there.” On November 7, Farber uploaded an Instagram video in which he and the former Bachelorette star danced in a kitchen. While celebrating Dancing With the Stars’ 20th Birthday Party episode on Tuesday, November 11, Bristowe, 40, laughed off any dating rumors. “I didn’t see the reactions. Were people being like, ‘Hard launch,’ or something?” Bristowe asked Entertainment Tonight. “Sasha and I are very good friends. Every time I come to L.A., I hang out with him and see him. We always dance together. I didn’t know it sent people into a [tailspin].” Farber also talked to E! News about Hough, 37, who recently spent some time dancing with her former colleague. In a joint Instagram post earlier this month, the pair danced to “Tambourine” by Eve in someone’s backyard. “New trick unlocked!!!! TRY IT!!!” Farber wrote via Instagram on Sunday, November 9. “We don’t have fun at all, also this is right before I stepped in dog s*** 😂 @juleshough.” Before fans start speculating that something could be going on romantically between this pair, Farber shut the chatter down. “With Jules, the same thing. I’ve known Jules for over so many years,” he said in his latest interview with Erin Lim Rhodes. “She calls and goes, ‘Hey, come around. … Bring Ruby,’ who is my little dog. We were just talking life, and Jules is amazing. We go backwards and forwards with life advice.” Farber added, “So to answer your question, no hard launches. They are all friends, and [I’m] still looking.” Farber was previously married to fellow Dancing With the Stars pro Emma Slater from 2018 to 2022. The duo have remained friends and frequently see each other while filming ABC’s competition show. “We’re still like family, so it isn’t really like the love is not there, it’s actually not that at all,” Slater revealed in an August 2023 episode of the “Viall Files” podcast. “We’re just at potentially two different places. But the hard part was that the love actually didn’t go [away].” At the time, she explained, “It’s really the kid thing. It’s interesting because I do want to have kids, I just don’t want to delay Sasha’s path in having kids because I know that he is ready for that. I don’t want to talk about him too much because that’s really for him to say, but it’s about kids.” Dancing With the Stars airs on ABC and Disney+ Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET. Prove your DWTS fandom with Us Weekly and Bracketology.tv! Compete against other fans and Us editors in the Bracketology DWTS fantasy league this season to predict which pairs will make it to the finale for season 34. Get access to exclusive content, stats and a chance to win prizes. Join the league for free today!

Mike Vulpo 4 hours ago

Politics

Rachel Reeves to abandon plans to raise income tax rates in budget

Labour had laid the ground to break a manifesto pledge on taxes for working people but has now made a U-turn

Jessica Elgot, Pippa Crerar and Peter Walker 4 hours ago

Technology

Canada Plans Mining, Rare-Earths Equity Stakes to Combat China

Your browser is: Chrome 76.0.8281.3900. This browser is out of date so some features on this site might break. Try a different browser or update this browser. Learn more.✕ IndustriesEnergyCanada’s Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson, center.Photographer: David Kawai/BloombergContact us:Provide news feedback or report an errorConfidential tip?Send a tip to our reportersSite feedback:Take our SurveyNew WindowBy Jacob LorincNovember 14, 2025 at 1:16 AM GMT+1Canada plans to buy stakes in projects that will produce and process key minerals, the country’s natural resources minister said, as part of a broader effort to secure supplies of materials that are controlled by China.Tim Hodgson said the government has already started studying projects that will receive these equity investments, including mining operations and processing facilities. Those entities would be “deemed in the national interest, but for some reason they aren’t able to find the equity,” he said in an interview with Bloomberg News. Before it's here, it's on the Bloomberg TerminalBloomberg Terminal LEARN MOREMore From BloombergBank of Canada Mulled Delaying Cut Until After Carney’s BudgetCanada Loses Measles-Free Status With Outbreak Passing One-Year MarkCanada Lost Its Measles Elimination Fight. The US Could Be Next.Canaccord Says It’s Close to Settlement on US Compliance Lapsesan hour agoCanada Sanctions Russian Drone Makers, ‘Shadow Fleet’ VesselsTop ReadsThe True Cost of China’s Falling Pricesby Bloomberg NewsDubai’s Unbuilt Penthouses Spark Bidding Spree Among Ultra Richby Zainab FattahTricolor’s Frantic Final Days Began With a Call From JPMorganby Isabella Farr, Scott Carpenter, Paige Smith and Josyana JoshuaCancer Gold Rush Sparks Billions in Spending Over Unproven Drugsby Gerry Smith, Robert Langreth and Tanaz MeghjaniHomeBTV+Market DataOpinionAudioOriginalsMagazineEventsNewsMarketsEconomicsTechnologyPoliticsGreenCryptoAIWork & LifeWealthPursuitsBusinessweekCityLabSportsEqualityManagement & WorkMarket DataStocksCommoditiesRates & BondsCurrenciesFuturesSectorsEconomic CalendarExploreNewslettersExplainersPointed News QuizAlphadots GameThe Big TakeGraphicsSubmit a TipAbout UsTerms of ServiceTrademarksPrivacy PolicyCareersAdvertiseAd ChoicesHelp©2025 Bloomberg L.P. All Rights Reserved. Subscribe now for uninterrupted access.Get the context behind every story for $1.99/month.Get the story behind the story for just $1.99/month. We've updated our terms By accepting, you agree to our updated Terms of Service, including the arbitration provision and class action waiver. You understand that we process your information as described in the Privacy Policy, which may include sharing information about your use of Bloomberg.com with third parties. Accepting does not affect your right to opt-out at any time via the Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information link in the website footer.

Jacob Lorinc 4 hours ago

Business

Underwater Mortgages Rise To 3-Year High Amid Cooling US Housing Market

Authored by Tom Ozimek via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours), A new report from the Intercontinental Exchange shows that nearly 875,000 homeowners now owe more on their mortgages than their properties are worth—the highest level in three years—as softening home prices and elevated borrowing costs squeeze household finances. The surge in negative equity represents 1.6 percent of all mortgage holders and highlights a worsening affordability landscape that officials in the Trump administration say is weighing on the broader economy. While the jump is notable, the Intercontinental Exchange said in the Nov. 10 report, the overall share of underwater loans remains comparable to long-term averages prior to the pandemic housing boom, with the exception of the Great Recession. Still, the company warned that certain markets are seeing concentrated pockets of borrower vulnerability as prices continue to retreat from their post-COVID peaks. “While overall negative equity rates remain low, certain markets are showing signs of concern, particularly in the Gulf Coast of Florida and Austin, Texas,” the report noted. In Cape Coral, Florida, for example, where home prices are down 15 percent from their peak, 11 percent of mortgages are underwater, including more than one-third of those that originated between 2023 and 2024, when rates were highest. The rise in negative equity is concentrated among recent, lower-down-payment borrowers, particularly those with Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and Veterans Affairs (VA) loans issued in 2023 and 2024. In some VA cohorts, more than 20 percent of borrowers are now underwater, the Intercontinental Exchange said—a reflection of both local price declines and the fact that these newer borrowers never benefited from the pandemic-era equity cushions that protected earlier buyers. Another 6.9 percent of mortgage holders have less than 10 percent equity remaining, the highest share since mid-2020. While the Intercontinental Exchange noted that the figure remains below long-term averages, low-equity borrowers are typically more vulnerable to credit stress if home prices continue to fall. At the same time, the report struck a more positive tone on the outlook for refinancing and equity access as borrowing costs begin to ease. The Intercontinental Exchange said falling mortgage rates have “significantly expanded” the number of homeowners who could lower their monthly payments, while also reducing the cost of tapping home equity. “The recent easing in mortgage rates has begun to open the refinance window for many borrowers, particularly those who originated loans in the past two years,” Andy Walden, head of Mortgage and Housing Market Research at the Intercontinental Exchange, said in a statement. The Intercontinental Exchange’s data show the number of highly qualified refinance candidates—those with strong credit, at least 20 percent equity, and potential savings of 75 basis points or more—rose to 1.7 million in late October, the largest since early 2022. Including broader borrower profiles, approximately 4.1 million mortgage holders are currently “in the money” to refinance, a figure that could approach 5 million if rates drift slightly lower. Housing in ‘Recession,’ Treasury Secretary Warns The equity deterioration comes amid growing concern inside the Trump administration that high mortgage rates are dragging the housing sector into a downturn. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said in a recent interview on CNN that parts of the economy “are in recession,” in particular housing, and that high borrowing costs are hitting low-income Americans the hardest. “We have seen the biggest hindrance for housing here that are mortgage rates,” Bessent said. “So, if the Fed brings down mortgage rates, then they can end this housing recession.” Bessent echoed warnings from Federal Reserve board member Stephen Miran, who told The New York Times in an earlier interview that keeping monetary policy “this tight for a long period of time” risks inducing a recession. Miran said he sees no reason for the central bank to delay further rate cuts with inflation cooling. Borrowers Under Strain as Credit Stress Mounts Beyond housing, other consumer-credit segments are flashing warning signs. Subprime auto-loan delinquencies hit 6.65 percent in October—the highest level on record since the early 1990s—according to Fitch Ratings. Two major auto-finance firms serving low-income borrowers filed for bankruptcy this fall. Foreclosure activity is also creeping higher. More than 101,000 properties received filings in the third quarter, up 17 percent from a year earlier, according to ATTOM. Mortgage delinquencies—while still low by historical standards—have also begun to rise from last year’s trough, according to data from VantageScore and the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Reuters and Naveen Athrapully contributed to this report.

Tyler Durden 4 hours ago

World

BREAKING NEWS: Nikkei stock index falls over 2%, or 1,000 points, after Wall St. losses

Travel/Tourism BREAKING NEWS: Nikkei stock index falls over 2%, or 1,000 points, after Wall St. losses - Nov 14, 2025 - 09:12 BREAKING NEWS: Nikkei stock index falls over 2%, or 1,000 points, after Wall St. losses Nov 14, 2025 Japan protests China diplomat's violent threat over Takaichi Taiwan remark Nov 10, 2025 JR East to retire beloved Suica smartcard penguin mascot in spring 2027 Nov 11, 2025 Japan to raise visa fees for foreign visitors in FY 2026 Nov 10, 2025 70% of ammunition used by Russia made in N. Korea: Ukraine analysis Nov 10, 2025 FEATURE: Japanese child sex tourists contributing to lost generation of girls in Laos Oct 17, 2025 Latest Video More from All BREAKING NEWS: Dodgers two-way superstar Ohtani wins 3rd straight MVP 32 minutes ago BREAKING NEWS: Nikkei stock index falls over 2%, or 1,000 points, after Wall St. losses 45 minutes ago BREAKING NEWS: China summons Japanese ambassador over PM Takaichi's remarks on Taiwan 56 minutes ago 3 Japanese-Filipinos born in WWII denied request for Japan nationality 9 hours ago Mother of ex-PM Abe's shooter professes devotion to Unification Church 10 hours ago Ruling parties start talks to draft changes to Japan's postwar Constitution 12 hours ago Kyodo News Digest: Nov. 13, 2025 13 hours ago China urges Japan PM Takaichi to immediately retract her remarks on Taiwan 14 hours ago Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Advertise With Us © Kyodo News.

Unknown 4 hours ago

Entertainment

Taylor Swift's End of an Era trailer features Kelce, Sabrina, and more. Watch

Pop sensation Taylor Swift has released the trailer for 'The End of an Era' docuseries, which will be released on JioHotstar in December, with the first two episodes available immediately and subsequent episodes released weekly. The six-episode series provides an intimate look at the creation and impact of Swift's record-breaking Eras Tour, featuring appearances from prominent figures including Sabrina Carpenter, Travis Kelce, Ed Sheeran, Florence Welch, and Gracie Abrams, as well as Swift's band, crew, and family members.The trailer, released on November 13, teases new insights and behind-the-scenes moments from the tour, which has been described as a cultural phenomenon. The series aims to give fans an understanding of the scale and effort required to bring the Eras Tour to life, highlighting the teamwork and dedication of those involved. The series is slated for a release on December 12.The docuseries captures personal moments, such as Swift speaking candidly about the unpredictable nature of her career, stating, "I’m very aware of mysterious forces at play that I will never have any control of."Watch the video here:Tiktok embed code * *-->* Another clip features Swift reflecting on the collective experience of performing for massive audiences. She remarks, "This show created a bonding experience for like 70,000 people all at once. There’s something very special about that."Swift's relationship with her fiance, NFL player Travis Kelce is also highlighted, with her mother Andrea Swift commenting, "Travis Kelce, he brings a lot of happiness," and the trailer showcasing lighthearted exchanges between Swift and Kelce.In one exchange, Swift tells Kelce, "We basically have the same job," to which Kelce responds, "You’ve got teammates, I got teammates," and Swift adds, "You have Coach Reid, I have my mom."In addition to the docuseries, a special ABC preview event will air the first episode of 'The End of an Era' along with a one-hour broadcast of 'Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show' on December 12 at 8 pm EST (6:30 pm IST).'Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour | The Final Show', filmed in Vancouver, features the entire set of 'The Tortured Poets Department' for the first time and will also premiere on JioHotstar. The docuseries is directed by Don Argott and Sheena M. Joyce, while the concert film is directed by Glenn Weiss.- EndsPublished By: Ritika SrivastavaPublished On: Nov 14, 2025Also Read | Taylor Swift reacts to adorable viral video of girls dancing to her song at a weddingMust Watch

India Today Entertainment Desk 4 hours ago

Entertainment

Tiny 5' wide front-of-house is just tip of the iceberg at €295k city home 

BOSCO, the redhead TV puppet best remembered for his catchphrase 'Come with me, through the magic door," would have had a field day at No 31 Prosperity Square, a house with the deceptive spatial properties of a Tardis. Viewed from the street, it seems as though half the house is missing - and that's being generous. All told, the façade measures less than 5’ wide. When the owner first spotted it in a property advert, he liked the look of the old stone wall that curved around the back garden, but dismissed it on the basis of size. “I thought it was too small, and thought no more of it,” he says. That opinion changed after viewing another house in the Square that had been renovated and modernised. Seeing that the unassuming terraced homes had more to them than met the eye, he took a proper look at No 31. “We viewed it, and I thought, ‘Definitely, this could be great’,” he says. On a corner site, it’s one of just two homes in the square that still retain a back garden — the others have been surrendered to extensions — and it’s the larger garden of the two, a delightful, south-facing nook, enclosed by the old stone wall, high enough to ensure complete privacy for weekend barbecues or morning coffee. It’s the kind of secluded outdoor space that many city centre dwellers can only dream of. The owner’s father, a carpenter, agreed that the house had excellent potential, and so he bought it in 2016 for €150,000, moving in before Christmas. Like any good tradesman — he’s an electrician — he followed the sage advice to get to know the house before tearing any walls down or drawing up new floor plans. He and his partner (she can take credit for the décor) observed how the sun moved through the rooms, where the draughts came in, what spaces felt cramped or just right, before going gangbusters on renovations in 2018. The house was rewired and replumbed, with much of the work done by father and son. An architect friend translated the couple’s ideas into a thoughtful design; and an existing extension — galley kitchen and downstairs loo — was flattened and replaced with a space that wouldn’t look out of place on a 2025 list of Clever Design Ideas for Small Homes. New windows were fitted and engineered oak floors were laid. The house is pretty as a picture now, from the pale-pink front door and attractive, tiled hallway, to the cosy front living room with open fireplace, through to the smartly designed open-plan kitchen/dining room, which feels more New York loft than historic Cork townhouse. Warm, oak countertops and inky black cabinetry dominate a space designed for cooking, relaxing, and entertaining. The back wall is fully glazed and slides open to the garden. It’s a light-filled, inviting space and it makes a dramatic difference to what was a two-up, two-down home, where a French polisher called Lester once reared a family of five. Upstairs, a new shower room was installed (there’s a small downstairs loo, too, with a window that the owner uncovered while scraping off plaster). Plaster stripped back in the main bedroom revealed a redbrick wall and a redbrick fireplace. It’s very country cottage. A second bedroom was for the children — they have two now — hence they are relocating to a bigger home off College Rd, where the handy owner of Prosperity Square has converted two flats into a family home, albeit without his late Dad’s help. The owner reckons No 31 Prosperity Square is a terrific house for a young person or young couple starting out, or even a young family. The agent selling it, Áine McLoughlin of AML Property Services, says bidding has already gone well above the asking price of €295,000. “It looks so dinky out front, but there is plenty going on behind,” the agent says. “It ticks so many boxes on so many levels. The location is fantastic: A 15-minute walk from UCC, less than 10 minutes into the city centre. “And it’s such a lovely house, you could literally drop your bags and move in.” Its proximity to University College Cork means No 31 is attracting interest from parents of third-level students, thinking of investing in accommodation close to the university. But the principal interest in this 76 sq m, 19th-century property is from would-be owner/occupiers, who love the quaint and quiet square — originally built to house workers and tradespeople in Cork’s tightly-knit south inner city — and the sense of community. Moreover, the neighbourhood is becoming a template for inner-city rejuvenation, with great work done on both nearby Douglas St and Barrack St, turning it into a vibrant city quarter. VERDICT: A dream starter home, but first-time buyers will have to contend with very competitive bidding.

Catherine Shanahan Pictures: Media Pro,Irishexaminer.com 4 hours ago