News from November 18, 2025

Technology

Iconic Sydney restaurant to shut doors

Asian fusion joint Ms G’s on Tuesday announced it would be shutting its doors indefinitely on December 21, taking to Instagram to share the warm farewell. The Potts Point restaurant was opened by executive chef Dan Hong and Jowett Yu in 2010. It quickly became renowned for its bold combination of Asian flavours, with Broadsheet describing it as a “skilful blend of Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean influences with a hint of Americana”. “On December 21, after 15 incredible years in Potts Point, Merivale will say goodbye to Ms G’s as we look ahead to an exciting new chapter of growth and innovation, with several new venues and development projects underway,” the restaurant posted on Instagram. “Our executive chefs are also expanding their portfolios, including Dan Hong with his newly opened Chinese diner, Good Luck Eating House. “Dan Hong and Jowett Yu opened Ms G’s in 2010, serving up bold, no-rules Asian cooking. “The crazy, flavour-packed venue quickly became a trailblazer for Merivale and set the stage for Mr Wong, which opened in 2012.” Ms G’s is owned by Australian hospitality giant Merivale, run by businessman Justin Hemmes. The restaurant’s entry on the Merivale website describes it as taking a “playful approach to cooking”, which “criss-crosses various Asian cuisines (please don’t make us say ‘fusion’) and borrows from others”. “As long as the dishes we create are balanced, textural and delicious, it works for us,” the entry continues.

Blake Antrobus 13 minutes ago

Business

Beedie clears final hurdle on Vancouver Chinatown condo project

The city’s development permit board was unanimous Monday in approving a developer’s revised application to build a nine-storey 133-unit market condo building in the heart of Vancouver’s Chinatown. The board had previously given Beedie (Keefer Street) Holdings approval in principle in June 2023 to proceed with the project on a piece of vacant property it owns at the corner of Keefer and Columbia streets. That approval required Beedie to meet conditions related to design, including significantly reshaping the corner of the building, its facade and working with members of Chinatown’s design and art community on the project. The three-member development permit board comprised of senior city staff heard from dozens of residents over two meetings — the majority in opposition to the project — before explaining their support for the development. 'Raises many concerns' Matt Shillito, the city’s director of special projects, said he wanted to acknowledge the many residents who spoke “very passionately and eloquently” about Beedie’s project. More than 100 people registered to speak to the board. “I appreciate that it raises many concerns for a lot of people around affordability, gentrification, the relationship between the building and [Chinatown] Memorial Square and the very sensitive cultural context of the project,” said Shillito from the council chamber at city hall. But, he added, the board’s scope was limited to “the exclusions and the relaxations” of the revised design, rather than the overall principle of the development in terms of land use or housing tenure and affordability — or the overall form of the building. “I agree with the staff assessment that the revised design is an improvement on the one that the board considered in 2023,” he said, noting the addition of a courtyard with publicly accessible open space. “I think that some of the new features added to the design — the cupola, the articulated facade, the colonnade — are all thoughtful in the way they pick up on existing design features in Chinatown.” The fact that the Chinatown historic area planning committee unanimously approved the project was also “telling,” said Shillito in reaching his decision. 'Trust the professionals' Corrie Okell, the city’s general manager of development, buildings and licensing, used part of her closing remarks to address concerns raised by speakers over Beedie failing to meet a Jan. 15, 2024 deadline to satisfy conditions requested by the board in the 2023 decision. “Applicants may request an extension, which was done in this case, and this is a common practice and supported,” Okell said. “There's no requirement to submit a new application, as it is in response to the initial proposal.” Added Okell: “We as the board are here today to make a decision on the changes to the design to address the conditions requested as part of the 2023 [development permit] board. I feel that these conditions have been addressed with these minor relaxations, which I will support.” Lon LaClaire, the city’s general manager of engineering services, also commented on the passion of the speakers, many of whom had spoken at earlier council and development permit board meetings. LaClaire pointed out that veteran architect James Cheng had been hired by Beedie to improve the design of the project. “In terms of the architecture and the urban design, I actually trust the professionals in the room,” he said. “I believe the applicant has a great architect. I think he's particularly talented. In terms of the specifics that we're being asked for — the height, the density —again, I kind of trust everyone that said that those are supportable.” 'Accelerate gentrification' Prior to the board meeting, a coalition of Chinatown and Downtown Eastside residents rallied outside city hall in protest of the project — as they did Oct. 20 before the first meeting. The coalition issued a news release after the meeting to condemn the decision. “This decision marks a singularly appalling moment in Vancouver’s history as the city continues to serve elite developer interests, and continues to prioritize profit over people,” the coalition said. “This decision will exacerbate displacement and accelerate gentrification in a neighbourhood that is increasingly unlivable for low-income seniors and residents.” Beedie acquired the property in July 2013. It is adjacent to the Chinatown Memorial Plaza, which features a monument to Chinese railway workers and veterans. The city is currently finalizing a new design of the plaza to improve the public space. The company has taken several years to get to final approval, with it first being turned down in June 2017 by the Vision Vancouver-led council. Beedie later went to court where the company won the right to go before the development permit board this year. A timeline of the company’s battle to get final approval can be read here. X/@Howellings

Mike Howell 15 minutes ago

Entertainment

She Starred With Anil Kapoor And Abhishek Bachchan, Then Quit Films After Two Marriages

She was a stunning beauty who lit up screens in Telugu cinema, sharing scenes with stars like Mahesh Babu and Pawan Kalyan. She later made her mark in Bollywood alongside Abhishek Bachchan and Anil Kapoor. Yet, after two marriages, she quietly stepped away from acting. The actress, who won a Filmfare award for the 2004 Telugu film Arjun and began her career with a comedy-thriller, may have had a brief career, but her charm and talent left an unforgettable impression. We are talking about the charming star, Keerthi Reddy. Interestingly, unlike most heroines who debut in romantic or glamorous roles, Keerthi Reddy started with a comedy-thriller. Her first Telugu film, Gunshot (1996), was not a major hit, but her screen presence immediately drew attention. Born on November 17, 1978, in Hyderabad, Keerthi grew up in a family immersed in art and creativity. Her mother was a fashion and interior designer, and other family members were also engaged in creative professions. Her grandfather, Kesarpalli Ganga Reddy, served as a Member of Parliament from Telangana, contributing to a culturally and socially vibrant upbringing. Keerthi spent her childhood in Bengaluru, where she also studied and nurtured a passion for dance. She trained in Bharatanatyam for eight years, a discipline that later lent her movements and expressions a distinctive grace on screen. Her breakthrough came with the 1998 blockbuster Tholi Prema, opposite Pawan Kalyan. The film’s success catapulted her to stardom, after which she ventured into Tamil cinema and eventually Bollywood. Her Hindi debut, Tera Jadoo Chal Gaya (2000), saw her star alongside Abhishek Bachchan. She went on to appear in films such as Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat and Badhaai Ho Badhaai. However, her most acclaimed role came in 2004 with the Telugu film Arjun, where she played Mahesh Babu’s sister. Her performance earned her the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. That same year, she married actor Sumanth, though the marriage ended in separation two years later. Subsequently, Keerthi married a doctor and retired from films, now living a peaceful and happy life with her family in the USA.

News18,Parishmita Saikia 16 minutes ago

Health

Asia-Pacific Framework seen to strengthen PH Lung Cancer program

LUNG cancer remains the country’s deadliest cancer, claiming an estimated 23,000 Filipino lives in 2022 and accounting for the highest cancer mortality nationwide. With survival rates still far below global benchmarks, health leaders are calling for the localization of a regionally developed policy framework to close gaps in early detection, diagnosis and access to treatment.Aspire calls for local action on screening, prevention and treatment accessThe American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines (AmCham Philippines) convened medical experts, patient advocates and policymakers at the “Stronger Together: Uniting Sectors for Lung Cancer Prevention and Care” forum, where discussions were anchored on the Asia-Pacific Lung Cancer Policy Consensus Document, a regional policy framework developed through the initiative.Frederic Ivan Ting, clinician-scientist specializing in medical oncology, said Aspire outlines five policy pillars tailored for Asia-Pacific health systems: strengthened prevention, earlier detection, equitable access to treatment, deeper partnerships and stigma reduction.He noted that patient profiles are also shifting with more young adults and nonsmokers being diagnosed, patterns tied to environmental factors, indoor pollution and second-hand smoke.“Policies only become meaningful when services actually reach communities,” Ting said, emphasizing that misdiagnosis and slow diagnostic timelines continue to delay care.Ting added that modern treatment standards have moved beyond chemotherapy with immunotherapy and targeted therapies offering significantly better survival and quality of life.However, access in the Philippines remains limited due to high out-of-pocket costs, reinforcing the need for stronger government investment and improved PhilHealth support.Paolo Borromeo, Healthcare Sector lead of the Private Sector Advisory Council or PSAC, expressed support for the Aspire-aligned recommendations, noting that multisector collaboration — from government to private hospitals and industry partners — is essential to strengthen the lung cancer care pathway.Stigma, delayed diagnosis and uneven access persistBeyond policy, the forum also underscored patient experiences. Emer Rojas, a 23-year survivor, highlighted stigma as a major deterrent to early care.“Many fear the illness itself, but many fear even more the uncertainty and financial burden that comes with treatment,” he said, stressing that 15 percent of cases occur among people who never smoked. Rojas welcomed the emergence of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic tools but noted that affordability remains a challenge for most families.Government expresses supportAppearing on behalf of United Senior Citizens Party-list Representative Milagros Aquino Magsaysay, Angie Limanzarez-Martinez acknowledged identified gaps in service delivery.The member officer from the House Health Committee said, “We acknowledge that challenge in government service delivery. We will continue to push and work for improvements.”

The Manila Times 17 minutes ago

Technology

Income tax raids on Pista House, Shah Ghouse, Mehfi in Hyderabad

Hyderabad: Income Tax officials conducted large scale raids on the premises of popular hotels Pista House, Shah Ghouse and Mehfil in the city on Tuesday. As per reports, searches were also carried out simultaneously at the residences of the Chairman, Directors and key management personnel of these hotel groups. According to initial information, about 50 I-T teams took up inspections at 15 locations across the city. The agencies are reportedly probing financial irregularities and unaccounted revenue, as these food chains collectively handle hundreds of crores in annual business. All the three major brands operate multiple outlets not only in Hyderabad, but also in Dubai and other Indian cities, making them among the most prominent players in the regional food business sector. Further details from the I-T Department are awaited.

Telangana Today 18 minutes ago

World

UN approves the Trump administration's plan for the future of Gaza

UNITED NATIONS — The Trump administration’s blueprint to secure and govern Gaza won strong approval at the United Nations on Monday, a crucial step that provides international support for US efforts to move the devastated territory toward peace following two years of war.The US resolution that passed the UN Security Council authorizes an international stabilization force to provide security in Gaza, approves a transitional authority to be overseen by President Donald Trump and envisions a possible future path to an independent Palestinian state.“This will go down as one of the biggest approvals in the History of the United Nations, will lead to further Peace all over the World, and is a moment of true Historic proportion!” Trump posted on social media.The vote endorses Trump’s 20-point ceasefire plan and builds on the momentum of the fragile ceasefire he helped broker with allies. It marks a key next step for American efforts to outline Gaza’s future after the Israel-Hamas war destroyed much of the territory and killed tens of thousands of people.The proposal calls for a yet-to-be-established Board of Peace as a transitional authority that Trump would head. It also provides a wide mandate for the international stabilization force, including overseeing the borders, providing security and demilitarizing the territory. Authorization for the board and force expire at the end of 2027.Arab and other Muslim countries that expressed interest in providing troops for an international force had signaled that UN authorization was essential for their participation.Russia, which had circulated a rival resolution, abstained along with China on the 13-0 vote after fears Moscow might use its veto in the Security Council.However, Hamas opposed the resolution, saying in a statement that it does not meet the “Palestinian people’s political and humanitarian demands and rights.”Stronger language on Palestinian state helps get the US plan over the finish lineUS Ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz said the resolution “represents another significant step towards a stable Gaza that will be able to prosper and an environment that will allow Israel to live in security.”It came about following nearly two weeks of negotiations, when Arab nations and the Palestinians pressed the United States to strengthen language about Palestinian self-determination.But the proposal still gives no timeline or guarantee for an independent state, only saying it’s possible after advances in the reconstruction of Gaza and reforms of the Palestinian Authority, which now governs parts of the West Bank.The US revised the resolution to say that after those steps, “the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood.”“The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous coexistence,” it adds.Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes Palestinian statehood and repeated that position Sunday at a time when his hard-line governing partners have expressed concern about the resolution’s endorsement of a “pathway” to Palestinian independence.Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon told reporters before the vote that Israel was grateful to Trump “for leading peace to the Middle East.”Algeria’s UN Ambassador Amar Bendjama, the Arab representative on the council, thanked Trump for his instrumental role in bringing about the ceasefire, but said “genuine peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without justice, justice for the Palestinian people.”A key to the resolution’s adoption was support from Arab and other Muslim nations that had been critical to the ceasefire and potentially could contribute to the international force. The US mission to the United Nations distributed a joint statement Friday with Qatar, Egypt, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Pakistan, Jordan and Turkey calling for “swift adoption” of the US proposal.Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said Moscow took note of that support but abstained because the resolution did not include a role for the Security Council or emphatically support Palestinian statehood.The vote shores up hopes that Gaza’s fragile ceasefire will be maintained following a war set off by Hamas’ surprise attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people. Israel’s offensive has killed over 69,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza health ministry, which doesn’t distinguish between civilians and combatants but says the majority are women and children.What else the US proposal saysTrump said the members of the Board of Peace will be named in the coming weeks, along with 'many more exciting announcements.'The US resolution calls for the stabilization force to ensure “the process of demilitarizing the Gaza Strip” and “the permanent decommissioning of weapons from non-state armed groups.”A big question has been how to disarm Hamas, which said Monday that giving the force a role inside Gaza that includes disarmament “strips it of its neutrality, and turns it into a party to the conflict in favor of the occupation.”The resolution authorizes the force “to use all necessary measures to carry out its mandate” in compliance with international law, which is UN language for the use of military force.It says the stabilization troops will help secure border areas, along with a Palestinian police force that they have trained and vetted, and they will coordinate with other countries to secure the flow of humanitarian assistance. It says the force should closely consult and cooperate with neighboring Egypt and Israel.As the international force establishes control, the resolution says Israeli forces will withdraw from Gaza “based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization.” These must be agreed to by the stabilization force, Israeli forces, the U.S. and the guarantors of the ceasefire, it says.

Associated Press 19 minutes ago

World

Suicide Bombing Is 'Martyrdom Operation' In Islam: Delhi Bomber Umar Nabi In Viral Video

A self-recorded video of Dr. Umar Mohammad, the prime accused in last weeks deadly blast near Delhis Red Fort, has surfaced, providing the first direct insight into the mindset of the bomber. The blast claimed 13 lives.The young medical professional is seen calmly articulating a justification for suicide bombing, which he reframes as a martyrdom operation, a concept he claims is recognised in Islam but is widely misunderstood.One of the very misunderstood concepts is the concept of what has been labelled as suicide bombing. It is a martyrdom operation, Dr. Umar, also known as Umar-un-Nabi, states in the in the undated video He argues that such an operation is based on the presumption of death at a destined time and place, adding, Dont fear death.The video presents a chilling portrait of a new face of terrorism in India: educated, articulate, and methodically radicalised. His composed demeanour while discussing the heinous act stands in stark contrast to the violence of the crime.Video Dispels Accidental Blast TheoryThe emergence of the recording has led investigators to conclude that the Delhi car blast was a carefully planned terrorist act, negating earlier speculation that the explosives may have detonated accidentally during transport. Delhi Blast: Terrorists Planned Hamas-Like Attack In National CapitalA Quiet Man Who Underwent a Radical ShiftOriginally from Pulwamas Koil village, Dr. Umar was described by relatives as a quiet and introverted man who was often immersed in books. However, police sources indicate a significant behavioural shift in recent months.He had been absent from his university duties since October 30 and had begun frequent travel between Faridabad and Delhi, with visits to mosques near the Ramleela Maidan and Sunehri Masjid areas. ED Raids Al Falah University, Linked Persons In Delhi Red Fort Blast CaseThe probe intensified after raids in Faridabad on November 9 led to the recovery of a massive cache-nearly 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate-and the arrest of several accomplices. Dr. Umar vanished following these raids and is believed to have gone underground near Dhauj village after switching off multiple phones.International Connections UncoveredThe investigation has also revealed that Dr. Umar, along with an arrested associate, Dr. Muzammil Ganaie, had previously travelled to Turkey. Indian security agencies suspect their handlers are operating from that region, pointing to the involvement of an international terror module in the planning of the attack.

Prakash Kl 20 minutes ago

Technology

Rajamouli faces complaint over alleged remarks on Lord Hanuman

Hyderabad: Ace director S.S. Rajamouli has landed in controversy after the Rashtriya Vanara Sena filed a complaint against him at the Saroornagar Police Station, alleging that the filmmaker made derogatory remarks about Lord Hanuman during the recent Varanasi title-launch event. The organisation alleged that the remarks had deeply hurt the sentiments of Hindus and expressed concern over what they described as a growing trend of disrespecting Hindu deities in the film industry. They urged the police to register a case and initiate an investigation, insisting that stringent action is necessary to prevent similar comments in the future. The Saroornagar Police are yet to take any action on the complaint.

Telangana Today 20 minutes ago

World

Six Months After India’s Strikes, Satellite Images Show Pakistan Still Repairing Key Military Sites

Six months after Indian forces struck multiple military positions inside Pakistan during the May 2025 four-day conflict, new satellite imagery indicates Islamabad is still working to fix the damage, according to OSINT analyst Damien Symon, the researcher who first reported that India had targeted a nuclear weapons storage site at Kirana Hills during Operation Sindoor. Symon, who has been tracking post-strike activity, shared fresh visuals on X pointing to new construction at Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase—one of the sites hit during the confrontation. “Pakistan appears to have constructed a new facility at Nur Khan Airbase, at the location India targeted during its May 2025 conflict,” Symon posted on November 16. Pakistan appears to have constructed a new facility at Nur Khan Airbase, at the location India targeted during its May 2025 conflict pic.twitter.com/eG8FT3a1Qu — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) November 16, 2025 Imagery from another strike site, Jacobabad Airbase in northern Sindh, shows the hangar damaged by Indian attacks remains under repair. The roof has been removed section by section, a process Symon says is likely linked to assessing the extent of structural damage before full restoration. “Imagery over the past few months reveals the hangar targeted by India at Jacobabad Airbase, Pakistan, during the May 2025 conflict, has had its roof taken apart in stages — likely as internal damage checks continue before the structure is repaired,” he wrote on November 15. Imagery over the past few months reveals the hangar targeted by India at Jacobabad Airbase, Pakistan during the May 2025 conflict, has had its roof taken apart in stages likely as internal damage checks continue before the structure is repaired pic.twitter.com/DNmgKnmEEv — Damien Symon (@detresfa_) November 15, 2025 The latest visuals suggest that several of Pakistan’s key military installations struck during Operation Sindoor are still far from fully restored. India launched Operation Sindoor in May 2025, a coordinated military campaign targeting key Pakistani military installations deep inside the country. The operation, planned and executed with high precision, involved long-range strikes on sites linked to Pakistan’s air power and strategic assets. The operation also included multiple strikes on critical airbases such as Rawalpindi’s Nur Khan Airbase and the Jacobabad Airbase in Sindh, causing significant damage to hangars and support infrastructure. India’s response came weeks after a deadly terrorist attack in Pahalgam, where 26 innocent lives were lost at the hands of Pakistan-backed terrorists.

Abhro Banerjee,News18 21 minutes ago

Politics

Australia news live: CSIRO to axe up to 350 jobs; all children’s sand imports to be tested for asbestos ‘in light of recent findings’

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Cait Kelly (now) and Nick Visser (earlier) 21 minutes ago

Sports

Cowboys cruise past Raiders 33–16 in first game after Kneeland's death

Dak Prescott threw for 268 yards and four touchdowns as the Dallas Cowboys defeated the struggling Las Vegas Raiders 33–16 on Monday night — their first game since the death of defensive end Marshawn Kneeland, News.Az reports, citing ESPN. Kneeland, 24, was found dead on Nov. 6 in an apparent suicide. Coach Brian Schottenheimer and players wore tribute shirts, and the team observed a pregame moment of silence in his honor. Dallas (4-5-1) responded with one of its strongest performances of the season, keeping faint playoff hopes alive after losing three of its previous four. Tough matchups against Philadelphia, Kansas City, and Detroit await. The Raiders (2-8) continued their downward trend under first-year coach Pete Carroll, dropping their fourth straight and eighth in nine games. Prescott was precise — minus a miss of a wide-open CeeDee Lamb for an easy touchdown — completing 25 of 44 passes to snap his four-game winless streak (0-3-1) in prime-time games. His four TD passes tied a season high, matching his total from Oct. 5 against the New York Jets. He threw primarily to George Pickens and Lamb. Pickens (nine catches, 144 yards, one touchdown) and Lamb (five receptions for 66 yards and a TD) produced big numbers despite Schottenheimer benching them for the Cowboys' first drive. Javonte Williams provided the Cowboys with balance by rushing for 93 yards on 22 carries. The Raiders had little balance, going with 32 called pass plays and three runs — Geno Smith also scrambled for 7 yards — in the first half alone. They became only the third team since at least 1991 with 30 or more dropbacks and four or few runs in a first half. The four rushes were also the Raiders' second fewest in a first half since at least that year; they had three runs against Atlanta in a 2008 game. Las Vegas finished with 12 rushes, tied for the 12th fewest in franchise history. The air-it-out approach didn't work, with Smith finishing 27 of 42 for 238 yards with a touchdown and interception. The Cowboys' defense made sure Smith had few chances to execute the offense, sacking him four times, including 1 1/2 by recent trade acquisition Quinnen Williams. Dallas sent the Jets a 2027 first-round draft pick, a 2026 second-rounder and defensive tackle Mazi Smith for Williams. Cowboys: S Donovan Wilson (knee) returned after missing two previous games. ... LB DeMarvion Overshown made his season debut and CB Shavon Revel played in his first NFL game. Both had season-ending knee injuries last year, with Revel getting hurt while playing at East Carolina. Cowboys: Host the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in an NFC East matchup on Sunday. Raiders: Host Cleveland on Sunday.

Unknown 21 minutes ago

Politics

Former Bangladesh leader Hasina sentenced to death for crackdown on uprising that ousted her

DHAKA, Bangladesh — Bangladesh’s ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and one of her close aides were sentenced to death Monday over her crackdown on a student uprising last year that killed hundreds of people and led to the toppling of her 15-year rule.The International Crimes Tribunal based in Dhaka, the capital, passed sentence on Hasina and former Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan for their involvement in the use of deadly force against protesters.Hasina and Khan, who fled to India last year, were sentenced in absentia. India has so far declined to extradite them, making it unlikely that they would ever be executed or imprisoned.Hasina, who was convicted on five charges of crimes against humanity, was also sentenced to prison until natural death for making inflammatory remarks and ordering the extermination of student protesters through the use of helicopters, drones, and lethal weapons.A third suspect, a former police chief, was sentenced to five years in prison after becoming a state witness against Hasina and pleading guilty.More than 800 people were killed and about 14,000 were injured in the student-led uprising in July and August of 2024, according to the health adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government. However, the United Nations in February estimated as many as 1,400 people were killed.Hasina's responseHasina said the charges were unjustified, arguing that she and Khan “acted in good faith and were trying to minimize the loss of life.”“We lost control of the situation, but to characterize what happened as a premeditated assault on citizens is simply to misread the facts,” she said Monday in a statement denouncing a verdict she called “biased and politically motivated.'Her Awami League party called for a national shutdown on Tuesday to protest the verdict.Hasina, 78, cannot appeal the verdict unless she surrenders or is arrested within 30 days of the judgment.Bangladesh is still grappling with instability after Hasina was ousted on Aug. 5, 2024. Political bickering, the rise of Islamists, and violations of human and political rights have overshadowed aspirations for a more democratic Bangladesh, human rights groups say.Bangladeshi Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus took over as the head of an interim government three days after her fall. He has vowed to punish Hasina and banned the activities of the Awami League ahead of elections set for February.A three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Golam Mortuza Mozumder, announced the ruling in a live broadcast that lasted for several hours.Some of those in the packed courtroom cheered when Mazumder said Hasina was sentenced to death. He admonished them, telling them to express their feelings outside the courtroom.Families of some of those killed or injured during the uprising waited for hours outside.Exile in IndiaIn a media statement Monday, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Home Affairs urged India to send both Hasina and Khan back soon, something New Delhi has so far refused to do.Separately, Bangladesh’s Foreign Ministry in a statement said it would be extremely unfriendly and demeaning to justice for any other country to grant asylum to these individuals convicted of crimes against humanity.“We urge the Indian government to immediately hand over these two convicts to the Bangladeshi authorities. It is also a legal obligation for India as per the existing extradition treaty between the two countries,' it said.India’s foreign ministry in a statement acknowledged the verdict but did not say whether it would hand the pair over to Dhaka.“As a close neighbor, India remains committed to the best interests of people of Bangladesh, including in peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country. We will always engage constructively with all stakeholders to that end,” it said.India's failure to extradite the pair has created some tensions between the neighboring nations.Yunus and Hasina’s archrival hail the verdictIn a statement, Yunus said the verdict offered justice to the thousands who were harmed in the uprising: “No one, regardless of power, is above the law.'Ordering the use of lethal force against young people and children, whose only weapons were their voices, violated laws and the basic bond between government and citizens, Yunus added.The Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, headed by Hasina’s archrival, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, hailed the verdict.BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said in a Facebook post that it wasn’t just a judgment on Sheikh Hasina’s crimes, but a “burial of all forms of dictatorship on this country’s soil.”Arson and bomb attacksNearly 50 arson attacks, mostly targeting vehicles, and dozens of crude bombs explosions were reported nationwide over the past week. Two people were killed in the arson attacks, local media reported.Authorities at the Supreme Court, in a letter to army headquarters on Sunday, requested the deployment of soldiers around the tribunal premises ahead of the ruling. Paramilitary border guards and police were deployed in Dhaka and many other parts of the country.Even as judges were still reading out the verdict, police elsewhere in Dhaka charged with batons and used stun grenades to disperse crowds.Her son Sajeeb Wazed, currently in the United States, said in a message to The Associated Press that the “verdict is a joke and meaningless. My mother is safe in India. The trials were so legally flawed they won’t survive any challenge once rule of law returns to Bangladesh.”A few kilometers away from the tribunal, Hasina’s opponents gathered outside the home of her father, Bangladesh's independence hero Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, that is now a museum. They brought two excavators to finish the demolition of the building, which was looted and damaged during earlier protests.By the time evening fell, more than 300 people were still there and burned tires on the streets in Dhanmondi neighborhood while police and soldiers failed to convince them to leave the area.The uprising began with weeks of student-led protests voicing discontent over a quota system for allocating government jobs that critics said favored those with connections to Hasina’s party.Hundreds of people were killed as security forces cracked down on the demonstrations — violence that only fueled them, even after the quota system was dramatically scaled back.

Associated Press 22 minutes ago

Politics

The Heritage Foundation Scandal and the Growth of Anti-Semitism on the Right

Today, Princeton professor and prominent conservative political theorist Robert George resigned from the Heritage Foundation board in protest of Heritage President Kevin Robert's defense of anti-Semitic "influencer" Tucker Carlson and his support of Nick Fuentes, an even more virulent right-wing anti-Semite. George's resignation is the latest of a wave of departures from Heritage, including that of my George Mason University colleague Adam Mossoff, who wrote an eloquent statement explaining why he resigned from his position as a visiting fellow at Heritage. For more detailed accounts of the Heritage controversy and reactions to it, see accounts by Cathy Young at the UnPopulist, and conservative Boston Globe columnist Jeff Jacoby. See also David Bernstein's post about the recent Federalist National Lawyers' Convention panel that addressed the issue of right-wing anti-Semitism, including the Heritage incident. As Young indicates, the rot at Heritage extends far beyond this one incident, and began years ago. George and Mossoff are far from the first to leave Heritage in reaction to its descent into illiberalism and bigotry. Several leading Heritage scholars and policy analysts departed for similar reasons during the last decade, including Todd Gaziano (founding director of Heritage's Edwin Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies), fiscal policy expert Jessica Riedl (then known as Brian Riedl), and foreign policy analyst Kim Holmes (a former Heritage vice president). I myself was a Heritage intern way back in 1994 (when I was a college student and Heritage was a very different institution). I would not work with them today, and I reached that conclusion years ago, based on their descent into illiberal nativism and nationalism. In December 2022, I turned down an invitation to contribute to the new edition of Heritage's Guide to the Constitution. I told the editor (who is my former student and current co-blogger Josh Blackman) that I was busy. That was true, in so far as it went. But my main reason was revulsion at Heritage's shift towards illiberalism and nationalism. If Heritage was still the organization I remembered from 1994, I might well have found the time to contribute. Not wishing to provoke an unpleasant exchange, I shied away from telling Josh the full truth about my reasoning. I was wrong to do so. I should have told the full truth. I hope it is better to do it late than never, so I am doing so now. Sadly, the problem here goes beyond the bigotry of a few "influencers" or the flaws of specific leaders at the Heritage Foundation and other conservative institutions. Rather, as Kim Holmes put it, this is the predictable consequence of "replacing conservatism with nationalism." A conservative movement that increasingly defines itself in ethno-nationalist terms as a protector of the supposed interests of America's white Christian majority against immigrants and minority groups cannot readily avoid descending into anti-Semitism, as well. My Cato Institute colleague Alex Nowrasteh and I wrote about the connections between nationalism and bigotry in some detail in our 2024 article "The Case Against Nationalism." We are working on a follow-up piece that specifically addresses links to anti-Semitism and relate it to current controversies. Obviously, in addition to right-wing anti-Semitism, there are also left-wing varieties, some of which have also become more prominent in recent years. I wrote about them in a 2023 post on the roots of far-left support for Hamas. Right-wing anti-Semitism should not lead us to turn a blind eye to the left-wing varieties (and vice versa). In his resignation letter from the Heritage board, Robert George urged his fellow conservatives to be guided by the principles of the Declaration of Independence, especially the idea that "that each and every member of the human family, irrespective of race, ethnicity, religion, or anything else, as a creature fashioned in the very image of God, is 'created equal' and 'endowed by our Creator with certain unalienable rights.'" George is right. Unlike nationalist movements focused on ethnic particularism, the American Founding was based on universal liberal principles. Those principles remain the best protection for Jews and other minority groups. Left and right alike would do well to recommit to them.

Ilya Somin,Jack Nicastro 23 minutes ago

World

India to triple spacecraft output over next three years

The Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) aims to triple its annual spacecraft production over the next three years, its chairman has said. New Delhi is planning seven more launches in the current financial year, ISRO Chairman V Narayanan told the Press Trust of India (PTI) in an interview on Sunday. India has been focusing on a strategy of rapidly scaling up scientific, technological, and industrial capacity in the space sector. ISRO aims to increase the global share of the country’s space industry from the current 2% to 8% by 2030. The industry, now valued at $8.2 billion, is projected to reach $44 billion by 2033. ISRO’s upcoming launches also include a commercial communication satellite. Narayanan said the organization is targeting a significant milestone with a satellite launch vehicle manufactured entirely domestically. The government has approved the Chandrayaan-4 moon mission for a 2028 launch, he added. It will be India’s most complex venture, aiming to bring back samples from the moon. Currently, only the US, Russia, and China have this capability. The ISRO targets to complete work on its space station by 2035. The first of the five modules for the space station will be placed in orbit by 2028, according to Narayanan. The US-led International Space Station (ISS) is nearing the end of its program, and China's Tiangong is moving into full operation. The ISRO chief clarified that only the timeline for its uncrewed spaceflight mission has been shifted. “Let me make it clear: the uncrewed mission was targeted for 2025. The crewed mission was always planned for 2027, and we are holding on to that date,” he said. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed ISRO to by 2040 work towards sending Indian astronauts to the moon and bringing them back safely, Narayanan said. India’s joint lunar polar exploration program with Japan's Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) aims to conduct studies at the lunar South Pole, he added.

Unknown 23 minutes ago

World

Cartoon Today on November 18, 2025

Education Today Cartoon Today On November 18 2025 Cartoon Today on November 18, 2025 Telangana Today Published Date - 18 November 2025, 10:16 AM Follow Us : Cartoon on Telangana Today Cartoon Today Telangana Today Cartoon Related News Cartoon Today on November 13, 2025 Cartoon Today on November 11, 2025 Cartoon Today on November 8, 2025 Cartoon Today on November 7, 2025 Latest News Cartoon Today on November 18, 2025 39 seconds ago Counter-intelligence Kashmir raids multiple locations in Srinagar, Budgam, Kulgam 15 mins ago Ranveer Singh promises to be ‘The Wrath of God’ in Dhurandhar poster 25 mins ago UNSC approves resolution endorsing Trump’s Gaza peace plan and international force 30 mins ago Gunfight between Security Forces and Naxalites in Bastar 35 mins ago Watch: Six injured as LPG cylinder explodes in Siddipet 60 mins ago Truck rams into jeep in Hyderabad’s Begumpet, passengers injured Delhi blast: ED searches locations linked to Al Falah University and trustees

Telangana Today 25 minutes ago

Politics

Delhi blast accused’s video reveals mindset behind suicide bombing

New Delhi: Days after the Delhi blast, a self-recorded video of the i20 car driver, Dr Umar Mohammad, has surfaced, in which he attempts to justify his malicious plan, and refers to it as "martyrdom operation". In a heavily accented video, Umar attempts to give his terror plan a religious connection. He is heard saying, "One of the very misunderstood concepts is the concept of suicide bombing; it is a martyrdom operation; as it has been known in Islam... There are multiple contradictions and arguments that have been brought against it -- martyrdom operation." He further went on to explain that "martyrdom operation" is "when a person presumes that he is going, for sure, to die at a particular place and time." His video has revealed the suicide-bombing mindset, indicating that he had planned extensively on a large-scale terror operation. According to the sources, officials believe that Umar, one of the main accused in the "white collar" terror module, made this video to brainwash individuals. The car explosion near Delhi's Red Fort Metro Station on November 10 claimed the lives of at least 13 people and injured several others. The car was being driven by Dr Umar, a doctor associated with Faridabad's Al Falah University. Dr Umar was originally from the Koil village in Pulwama. His family members have described him as a reserved and introverted individual who preferred solitude and devoted much of his time to reading. However, police reports indicate that Umar's behaviour had shifted in recent months. He had been absent from his university responsibilities since October 30 and began making frequent trips between Faridabad and Delhi, visiting mosques close to the Ramleela Maidan and Sunehri Masjid. The authorities reported that he went missing on November 9, following police raids in Faridabad that resulted in the seizure of almost 2,900 kg of ammonium nitrate from a storage facility and the subsequent arrests of several of his associates. During the investigation, law enforcement discovered that Umar and Dr Muzammil, who was apprehended after the police dismantled the terror network, had travelled to Turkey, where it is believed their handlers are based.

IANS 25 minutes ago

Sports

Methane pollution still rises, but UN reports hope for near future reductions

BELEM, Brazil — Global efforts to curb emissions of the potent but short-lived heat-trapping gas methane are doing about as poorly as the more prevalent carbon dioxide, but there's hope for the next five years, U officials said Monday.Methane emissions can be a “hand brake” for slowing greenhouse gas pollution and temperatures, said Martina Otto, head of the U.N.'s climate and clean air commission for methane pollution. That's because methane from fossil fuels traps nearly 30 times the heat of the more common carbon dioxide, but because they don't last nearly as long in the air, fast action to cut methane could have a big effect on controlling warming, she said.If countries do what they say in their climate-fighting plans, global methane emissions in 2030 will be 8% below 2020 levels, Otto said. That would be an improvement, because with no effort at all, those emissions are expected to actually rise by 13%.And yet that's not enough. The goal of the 2021 UN global methane pledge is a 30% cut.“We've gained momentum,” Otto said. “We can still make it, but it takes a whole lot of additional effort.”Instead of a 8 percent decrease that the UN is hoping to see, outside expert Bill Hare, CEO of Climate Analytics, said his Climate Action Tracker's projections show methane emissions will remain pretty flat — neither growing or shrinking much — between now and 2030. Either flat or an 8 percent drop as the UN predicts would be better than projections for growing carbon dioxide, he said.Over the last six years, carbon dioxide and methane emissions have grown at roughly the same rate, about 4 percent Hare said.Methane stays in the atmosphere about a dozen years compared to hundreds of years for carbon dioxide.Officials said that for methane emissions that come from burning fossil fuels — about 72 percent of the methane humans put into the air — in many cases it would save companies money to capture and use gas that is just burned off at drilling sites because it's easier, often because there is no infrastructure to collect it and transport it. They could make money capturing the leaking or flaring methane, but the return on investment on capturing leaking methane is not as big as new exploration, Otto said.“This report shows some very hard truths but also a sliver of hope,” said Oxford University’s Paul Behrens.European energy and housing commissioner Dan Jørgensen said the last five years have shown 'unparalleled action'' to reduce methane emissions.“It takes time to see results,” Jørgensen said. “Persistence and patience are key.”

Agence France-Presse 26 minutes ago

Business

Alternergy to acquire 95% stake in Cebu wind project, expanding Visayas portfolio

Alternergy Holdings Corp. said in a statement on Monday its subsidiary, Alternergy Wind Holdings Corp., will acquire a 95 percent equity stake in MC Project Solutions Inc. (MCPSI), which has been developing the Alegria wind project in Cebu with a capacity of 56 to 80 megawatts (MW). The Alegria Wind Project is in the pre-development stage and has been chosen as one of the winning bidders in the Department of Energy’s fourth Green Energy Auction, Alternergy Holdings said. The project has a committed delivery date in late 2028, the company said. It added in a disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange that it has been working to acquire 2,375,000 shares of the MCPSI for the Cebu wind project “for an aggregate investment amount of P2.5 million.” “We are excited to develop our first wind project in Cebu, which marks a significant step in expanding our renewable energy portfolio into the Visayas Grid,” Alternergy president Gerry Magbanua said. He said the acquisition of the Alegria Cebu wind project will contribute to accomplishing Alternergy’s goal of reaching a total energy capacity from renewable energy projects of 1,000 MW by 2030. “Given the track record of Alternergy in wind project development, we are pleased to collaborate with Alternergy in developing the first wind energy undertaking on the island of Cebu,” MCPSI chief executive officer Pedro Pascual said. Other projects currently pursued by Alternergy include the 128-MW Tanay Rizal Wind Power Project and the 64-MW Alabat Wind Power Project in Quezon Province. The two wind projects are among five RE projects under construction by Alternergy as it aims to have at least 500 MW worth of capacity by 2026. Apart from wind power projects, Alternergy is also currently developing the 28-MW-peak Solana solar power project in Bataan; the 4.6-MW Dupinga run-of-river hydro project in Nueva Ecija; and the 17.4-MW Kiangan run-of-river project in Ifugao Province. Earlier this year, the company said it has been working to achieve a total generating capacity of 311 MW by the end of 2025, from its existing RE portfolio of 86 MW.

Jed Macapagal 27 minutes ago

Politics

Bishop, environmental group take PH govt to court over hidden mining data

MANILA, Philippines -- An environmental legal group and a Catholic bishop petitioned the Supreme Court to strike down a government regulation that allegedly illegally withheld vital environmental information from the public.The Legal Rights and Natural Resources Center (LRC) and Bishop Cerilo Casicas of the Diocese of Marbel in Koronadal, South Cotabato are asking the high court to declare the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Freedom of Information (FOI) Manual as unconstitutional.The petition, filed against Executive Secretary Ralph Recto and DENR Secretary Raphael Lotilla claimed the manual has been used to systematically deny public access to Environmental Impact Statements (EIS), mining application documents, and data related to flood control projects.At the heart of the legal challenge are two specific exceptions listed in the DENR FOI Manual: one that blocks access to 'any data in the course of applying for an Environmental Compliance Certificate (ECC)' and another that restricts a wide range of mining documents 'during the lifetime or existence of a mining permit.'The petitioners argued that this has created a 'blanket restriction' on information related to 447 major environmentally critical projects across the country, including 69 heavy industries, 173 resource extractive industries, and 169 infrastructure projects.The case stemmed from LRC's repeated failed attempts to obtain documents concerning the massive Tampakan Copper-Gold Project in South Cotabato. Despite multiple requests and appeals between 2023 and 2025, the DENR and its bureaus denied access to the project's EIS, feasibility study, and other key documents, citing the contested FOI Manual.The petition also highlights that requests for information on flood control projects, amid recent corruption scandals, were similarly denied.The LRC and Bishop Casicas contend that this secrecy violates the constitutional right to information on matters of public concern, the state policy of full public disclosure, and the rights to a balanced ecology, health, and public participation in decision-making.'The DENR FOI Manual has become the primary obstacle to the meaningful exercise of the constitutional right to information on matters of public environmental concern,' the petitioners stated.They are asking the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order to halt the manual's implementation immediately and, after deliberation, to permanently void the regulation for being unconstitutional.

Franco Jose C. Baroña 27 minutes ago

Technology

Heat sobreviven a un frenético final y vencen 115-113 a los Knicks

MIAMI (AP) — Norman Powell anotó 19 puntos, Kel’el Ware terminó con 16 unidades y 14 rebotes, y el Heat de Miami resistió una frenética remontada en los momentos finales para vencer 115-113 a los Knicks de Nueva York el lunes por la noche. Davion Mitchell anotó 18 unidades para Miami, que obtuvo 14 de Simone Fontecchio y 13 cada uno del mexicano Jaime Jaquez Jr. y Pelle Larsson. Deuce McBride anotó 25 para Nueva York, que obtuvo 23 de Mikal Bridges y un esfuerzo de 22 tantos y 16 rebotes de Karl-Anthony Towns. Miami lideraba por diez con tres minutos restantes antes de que los Knicks terminaran con una racha de 11-3. Nueva York se acercó a un punto con un triple de Towns con 22,4 segundos restantes, y Mitchell devolvió la ventaja de Miami a dos aproximadamente un segundo después al hacer el segundo de dos tiros libres. Eso preparó una posesión final muy agitada para Nueva York, en la que los Knicks pensaron que empataron el juego con una llamada de interferencia que fue anulada tras la revisión. McBride falló un tiro, Towns consiguió el rebote ofensivo y falló, y los árbitros dijeron que Ware era culpable de interferencia —la llamada que fue anulada. El juego se reanudó con un salto en el centro de la cancha que los Knicks controlaron. McBride falló de nuevo, Towns consiguió dos rebotes ofensivos más y falló ambos intentos de empatar, y el juego terminó con Mitchell habiendo capturado el rebote final para Miami cuando el tiempo expiró. El Heat nuevamente estuvo sin Bam Adebayo (dedo del pie) y Tyler Herro (tobillo). Los Knicks estuvieron sin Jalen Brunson (tobillo) y OG Anunoby (isquiotibiales). Miami tuvo una ventaja de 43-28 en puntos desde el banquillo; los únicos suplentes de los Knicks que anotaron fueron Josh Hart y Jordan Clarkson, quienes terminaron ambos con 14 puntos. Deportes en español AP: https://apnews.com/hub/deportes

Associated Press Spanish 28 minutes ago