In a star-studded ceremony celebrating his illustrious career, Tom Cruise was awarded an honorary Oscar, recognizing his contributions to cinema spanning over four decades. The 63-year-old actor, a four-time Oscar nominee but never a winner, was honored for his iconic roles in films such as ‘Risky Business,’ the ‘Top Gun’ series, and the ‘Mission: Impossible’ franchise. The event, held on Sunday, also saw director Alejandro Inarritu praising Cruise’s precision and dedication, emphasizing that his talent extends far beyond the daring stunts he is renowned for. Cruise, in his acceptance speech, reflected on his lifelong passion for cinema, recounting how childhood experiences in theaters inspired him to pursue a career in filmmaking. ‘Making films is not what I do. It’s who I am,’ he declared, vowing to continue supporting the art form and nurturing new voices in the industry. The gala also honored Dolly Parton with the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award for her philanthropic work, including her efforts to provide millions of books to children. Other recipients included Debbie Allen and Wynn Thomas, celebrated for their contributions to the arts.
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High-speed rail linking China’s old revolutionary base with Xi’an begins trial operation
A groundbreaking high-speed railway connecting Xi’an, the capital of Shaanxi province, with Yan’an, a city of immense historical significance, has officially entered its trial operation phase. This marks a pivotal step toward the full operational launch of the 299.8-kilometer line, designed to travel at speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour. The trial run began on Monday morning with the departure of test train 55302 from Xi’an, transitioning from joint debugging and testing to operational simulations. Once fully operational, the railway will reduce travel time between the two cities from 2.5 hours to approximately one hour. Yan’an, known as the revolutionary base of the Communist Party of China from 1937 to 1947, holds a special place in the nation’s history. This project not only enhances regional connectivity but also underscores the modernization of transportation infrastructure in northern Shaanxi. The high-speed rail is expected to boost economic development, tourism, and cultural exchange in the region, further integrating Yan’an into the broader national network.
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Top US admiral says he’s watching China’s rapid naval buildup closely
In a significant address during his 10-day tour of the Asia-Pacific region, U.S. Admiral Daryl Caudle expressed admiration for China’s burgeoning shipbuilding capabilities while underscoring the critical importance of American alliances with Japan and South Korea. Speaking in Tokyo on Monday, Caudle described China’s naval expansion as ‘impressive,’ particularly highlighting the recent commissioning of its latest aircraft carrier, Fujian, and the sea trials of its advanced amphibious assault ship. Despite China’s numerical advantage in total ships, the U.S. Navy maintains superiority in key vessel categories such as aircraft carriers and amphibious assault ships. Caudle emphasized that China’s global deployment of these assets remains a concern for U.S. strategic interests. However, he reassured that the combined naval capabilities of the U.S. and its regional allies, including Japan, South Korea, and Australia, form a formidable counterbalance. Caudle’s visit coincides with heightened tensions between Japan and China, as Japan’s new conservative Prime Minister has suggested a potential military response to any Chinese aggression toward Taiwan. Earlier in the day, Caudle toured the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka and a local shipbuilding facility, reiterating the U.S. commitment to bolstering its shipbuilding capacity through collaboration with Japan and South Korea. He also described South Korea’s recent agreement to develop a nuclear-powered submarine as ‘very nascent,’ while noting Japan’s interest in similar technology, which may face public opposition due to the nation’s historical trauma and non-nuclear principles.
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Bangladeshi ex-PM Hasina sentenced to death for crackdown on student uprising
In a landmark ruling on Monday, a Bangladesh court sentenced former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to death for crimes against humanity, marking a pivotal moment in the nation’s turbulent political landscape. The verdict, delivered by Judge Golam Mortuza Mozumder in Dhaka, found Hasina guilty on three counts, including incitement, ordering killings, and failing to prevent atrocities during a deadly crackdown on a student-led uprising that led to her ousting in August 2024. The court also sentenced former Interior Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, a fugitive, to death on four counts of similar crimes. Former police chief Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, who pleaded guilty, received a five-year prison term. The trial, conducted in absentia, detailed how Hasina allegedly ordered mass killings, with the United Nations estimating up to 1,400 deaths during the crackdown. Hasina, 78, has dismissed the trial as a ‘jurisprudential joke’ and refused to recognize the court’s authority. The verdict, broadcast live on national television, has intensified political tensions ahead of elections scheduled for February 2026. Security forces were on high alert in Dhaka, with armoured vehicles deployed across the city following recent bombings targeting government-linked buildings and religious sites. Hasina remains defiant, warning that the interim government’s ban on her Awami League party is exacerbating the political crisis in the country of 170 million people.
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Tenable named a leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Exposure Assessment Platforms
Tenable (NASDAQ: TENB), a leading exposure management company, has been recognized as a Leader in the inaugural 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Exposure Assessment Platforms. The company achieved the highest position for Ability to Execute and was placed furthest to the right for Completeness of Vision. This recognition underscores Tenable’s leadership in the rapidly evolving cybersecurity landscape. Additionally, Tenable was named a Leader in both the IDC MarketScape: Worldwide Exposure Management 2025 Vendor Assessment and The Forrester Wave: Unified Vulnerability Management, Q3 2025. Tenable’s mission is to help organizations understand and mitigate risk by providing a comprehensive view of vulnerabilities across modern attack surfaces, including AI, cloud, IT, identity, third-party systems, web applications, and operational technology (OT). The Tenable One Exposure Management Platform offers organizations actionable insights to identify and address exposures swiftly. Mark Thurmond, co-CEO of Tenable, emphasized the significance of this recognition, stating, ‘Being named a Leader in the first Gartner Magic Quadrant for Exposure Assessment Platforms validates our proactive approach to cybersecurity. We’ve moved beyond reactive measures to help customers stay ahead of threats.’ Tenable’s platform integrates risk-based analytics and over 300 ecosystem integrations, trusted by more than 44,000 organizations globally. The company’s focus on Continuous Threat Exposure Management (CTEM), a framework introduced by Gartner, has positioned it as a pioneer in the shift from vulnerability management to exposure management. Thurmond added, ‘In an era where AI is weaponized, detection and response alone are insufficient. Exposure management provides a preemptive, holistic view of the attack surface, and Tenable One is uniquely equipped to deliver this.’
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Philippine President Marcos Jr rejects drug use accusations by his sister
In a dramatic turn of events, Philippine Senator Imee Marcos, the estranged sister of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., publicly accused him on Monday of being a long-term drug addict. She claimed his alleged cocaine dependence has led to governance issues, including widespread corruption. These allegations, however, were swiftly dismissed by the president’s spokesperson, Claire Castro, who labeled them as recycled and baseless. Castro suggested that Senator Marcos’ accusations might be a desperate attempt to divert attention from ongoing investigations into a corruption scandal involving flood control projects, which could implicate her allies in the Senate. Castro urged the senator to support the president’s anti-corruption efforts rather than shielding those under scrutiny. The scandal, which has sparked public outrage, involves allegations that influential members of Congress and the Senate received kickbacks from construction companies awarded lucrative contracts for substandard or incomplete flood-control projects. This issue is particularly sensitive in the Philippines, a country frequently ravaged by deadly floods and typhoons. Senator Marcos, a high-profile ally of former President Rodrigo Duterte, a vocal critic of Marcos Jr., made the accusations during a speech at a rally organized by a religious group in Manila. She claimed the president’s drug addiction began during their father’s presidency and has persisted, affecting his health and governance. She also alleged that the president’s wife and children are drug users, though no evidence was provided. The senator’s relationship with her brother has reportedly been strained since he assumed the presidency in 2022. In response to the senator’s claims, Castro criticized her for not addressing Duterte’s past admission of using fentanyl, a powerful opioid, and his alleged links to corruption. The political tension between the Marcos and Duterte families continues to escalate, with Vice President Sara Duterte, Rodrigo Duterte’s daughter, being one of the most vocal critics of the current administration. The accusations and counter-accusations highlight the deepening political divide in the Philippines, as the nation grapples with corruption and governance challenges.
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What to know about abductions of schoolchildren in Nigeria
In a troubling development, Nigeria has reported yet another abduction of schoolchildren in its volatile northern region, specifically in Kebbi state. The perpetrators of this latest incident remain unidentified, but it underscores the persistent insecurity plaguing Africa’s most populous nation. This pattern of kidnappings, which has become a grim hallmark of Nigeria’s northern crisis, has affected both children and adults, transcending religious and ethnic divides. The notorious Boko Haram insurgency, responsible for the mass abduction of 276 Chibok schoolgirls in 2014, has been a significant player in this crisis. However, other armed groups, including bandits motivated by financial gain, have also been active. Since the Chibok tragedy, over 1,500 students have been abducted, highlighting the ongoing vulnerability of educational institutions in the region. Boko Haram, which seeks to impose an Islamic state and rejects Western education, has seen a resurgence this year, with many of its fighters now aligned with an Islamic State affiliate. These groups continue to recruit vulnerable youth in a region where Nigerian authorities and humanitarian organizations struggle to maintain safety. Meanwhile, bandits, often former herders turned armed militants, target schools for ransom, exploiting the under-policed and vast landscape. The U.S.-backed Africa Center for Strategic Studies has noted that these bandits are responsible for a significant number of deaths in the northwest, rivaling the impact of Boko Haram and its affiliates in the northeast. Despite military efforts, including airstrikes and special operations, Islamic extremists have repeatedly overrun military outposts and raided civilian communities. In response to the escalating crisis, President Bola Tinubu recently replaced Nigeria’s security chiefs, and the U.S. government approved a $346 million arms sale to bolster Nigeria’s counterinsurgency efforts. However, the situation remains dire, with growing concerns about the links between bandits and militant groups, further complicating the security landscape.
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Pope could soon decide fate of Spain bishop accused of abuse, under investigation by church
In a significant development within the Spanish Catholic Church, Pope Leo XIV is reportedly considering the resignation of Bishop Rafael Zornoza of Cádiz, who is currently under investigation for alleged sexual abuse of a young seminarian in the 1990s. The announcement was made by Archbishop Luis Javier Argüello García, head of the Spanish Catholic Bishops Conference, during a press briefing in St. Peter’s Square on Monday. The case marks the first publicly known investigation of a Spanish bishop accused of abuse, as the church grapples with its history of misconduct and cover-ups. The diocese of Cádiz has denied the allegations but confirmed that a canonical investigation is underway by the church court in Madrid, known as the Rota. Bishop Zornoza, 76, who is battling an aggressive form of cancer, has temporarily suspended his duties to cooperate with the investigation. The accusations, which date back nearly three decades, involve claims that Zornoza abused a former seminarian from the ages of 14 to 21 while serving as a priest and director of the diocesan seminary in Getafe. The victim’s letter to the Vatican detailed disturbing accounts of abuse, including inappropriate physical contact and psychological manipulation. Archbishop Argüello emphasized the importance of both the victim’s right to come forward and the presumption of innocence for the accused. Zornoza had previously offered his resignation upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 75, but it was not immediately accepted. The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of abuse within the Spanish Catholic Church, which has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years. In 2023, Spain’s first official probe into church abuse suggested that the number of victims could be in the hundreds of thousands. The Spanish Catholic bishops have since launched a compensation plan for victims, following government pressure to address the crisis.
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Honey Singh on the rise: Indian rapper is back with a global tour and renewed life
In celebration of the 54th Eid Al Etihad, the Sharjah government has announced a five-day paid holiday for its employees. The holiday, which underscores the UAE’s commitment to honoring national unity and cultural heritage, will allow workers to fully participate in the festivities. Additionally, the UAE Ministry of Education has declared a holiday for both public and private schools, ensuring that students and educators alike can join in the commemorations. This move reflects the nation’s emphasis on fostering a sense of community and shared identity during this significant occasion. The holiday period is expected to boost local tourism and family gatherings, further enhancing the festive spirit across the Emirates.
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UAE golf courses celebrate big wins at 2025 World Golf Awards in Madeira
The 12th edition of the World Golf Awards, held in Madeira, highlighted the UAE’s growing prominence as a global golfing hub. The event, which has been a benchmark for excellence in the golf industry since its inception in 2014, celebrated the UAE’s top courses, clubs, and tourism partners. This year’s awards underscored the nation’s transformation of golf into a cornerstone of its sports, tourism, and lifestyle identity. Trump International Golf Club Dubai was named the Middle East’s Best Golf Course, while Dubai claimed the title of the Middle East’s Best Golf Destination. Other notable UAE winners included Al Dhannah Golf Club in Abu Dhabi for the Middle East’s Best Nine-Hole Golf Course, Al Hamra Golf Club in Ras Al Khaimah for the Middle East’s Best Eco-Friendly Golf Facility, and Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club in Ajman for the Middle East’s Best Clubhouse. The UAE also secured several regional awards, including Best Golf Course for The Els Club in Dubai, Best In-Bound Golf Tour Operator for Arabian Oryx Travel & Tourism, and Best Golf Hotel for St. Regis Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi. Sir Nick Faldo, a six-time major champion, was honored as Golf Designer of the Year, reflecting his ongoing contributions to the sport. Chris Frost, Managing Director of the World Golf Awards, praised the 2025 winners for their innovation and excellence, noting the growing global influence of golf tourism. The UAE’s success at the awards is a testament to its commitment to sustainability, world-class course design, and a thriving tournament calendar, solidifying its position as a leading golf destination.