Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, held a funeral on Monday for its top military commander, Haytham Ali Tabatabai, and other members killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut’s southern suburbs. Tabatabai, the most senior Hezbollah leader to be assassinated since a November 2024 ceasefire, was targeted as Israel intensified its attacks on Lebanon. The United States has simultaneously increased pressure on the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, further complicating the region’s fragile stability. Israel’s military confirmed the operation, stating it had “eliminated the terrorist Haytham Ali Tabatabai, Hezbollah’s chief of general staff.” The strike has reignited tensions, with Hezbollah supporters chanting anti-Israel and anti-American slogans during the funeral procession. The group has rejected calls to disarm, despite a government-approved plan to dismantle its military infrastructure. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to prevent Hezbollah from rebuilding its power, urging Lebanon to fulfill its disarmament commitments. Analysts suggest Hezbollah’s options are limited, as direct retaliation could provoke severe Israeli counterstrikes. The assassination underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, with Lebanon’s government struggling to balance internal pressures and external demands.
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Jansen takes six as South Africa close in on historic Test series win
South Africa’s towering pace spearhead Marco Jansen delivered a stellar performance, claiming six wickets to edge his team closer to a historic Test series victory in India. On day three of the second Test in Guwahati, Jansen’s figures of 6-48 dismantled India’s first innings, restricting them to 201 in response to South Africa’s commanding 489. Despite a 288-run deficit, the tourists opted not to enforce the follow-on, choosing instead to bat again and extend their lead. At stumps, South Africa were 26-0, with Ryan Rickelton (13) and Aiden Markram (12) at the crease, pushing their overall lead to 314. Jansen’s brilliance, coupled with disciplined bowling from the spinners, left India reeling. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 58 and a resilient 72-run partnership between Washington Sundar (48) and Kuldeep Yadav (19) offered brief resistance, but India’s batting crumbled under pressure. South Africa, having won the first Test in Kolkata, are now on the verge of their first Test series win in India since 2000. The hosts, meanwhile, face mounting scrutiny after their fourth defeat in six home Tests.
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Tatiana Schlossberg’s emotional essay raises awareness of rare leukaemia
Tatiana Schlossberg, granddaughter of former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, has moved the nation with her poignant essay detailing her diagnosis of terminal cancer shortly after the birth of her second child. Published in *The New Yorker*, the 35-year-old revealed her fight against acute myeloid leukemia (AML), an aggressive and often treatment-resistant blood cancer, with a prognosis of less than a year to live. Her story has not only touched hearts but also underscored the urgent need for increased funding and research into rare and deadly cancers. Schlossberg’s diagnosis came in May 2024, following an abnormally high white blood cell count detected after childbirth. Despite considering herself exceptionally healthy, she was confronted with a rare subtype of AML, known as Inversion 3, which affects only 1-2% of AML patients and has limited effective therapies. Her treatment journey included bone marrow transplants, chemotherapy, and participation in a clinical trial for CAR-T-cell therapy, a groundbreaking immunotherapy. However, even these advanced treatments offered little hope for remission. In her essay, Schlossberg also criticized her cousin, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., for slashing nearly half a billion dollars in funding for mRNA research, a technology with potential applications in cancer treatment. Kennedy’s decision, rooted in skepticism of mRNA technology, has reportedly created a chilling effect across the research community, deterring scientists from pursuing innovative clinical trials. Physicians and researchers have praised Schlossberg’s courage in sharing her story, emphasizing that her access to top-tier care highlights the broader need for improved screening tools and treatments for all patients. Her battle serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of sustained investment in biomedical research to combat deadly diseases like AML.
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Syria: Tensions flare in Homs after killing of Bedouin couple sparks sectarian unrest
A tragic incident in the central Syrian city of Homs has sparked a wave of sectarian violence, threatening the fragile stability of the region. On Sunday, the brutal killing of a Sunni Bedouin man and his wife in the town of Zaidal, located 7km east of Homs, ignited widespread unrest. According to the state-run SANA news agency, the man was stoned to death, while his wife was burned alive. Disturbingly, sectarian slogans and threats were reportedly scrawled on walls at the scene, allegedly using the victims’ own blood.
In the aftermath, armed members of the Bani Khaled tribe, to which the victims belonged, launched retaliatory attacks in Alawi-majority areas of Homs. Reports from the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights detailed the destruction of homes and vehicles, accompanied by indiscriminate gunfire. Social media videos captured the chaos, showing Bedouin tribesmen setting properties ablaze, while plainclothed security forces assisted Alawi residents in evacuating their neighborhoods.
Local authorities swiftly imposed a curfew, later extended to Monday evening, in an effort to quell the violence. By 16:00 GMT Monday, SANA reported that the unrest had subsided. Syria’s interior ministry appealed for calm, urging residents to allow the investigation into the killings to proceed without interference. Interior ministry spokesman Noreddine al-Baba emphasized that there was ‘no material evidence’ to suggest the killings were sectarian in nature. Similarly, Murhaf al-Naasan, head of Homs’ internal security forces, warned that the incident appeared to be an attempt to incite sectarian divisions and destabilize the region.
Homs, Syria’s third-largest city, is home to a diverse population of Sunni and Shia Muslims, Alawis, and Christians. The city had largely avoided the sectarian violence that erupted in March, when clashes between government loyalists and new security forces led to hundreds of Alawi deaths. In a video released on social media, members of the Bani Khaled tribe called for a thorough investigation and justice for the victims, while rejecting efforts to frame the incident as a sectarian conflict.
This tragic event underscores the delicate balance of coexistence in Homs and the broader challenges facing Syria as it navigates its complex social and political landscape.
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Report on Shenzhen-Jiangmen railway collapse documents regulation violations
A recent report by the Department of Emergency Management of Guangdong Province has unveiled the causes behind the tragic collapse on the Shenzhen-Jiangmen railway line, which occurred on December 4 last year. The incident, which claimed 13 lives and caused direct financial losses of approximately 72.61 million yuan ($10.22 million), was attributed to severe regulatory violations by the construction contractor. The investigation revealed that the contractor failed to halt excavation or enhance support when tunneling through geologically unstable sections, leading to repeated collapses and ground subsidence. This negligence resulted in workers falling along with the collapsing ground, ultimately causing fatalities. The report also highlighted systemic failures across multiple entities, including construction, project management, design, and supervision units, all of which demonstrated lapses in risk management, emergency response, and on-site management. Additionally, safety supervision and industry regulatory bodies were found to have inadequately exercised their oversight duties. As a result, the responsible units will face administrative penalties and internal accountability measures, with evidence of suspected dereliction of duty by relevant personnel being transferred to disciplinary inspection and supervisory authorities.
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Judge dismisses cases against ex-FBI director Comey and NY attorney general James
A U.S. judge has dismissed criminal charges against former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the charges was unlawfully appointed. Judge Cameron Currie determined that Lindsey Halligan, handpicked by former President Donald Trump to prosecute his political adversaries, was ineligible for the role. Halligan, a former White House aide with no prior prosecutorial experience, was appointed in violation of the statute governing interim U.S. attorneys. Judge Currie stated that all actions stemming from Halligan’s appointment, including the indictment of Comey, were unlawful exercises of executive power and were therefore nullified. Both Comey and James have consistently maintained their innocence, describing the charges as politically motivated. The White House has indicated that the Justice Department will appeal the dismissal, asserting that Halligan’s appointment was legal. Comey expressed relief that the prosecution, which he characterized as ‘based on malevolence and incompetence,’ had ended but warned that Trump would likely target him again. James, who faced federal charges of bank fraud and false statements, hailed the ruling as a victory and reaffirmed her commitment to fighting for New Yorkers. The cases were dismissed ‘without prejudice,’ leaving open the possibility of future legal action.
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GX Foundation opens its global headquarters in Hong Kong
The GX Foundation, a renowned Hong Kong-based international medical humanitarian organization, celebrated its 7th anniversary and inaugurated its global headquarters in Hong Kong on November 22, 2025. The event, held at the historic No. 4 Hospital Road in Mid-Levels West, was graced by prominent figures including Leung Chun-ying, Chairman of GX Foundation and Vice-Chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, John Lee Ka-chiu, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), Zhou Ji, Director of the Liaison Office of the Central People’s Government in HKSAR, and Li Yongsheng, Acting Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry’s office in HKSAR. The ceremony commenced with a performance by the Hong Kong Gaudeamus Dunhuang Ensemble, followed by video messages of congratulations from Chinese ambassadors worldwide. Over 100 distinguished guests, including government officials, overseas Chinese representatives, and diplomats from countries such as Cambodia, Laos, and Senegal, attended the event. In his speech, Leung highlighted the transformation of the century-old Grade II historic building, originally a shelter for street cleaners, into a hub for global humanitarian efforts. He emphasized the foundation’s commitment to advancing international medical cooperation and fostering ‘people-to-people connectivity.’ John Lee praised GX’s significant contributions, including over 25,000 free cataract surgeries and efforts to combat infectious diseases globally. Li Yongsheng underscored GX’s alignment with the Belt and Road Initiative’s principles of ‘extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits.’ The following day, GX opened its doors to the public, offering guided tours led by heritage conservation expert Caspar Yam Ming-ho. The foundation also launched its 2025-2026 Youth Ambassador Program, aimed at nurturing the next generation of humanitarian workers.
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New shared bank account lets UAE families track spending, save together
Wio Bank has unveiled Wio Family, the UAE’s first fully shared banking platform, designed to help households manage finances collectively. Launched ahead of the UAE’s Year of the Family, the service allows two primary account holders, termed ‘Family Leads,’ to open a shared account and invite family members, including children, teenagers, and relatives, to join. The platform offers tools for shared spending, saving, and budgeting, providing families with greater financial clarity and control. Virtual cards and permission settings enable Family Leads to set spending limits, track transactions, and manage access for each member through a single dashboard. For children aged 8 to 17, dedicated ‘Pockets’ with spending caps and saving features are available to teach money management. Families maintaining a minimum balance of Dh35,000 can access all benefits free of charge; otherwise, a monthly fee of Dh49 applies. Jayesh Patel, CEO of Wio Bank, emphasized the platform’s focus on treating money as a shared resource, offering families ‘clarity, flexibility, and control.’ CMO Amina Taher highlighted the platform’s role in helping families save for joint goals such as homes, education, or weddings, bringing everyone together for shared financial success.
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Billionaire Lakshmi Mittal relocating to Dubai amid UK tax reforms, says report
Indian steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal, one of the world’s wealthiest individuals, is reportedly relocating from the UK to Dubai. This move comes as the UK’s Labour government introduces significant tax reforms targeting high-net-worth individuals. Mittal, who has been a long-term resident of London and ranks eighth on the UK rich list, is the latest in a growing trend of ultra-wealthy individuals seeking more favorable tax environments. According to The Sunday Times, Mittal’s decision is driven by concerns over inheritance tax and other fiscal changes. The billionaire, with a net worth of $20 billion as of October 2025, already owns a lavish mansion in Dubai and has recently acquired substantial properties on Naia Island, a new ultra-luxury development near Jumeirah. The UK’s recent tax adjustments, including increased capital gains tax and reduced relief for entrepreneurs, have raised alarms among the global elite. Meanwhile, Dubai’s zero income tax, capital gains tax, and inheritance tax policies, coupled with its political stability and cosmopolitan lifestyle, have solidified its status as a premier destination for the ultra-rich. The UAE’s Golden Visa program, offering long-term residency through real estate investment, further enhances its appeal. As Dubai’s luxury real estate market thrives, the city is emerging as a hub for intergenerational wealth creation and preservation.
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Companies tone down price hike talk as tariff fog clears
In a notable shift, global companies have significantly reduced their announcements of price hikes in the third quarter of 2025, as clarity on long-term tariff strategies begins to emerge. According to a Reuters analysis of corporate earnings calls and statements, only 28 companies explicitly mentioned raising prices, a sharp decline from 51 in the second quarter and nearly 90 in the first quarter. This trend reflects a cautious approach by businesses navigating the complexities of U.S. trade policies and consumer spending slowdowns. The reduction in tariff-related price hikes coincides with new trade deals that have alleviated some of the financial pressures caused by the Trump-era trade war, which had driven U.S. import tariffs to their highest levels since the 1930s. Market intelligence platform AlphaSense reported a 68% drop in mentions of tariff-related price increases between the first and third quarters. Companies like Walmart have shifted focus to price cuts and discounts to attract cash-strapped consumers, particularly as the holiday shopping season approaches. Retailers and fast-food chains, including Target, McDonald’s, and Yum Brands, have introduced cheaper meal bundles and limited-time offers to counter declining demand among lower-income households. Meanwhile, industrial and consumer sectors have led pricing actions, with many firms absorbing tariff costs or sharing the burden with suppliers. Companies such as Rockwell Automation and Fictiv emphasize the importance of understanding the long-term tariff strategy before making significant pricing adjustments. This cautious approach highlights the ongoing uncertainty in global trade and the delicate balance businesses must strike between maintaining competitiveness and managing costs.