Thousands of LGBTQ+ activists and supporters flooded the Copacabana boardwalk in Rio de Janeiro for the city’s annual Pride parade on Sunday. The event took on a particularly celebratory tone following the preemptive jailing of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, known for his homophobic rhetoric. Demonstrators, addressing the crowd from decorated trucks, chanted, “He’s in prison!” and “Out with Bolsonaro!” to roaring applause from rainbow-clad attendees. Bolsonaro, who once described himself as a “proud homophobe,” was sentenced in September to 27 years in prison for attempting a coup after his 2022 electoral defeat. His recent imprisonment, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, was cited as a necessary measure due to his flight risk. Revelers, including Emy Mateus Santos, a 25-year-old arts professor, expressed joy at the development, viewing it as a victory against hate. Santos, wearing the colors of the Brazilian flag, stated, “It shows that fighting hate is worth it and that the future is possible for people like us.” The parade also highlighted ongoing struggles, with participants carrying banners advocating for LGBTQ+ rights and denouncing violence. Organizers reflected on the march’s 30-year history, noting progress but emphasizing the need for continued advocacy. Cláudio Nascimento, a longtime organizer, recalled the early days when participants wore masks to avoid recognition, contrasting it with today’s celebrations of visibility. Despite advancements, violence against LGBTQ+ individuals remains a pressing issue, with 291 reported violent deaths in 2024 alone. Activists like Flávio Salgueiro stressed the importance of unity in the face of societal challenges, while Dani Balbi, Rio’s first trans woman elected to the state assembly, hailed Bolsonaro’s imprisonment as a hopeful step toward a more inclusive future.
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Indian billionaire Netra Mantena’s wedding: From JLo to Trump Jr, guest list revealed
The city of Udaipur has been transformed into a hub of glitz and glamour as the wedding festivities of Indian billionaire Netra Mantena and AI entrepreneur Vamsi Gadiraju unfolded over the past few days. The event, a grand celebration of love and opulence, attracted a constellation of celebrities from across the globe, including global music icon Jennifer Lopez, Bollywood heavyweights like Karan Johar, Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Kriti Sanon, and Sophie Choudry, and even international figures such as Donald Trump Jr. and his girlfriend, Bettina Anderson. Jennifer Lopez, who arrived in Udaipur on Saturday, was greeted by the Indian paparazzi, with her warm interactions captured and widely shared on social media. The wedding, a blend of traditional Indian customs and modern extravagance, featured electrifying performances, with Ranveer Singh stealing the show. The Bollywood star delivered a high-energy rap of ‘Apna Time Ayega’ from the film ‘Gully Boy’ and even managed to get Trump Jr. and Anderson to groove to his hit track ‘What Jhumka’ from ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani.’ Netra Mantena, the daughter of Orlando-based billionaires Padmaja and Rama Raju Mantena, and Vamsi Gadiraju, co-founder of AI company Superorder, tied the knot in a ceremony that has set social media abuzz with clips and images of the lavish celebrations. The event not only highlighted the couple’s prominence but also underscored Udaipur’s status as a preferred destination for high-profile weddings.
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Smriti Mandhana’s wedding with Palash Muchhal postponed after cricketer’s father unwell
The much-anticipated wedding of Indian cricketer Smriti Mandhana and Bollywood music composer Palash Muchhal has been indefinitely postponed following the sudden illness of Mandhana’s father. Srinivas Mandhana, the cricketer’s father, was rushed to a private hospital in Sangli, Maharashtra, on November 23, 2025, after feeling unwell during breakfast. Tuhin Mishra, Mandhana’s business manager, confirmed the news, stating that the family decided to prioritize Srinivas’s health over the wedding festivities. ‘Smriti is very close to her father. She has decided that the marriage will not proceed until he recovers,’ Mishra told reporters. The wedding, originally scheduled for November 23, was called off as Srinivas remains under medical observation. Earlier, glimpses of the pre-wedding celebrations, including the sangeet night, had gone viral on social media, showcasing the couple’s joyous moments with friends and family. The cricketing community and fans have expressed their support for Mandhana during this challenging time. It is unclear when the wedding will be rescheduled.
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China-South Africa relationship lauded at G20 Summit
The enduring and robust partnership between China and South Africa has been highlighted as a cornerstone of international cooperation during the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg. Vincent Magwenya, spokesperson for South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, described the bilateral relationship as ‘an excellent partnership that resonates in multilateral engagements.’ Speaking to China Daily, Magwenya underscored the alignment of both nations on critical global issues, particularly those central to South Africa’s G20 presidency. He emphasized that the strength of this collaboration is unequivocal, with no room for doubt or ambiguity. The remarks come at a time when both countries are deepening their ties across various sectors, including trade, infrastructure, and global governance. The G20 Summit served as a platform to showcase this partnership as a model of effective bilateral cooperation in addressing shared challenges and advancing mutual interests on the global stage.
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Arne Slot takes blame after Liverpool stunned by Nottingham Forest
Liverpool’s Premier League campaign hit a new low as they suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest at Anfield on Saturday. The loss, which marked their sixth defeat in seven league matches, left manager Arne Slot shouldering the blame for the team’s dismal performance. Forest’s tactical masterclass, orchestrated by manager Sean Dyche, exploited Liverpool’s defensive vulnerabilities and lack of attacking precision. Murillo, Nicolo Savona, and Morgan Gibbs-White were the goal scorers, delivering Liverpool’s heaviest home defeat since their 4-1 loss to Manchester City in 2021. Slot acknowledged the severity of the result, stating, ‘Losing 3-0 at home, no matter the opponent, is very, very bad.’ He emphasized his responsibility for the team’s recent struggles, refusing to make excuses for their poor form. The defeat dropped Liverpool to 11th in the table, eight points behind league leaders Arsenal, and raised serious questions about their title defense. Despite a summer spending spree of nearly £450 million, key signings like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz have failed to deliver. Slot remains optimistic, however, asserting that the team’s quality will eventually shine through. He pointed to Liverpool’s strong first-half performance against Forest as a sign of potential, though their inability to convert chances proved costly. ‘It’s a difficult cocktail to drink when you miss your own chances and concede every time,’ Slot remarked. As Liverpool’s season continues to unravel, the pressure mounts on Slot to turn the tide and salvage their campaign.
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US EXIM to invest $100 billion to secure critical mineral supplies, FT says
In a strategic move to bolster U.S. and allied supply chains for critical minerals, nuclear energy, and liquefied natural gas, the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) has announced a $100 billion investment initiative. This groundbreaking decision was revealed by EXIM Chair John Jovanovic in an exclusive interview with the Financial Times on Sunday. The first wave of projects under this initiative will span Egypt, Pakistan, and Europe, addressing what Jovanovic described as the West’s over-reliance on ‘unfair’ critical material supplies. ‘Without secure, stable, and functioning raw material supply chains, we cannot achieve our broader goals,’ Jovanovic emphasized. Among the initial deals is a $4 billion credit insurance guarantee for natural gas deliveries to Egypt by Hartree Partners, a New York-based commodities group, and a $1.25 billion loan for the Reko Diq mine in Pakistan, developed by Barrick Mining. The bank has $100 billion remaining from the $135 billion authorized by Congress, signaling a robust commitment to reshaping global energy and mineral supply dynamics. This initiative aligns with former U.S. President Donald Trump’s energy-dominance agenda, which prioritized increasing U.S. energy output and rolling back energy and environmental regulations. EXIM has yet to respond to requests for comment outside regular business hours.
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Sheikh Mohammed approves record Dh302.7-billion Dubai budget for 2026–2028
Dubai has set a new benchmark in fiscal planning with the approval of its largest-ever budget cycle for 2026–2028, totaling Dh302.7 billion in expenditures and Dh329.2 billion in revenues, marking a 5% operating surplus. The budget, endorsed by Dubai Ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, underscores the emirate’s commitment to economic growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare.
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Middle East recalibrates amid global uncertainty as UAE bets big on AI and tech sovereignty
As global trade faces uncertainty and energy revenues decline, the Middle East is undergoing a significant recalibration, with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) emerging as a regional leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and digital infrastructure. According to S&P Global’s latest outlook, the region is navigating a dual challenge: mitigating the impact of softer oil prices while seizing opportunities in technology and supply chain diversification. The UAE, in particular, is doubling down on its ambition to become a hub for AI innovation and tech sovereignty. The Middle East’s economic trajectory in 2026 is shaped by volatile global trade, elevated conflict risks, and unpredictable shipping costs, particularly through critical chokepoints like the Suez Canal. While post-conflict reconstruction in countries like Iran and Syria offers some resilience, oil-exporting economies are bracing for headwinds from declining crude prices. Resource nationalism is intensifying as the U.S. and China compete for control over critical minerals, prompting Gulf states to tighten regulatory frameworks and demand technology transfers. Amid these shifts, the UAE is crafting a hybrid regulatory model that blends the EU’s emphasis on data protection with the U.S.’s innovation-driven flexibility. Central to the UAE’s strategy is the development of Arabic large language models (LLMs), designed to assert cultural and technological independence in a domain dominated by English and Mandarin. The UAE’s investments in AI infrastructure, cloud services, and advanced manufacturing are expected to deliver economic diversification and resilience against commodity price swings. The global backdrop of trade tensions and technological disruption adds complexity, but the UAE’s strategic pivot toward tech sovereignty positions it to capitalize on regional supply chain shifts and AI-driven productivity gains. Financial innovation, including the adoption of stablecoins for cross-border payments, aligns with the UAE’s broader digital economy strategy. As S&P Global concludes, agility will be the defining trait of successful economies in 2026, with the UAE’s bet on tech sovereignty serving as a strategic imperative in shaping the emerging global order.
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Gulf steel industry accelerates green transition amid global supply chain shifts
The Gulf steel industry is undergoing a significant transformation, driven by decarbonization efforts, rising infrastructure demands, and the strategic integration of mining and manufacturing value chains. As global iron ore flows and pricing trends evolve, regional producers are leveraging advanced technology, renewable energy, and backward integration to establish themselves as leaders in low-carbon steel production. In 2025, global seaborne iron ore loadings reached 1.247 billion metric tonnes, remaining virtually unchanged year-on-year, with Australia and Brazil accounting for nearly 78% of the total volume. China continues to dominate as the primary importer, receiving 74% of global shipments. This concentration highlights the need for Gulf producers to diversify sourcing and secure raw materials amidst volatility caused by carbon-adjusted costs and trade measures like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). The global iron ore market is projected to grow from $290 billion in 2024 to $397 billion by 2032, reflecting a 4% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), though price fluctuations are expected to persist. Gulf steelmakers are capitalizing on competitive access to raw materials, the region’s energy cost advantages, and modern Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) technologies to produce low-carbon steel at scale. Major projects, such as Oman’s Vulcan Green Steel and Saudi Arabia’s Essar Group facility at Ras Al-Khair, exemplify this strategic shift. Producers are also recalibrating operations to meet sustainability goals without compromising competitiveness. Mineral Technologies Group (MTG) is pioneering hydrogen-fueled direct ore-to-metal routes and cost-effective solutions for processing lower-grade ores. Jindal Steel Oman is embedding sustainability into its strategy through efficiency, technology, and community engagement, with significant investments in renewable energy and hydrogen-ready steel complexes. The Gulf’s push to integrate mining and downstream metallurgical value chains is reshaping its industrial landscape, supported by policy frameworks like Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which allocates $186.5 billion for renewables. Digital transformation is further enhancing competitiveness, with predictive analytics and AI-driven maintenance improving equipment uptime by 20–25%. With $2.5 trillion in GCC infrastructure investments planned by 2030, the Gulf steel industry is poised to become a global hub for sustainable industrial production, turning the green challenge into a competitive advantage.
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Lebanon: Israel targets key Hezbollah leader in Beirut strike
In a significant escalation of tensions, an Israeli air strike targeted a high-ranking Hezbollah leader in Beirut on Sunday, marking the first such attack without prior warning since the ceasefire agreement last year. The strike occurred in the densely populated Haret Hreik area of Dahiyeh, a southern suburb of the Lebanese capital. According to the Lebanese health ministry, the attack resulted in one fatality and 21 injuries, though the identities of the victims remain undisclosed. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that the operation aimed at what he described as ‘Hezbollah’s chief of staff.’ Israeli media identified the target as Haytham Ali Tabatabai, the group’s de facto military leader and second-in-command after Secretary General Sheikh Naim Qassem. Hezbollah has yet to issue an official statement, but a source from the group acknowledged that a senior figure was targeted, without providing further details. The strike comes amid ongoing violations of the November 2024 ceasefire, which ended months of intense conflict between Israel and Hezbollah. Since the ceasefire, Israel has conducted numerous air strikes in Lebanese territory, resulting in at least 331 deaths and around 1,000 injuries, according to Lebanese authorities. While most strikes have targeted southern Lebanon, this attack in Dahiyeh is notable for its lack of prior warning. Israeli media and officials have recently hinted at a potential new offensive against Lebanon, citing concerns over Hezbollah’s efforts to rebuild its capabilities. Conflicting reports emerged regarding whether the United States was informed of the strike, with some suggesting Washington was aware of Israel’s plans but not the specifics of the operation.