The UK’s domestic intelligence agency, MI5, has issued a stark warning to British lawmakers about an escalating espionage threat from China. In a recent alert, MI5 revealed that Chinese operatives are actively using professional networking platforms like LinkedIn, recruitment agencies, and front companies to ‘recruit and cultivate’ individuals within the UK government, parliament, and other influential sectors. House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle emphasized that these efforts aim to gather sensitive information and establish long-term relationships to further China’s strategic interests. The alert specifically named two individuals, Amanda Qiu and Shirly Shen, as key figures in these espionage activities. Home Office Minister Dan Jarvis condemned the covert operations as a calculated attempt by a foreign power to interfere with the UK’s sovereign affairs, vowing that the government would not tolerate such actions. This warning follows a high-profile case in September 2023, where charges against two men accused of spying for China were dropped due to the government’s refusal to testify under oath about China’s threat to national security. MI5 Director-General Ken McCallum has consistently highlighted the persistent threat posed by Chinese state actors, including cyberespionage, technology theft, and covert interference in UK public life. The UK’s intelligence community remains on high alert as it continues to counter these sophisticated espionage efforts.
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US House expected to approve resolution to release Epstein files
The US House of Representatives is poised to pass a resolution demanding the Justice Department release the so-called ‘Epstein files,’ a collection of documents gathered during investigations into the late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. House Speaker Mike Johnson anticipates strong bipartisan support for the measure, which is scheduled for a vote on Tuesday. This development follows former President Donald Trump’s recent reversal of his stance, now urging Republican lawmakers to back the resolution. However, the release of the files remains uncertain, as the measure must also clear the Senate. Survivors of Epstein’s abuse are expected to testify on Capitol Hill in support of the resolution. On Monday evening, the advocacy group World Without Exploitation projected images of survivors onto buildings in Washington, accompanied by the message: ‘Congress, release all of the files.’ Lawmakers from both parties believe the documents could implicate influential figures in Epstein’s crimes. While some Epstein-related materials have been made public in recent years, including thousands of emails released last week by the House Oversight Committee, the full scope of the files remains undisclosed. Trump, who initially opposed the resolution, now claims he would sign it into law if approved by Congress, though he cautioned against excessive public discussion. Critics, including Representative Robert Garcia, argue that Trump has the authority to release the files immediately. Meanwhile, concerns persist that the Senate may alter the resolution, potentially delaying its passage. Attorney General Pam Bondi has also initiated federal investigations into several high-profile individuals mentioned in the released documents.
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US to sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia, Trump says ahead of crown prince’s visit
In a significant development in US-Saudi relations, President Donald Trump announced plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during a White House meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Trump praised Saudi Arabia as a ‘great ally,’ emphasizing the strengthening of bilateral ties. This meeting marks the Crown Prince’s first visit to the White House since the controversial killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018, an incident linked to Saudi agents. While a US intelligence report implicated Prince Mohammed in the operation, he has consistently denied involvement. The leaders are expected to discuss defense and civilian nuclear power agreements, building on the $142 billion arms deal signed in May 2023, described as the ‘largest defense sales agreement in history.’ However, the potential sale of F-35s has raised concerns among US defense officials and Israeli leaders. Critics fear Saudi Arabia could share sensitive stealth technology with China, while Israel worries about its military edge in the region. Additionally, Trump is expected to advocate for Saudi Arabia to join the Abraham Accords and normalize relations with Israel, though Saudi officials have linked this to progress on Palestinian statehood—a condition rejected by Israel’s current government.
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AI should be used to inject more vitality into city culture, experts say
At the 2025 World Conference on City Culture held in Shanghai’s Hongkou district from November 14 to 16, experts emphasized the transformative potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in reshaping urban cultural landscapes. Against the backdrop of AI’s rapid proliferation, they called for innovative approaches to infuse city culture with renewed vitality. The conference highlighted how AI technologies are fostering new cultural ecosystems by integrating sectors such as tourism, business, and sports, thereby creating robust consumption engines. AI is also revolutionizing the production and delivery of culture, enabling creative expressions that transcend traditional time and space constraints. Emerging models like digitalized tourism and smart technology-based industries are providing deeper, more detailed insights into city culture. Hongkou district, a focal point of these advancements, has seen significant economic growth during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25), with its GDP surpassing 150 billion yuan ($21 billion) by the end of 2024. The value of technology service providers in the district has surged ninefold since 2020, underscoring AI’s pivotal role in driving development.
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Nobel laureate delves into whether life exists elsewhere at Fudan University
The 13th Shanghai Master Forum on Science, hosted at Fudan University, featured an enthralling lecture by Nobel Prize-winning physicist Didier Queloz. The Swiss scientist, renowned for his co-discovery of the first exoplanet in 1995, took the audience on a journey through the mysteries of astrophysics and the search for life beyond Earth. Queloz, who made the groundbreaking discovery alongside his advisor Michel Mayor, emphasized that the exploration of exoplanets is not about finding an alternative home for humanity but rather about deepening our understanding of the universe. ‘Earth is our shared home, and the goal of this research is to live peacefully here,’ he stated. The forum highlighted the transformative impact of Queloz’s work on astronomy and the ongoing quest to uncover whether life exists elsewhere in the cosmos.
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‘Another feather in his cap’ as parrot named after ‘hat-trick hero’
In a heartwarming tribute to Republic of Ireland footballer Troy Parrott, Dublin Zoo has officially named a male citron-crested cockatoo after the national hero. The 23-year-old striker secured Ireland’s place in the World Cup play-offs with a stunning hat-trick and a 96th-minute winning goal against Hungary on Sunday, sparking nationwide celebrations. The previously unnamed parrot, a critically endangered species, has now been christened Troy in honor of Parrott’s historic achievement. Zookeeper Diana Farrell described the moment as ‘beautiful and joyous,’ emphasizing the zoo’s desire to celebrate ‘Ireland’s hat-trick hero.’ While fans had called for a statue, Farrell humorously noted that naming the parrot was ‘another feather in his cap.’ The newly named Troy, described as ‘chirpy, cheerful, and inquisitive,’ is one of only two citron-crested cockatoos at the zoo. He shares his enclosure with a female named Katie, after Irish footballer Katie McCabe. The zoo hopes the pair will breed as part of the European Zoo Breeding Programme to help conserve the critically endangered species. Farrell expressed optimism that the naming would attract more visitors to the zoo, raising awareness about the plight of these rare parrots. She also hopes the real Troy Parrott will visit his namesake, adding that many zookeepers are avid football fans. The tribute has already garnered significant attention, with Dublin Airport even temporarily renaming itself ‘Troy Parrott Airport’ on social media.
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Netanyahu slams ‘extremist’ Israeli settlers in West Bank
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has strongly denounced the actions of extremist settlers in the occupied West Bank, following a surge in violence that has exacerbated tensions in the region. On Monday evening, homes and vehicles in the Palestinian village of Jab’a were set ablaze, marking the latest in a series of attacks attributed to Israeli settlers. Netanyahu labeled the perpetrators as ‘a handful of extremists’ who do not represent the broader settler community and vowed to address the issue personally. He called on law enforcement to act decisively against the rioters, emphasizing the need to uphold the rule of law. The incident occurred hours after Israeli security forces clashed with members of the Hilltop Youth movement while dismantling an illegal settler outpost in the Gush Etzion area. The settlers, who oppose government policies, aim to establish unauthorized settlements by displacing Palestinian residents. The UN has reported that October 2025 was the worst month for settler violence in the West Bank since records began in 2006, with 264 attacks causing casualties or property damage. Despite international condemnation, few perpetrators have faced accountability. Israeli officials, including Foreign Minister Gideon Saar and Defense Minister Israel Katz, have condemned the violence, with Katz pledging to continue developing settlements while maintaining regional stability. The West Bank remains a flashpoint, with over 500,000 Israeli settlers living alongside three million Palestinians. The ongoing violence has claimed the lives of at least 1,006 Palestinians and 43 Israelis since the Gaza war began in October 2023.
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Further arrests after fire at asylum accommodation
In a significant development in the investigation of a fire at a building housing international protection applicants in Drogheda, County Louth, two additional men have been apprehended. The incident, which occurred on 31 October, necessitated the rescue of five individuals, including four children. Earlier, Gardaí (Irish police) had arrested and charged two men in their 20s with arson-related offenses. The latest arrests include a man in his 20s detained in Dublin on Monday and a man in his 40s taken into custody in Drogheda on Tuesday morning. Both individuals are currently held at a Garda station in County Louth. Authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information to come forward as the investigation continues.
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UN Security Council adopts US resolution on Trump’s international ‘board of peace’ in Gaza
The United Nations Security Council has adopted a US-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump’s 20-point plan to end the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The resolution, passed on Monday, authorizes the establishment of an international stabilization force and a transitional governance body known as the ‘Board of Peace.’ This body, chaired by Trump, will oversee Gaza’s reconstruction and economic recovery while ensuring demilitarization by decommissioning weapons and dismantling military infrastructure. The plan includes a ceasefire and a hostage-release deal, previously agreed upon by Israel and Hamas last month. However, the resolution has sparked controversy in Israel due to its reference to a potential future Palestinian statehood. The Palestinian Authority has expressed support for the resolution, while Hamas-led factions have opposed it, viewing it as a step toward foreign control over Gaza. Russia, a Security Council member with veto power, abstained from the vote, allowing the resolution to pass. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s opposition to a Palestinian state and vowed to demilitarize Gaza by any means necessary.
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‘Not fair’ how South Africa are treated, says coach
South Africa’s assistant coach, Mzwandile Stick, has voiced concerns over what he perceives as unfair treatment of the Springboks following a series of red-card incidents in recent matches. Speaking to reporters in Dublin ahead of South Africa’s Test against Ireland, Stick highlighted the suspensions of key players, including Lood de Jager and Franco Mostert, as evidence of biased officiating. De Jager received a four-game ban for a high tackle on France’s Thomas Ramos, while Mostert was sent off for a shoulder-to-head challenge on Italy’s Paolo Garbisi. Both incidents have sparked controversy, with Stick questioning the consistency of disciplinary decisions. ‘Every week we are losing players, and it’s sad,’ Stick lamented. He also referenced recent bans for South African players Makazole Mapimpi and Jan-Hendrik Wessels in the United Rugby Championship, suggesting a pattern of disproportionate punishment. Stick defended Mostert’s actions, arguing that the tackle was not intentionally dangerous and that the physical nature of rugby sometimes leads to imperfect outcomes. He also criticized the officiating in the match against Italy, claiming that 20 out of 21 decisions in the first half went against South Africa. Despite the controversies, Stick emphasized the Springboks’ commitment to fair play and expressed regret over the impact on Italy’s performance. The Springboks, reigning world champions, continue to face scrutiny as they navigate these challenges on the international stage.