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  • Investment scam alert in UAE: Experts warn against high ‘guaranteed returns’

    Investment scam alert in UAE: Experts warn against high ‘guaranteed returns’

    Financial security experts in the United Arab Emirates are sounding alarms over an escalating wave of sophisticated investment fraud schemes targeting residents seeking alternative income streams. These fraudulent operations are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including cloning legitimate financial institution branding and regulatory emblems to appear authentic.

    According to Muhammad Alamer, an SCA-licensed financial influencer with 17 years of market experience, the promise of ‘guaranteed returns with zero risk’ remains the most reliable indicator of fraudulent activity. “Legitimate financial markets simply do not offer such investments,” Alamer emphasized, noting that even top-performing institutional fund managers cannot consistently deliver the extravagant returns—sometimes exceeding 10-15% monthly—promised by these schemes.

    The deception extends beyond unrealistic returns. Scammers employ psychological pressure tactics using phrases like ‘limited availability’ or ‘expiring offers’ to bypass rational decision-making. Additional red flags include vague investment strategies, difficulties withdrawing funds, unsolicited contact through social media or WhatsApp, and unverifiable credentials.

    Industry analyst Ibrahim El Sheikh attributes the surge in fraudulent schemes to multiple converging factors: market volatility, rising living costs, and increased accessibility to online trading platforms. “As more residents look beyond traditional savings to grow their wealth, fraudsters are exploiting this shift with simplified, high-return narratives that appeal to inexperienced investors,” El Sheikh explained.

    Social media platforms have become particularly effective vectors for these scams. Paid promotions, sponsored content, and direct messaging enable fraudsters to reach vast audiences without face-to-face interaction. The use of professional-looking websites and influencer-style messaging further lowers suspicion among potential victims.

    UAE authorities have responded with increased vigilance. The Securities and Commodities Authority recently issued warnings against two unauthorized entities—XC Market Limited and XCE Commercial Brokers LLC—and exposed a fraudulent operation masquerading as the ‘Gulf Higher Authority for Financial Conduct’ through the website financialgcc.com.

    In November, Dubai Police’s Anti-Fraud Center alerted the public to investment offers promising fixed monthly returns up to 10% without risk, noting these often operate as pyramid schemes where new investor funds pay earlier participants before operators disappear.

    Alamer praised the UAE’s new Advertiser Permit system, which requires social media promoters to obtain licenses and disclose permit numbers publicly. However, he called for enhanced cross-platform coordination to prevent scammers simply migrating between services when banned.

    The consensus among experts is clear: verification remains the strongest defense against financial fraud. Residents are urged to independently confirm licensing status through official channels before committing funds to any investment opportunity.

  • Rwanda-back M23 rebels say they will withdraw from seized city in eastern Congo

    Rwanda-back M23 rebels say they will withdraw from seized city in eastern Congo

    DAKAR, Senegal — In a significant development within the ongoing Eastern Congo conflict, Rwanda-backed M23 rebels have declared their intention to withdraw from the strategically vital city of Uvira, which they captured last week. This announcement comes despite escalating violence that threatens to undermine a U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Congolese and Rwandan leadership.

    Corneille Nangaa, head of the Congo River Alliance that incorporates M23, characterized the planned withdrawal as a “unilateral trust-building measure” requested by American mediators to revitalize stalled peace negotiations. The rebel statement outlined specific conditions for lasting de-escalation, including complete demilitarization of Uvira, guaranteed protection for civilians and infrastructure, and implementation of neutral forces to monitor ceasefire compliance. Notably, the declaration stopped short of confirming whether rebel withdrawal would proceed without these prerequisites being met.

    Local Uvira residents reported Tuesday that M23 fighters maintained their presence in the city despite the announced withdrawal plan. The rebel offensive, launched earlier this month, has already exacted a devastating humanitarian toll with approximately 400 casualties and nearly 200,000 displaced persons according to regional authorities.

    This renewed violence directly contradicts the peace accord signed by Congolese and Rwandan presidents in Washington earlier this month under U.S. mediation. The United States recently accused Rwanda of violating this agreement by supporting the rebel offensive in mineral-rich Eastern Congo, warning of potential actions against “spoilers” of the diplomatic process.

    The conflict’s expansion has now reached the border of Burundi, prompting cross-border refugee movements and raising concerns about regional escalation. Burundi’s Foreign Ministry confirmed at least 30,000 Congolese citizens have crossed into its territory since December 8, with reports of artillery shells landing in the border town of Rugombo.

    United Nations experts estimate M23’s forces have expanded dramatically from hundreds of fighters in 2021 to approximately 6,500 combatants today. The Eastern Congo region hosts over 100 armed groups competing for control near the Rwandan border, with the resulting humanitarian crisis displacing more than 7 million people according to UN refugee agencies.

  • Defenders ‘scared’ of Nigeria’s Osimhen – Onyeka

    Defenders ‘scared’ of Nigeria’s Osimhen – Onyeka

    Nigerian midfielder Frank Onyeka has declared striker Victor Osimhen operates on an entirely different echelon of football, asserting that opposing defenders at the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) will approach matches with inherent fear. The Brentford player, speaking to BBC Sport Africa, emphasized the psychological advantage Osimhen’s formidable reputation provides even before the opening whistle.

    The Super Eagles squad arrives in Morocco burdened by the memory of their heartbreaking defeat to Ivory Coast in the 2023 final, a match both Onyeka and Osimhen started. While Osimhen managed just a single goal during that tournament, his trajectory has since skyrocketed. The 26-year-old now stands as Nigeria’s second-highest all-time scorer with 31 goals in 45 appearances, trailing only the legendary Rashidi Yekini.

    Onyeka detailed the transformative impact of Osimhen’s presence, contrasting it with Nigeria’s recent struggles in his absence. The team’s failed 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign, where they secured a mere four points from fifteen without their star striker, and their subsequent playoff loss to DR Congo—a game where Osimhen’s halftime substitution shifted momentum—underscore his indispensability. “Even one of the players from Congo said the same,” Onyeka revealed. “When Victor left it gave the defenders a bit of rest.”

    Beyond Osimhen, Onyeka shed light on his personal development and the renewed spirit under manager Eric Chelle. The Malian coach, who took charge in January, is credited with revitalizing the team’s tactics and fostering a positive, familial environment. However, Chelle faces significant defensive challenges with the retirement of captain William Troost-Ekong and a knee injury ruling out promising center-back Benjamin Frederick, whom Onyeka described as an “outstanding” defensive reader of the game.

    Personally, Onyeka discussed adopting mindfulness techniques during a loan spell at Augsburg to enhance his mental preparation. Despite a goal drought in Germany, he emerged as a crucial scorer for Nigeria, netting vital late goals in the World Cup qualifiers. While acknowledging the immense pressure from Nigeria’s passionate fanbase, Onyeka channeled the World Cup disappointment into motivation, stating the clear objective for Afcon 2025 is to “win it and bring it back home.”

  • Driver who rammed through crowd at Liverpool soccer parade sentenced to over 21 years

    Driver who rammed through crowd at Liverpool soccer parade sentenced to over 21 years

    LIVERPOOL – A 54-year-old man has been sentenced to more than 21 years in prison for a vehicular assault that left over 130 people injured during Liverpool’s Premier League championship celebrations. Paul Doyle received his sentence at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday for the May 26 incident that turned a festive parade into a scene of terror.

    Judge Andrew Menary delivered a scathing rebuke to Doyle, describing how the defendant “struck people head-on, knocked others onto the bonnet, drove over limbs, crushed prams and forced those nearby to scatter in terror” during the two-minute rampage. The attack only concluded when a courageous bystander intervened, entering the moving vehicle and forcing it into park while it rested atop injured victims.

    Prosecutor Paul Greaney revealed that Doyle’s actions stemmed from roadway frustration rather than terrorism. Dashboard camera footage presented in court showed Doyle screaming obscenities at pedestrians, blaring his horn, and shouting “move, move, move” while plowing through the crowd. The footage depicted terrified fans scrambling for safety, many being knocked aside or tossed into the air by the accelerating minivan.

    During the two-day sentencing hearing, emotional victim impact statements were read aloud, revealing the lasting trauma inflicted by Doyle’s actions. Sergeant Dan Hamilton of Merseyside Police described “sickening, dull thuds that are difficult to describe and impossible to forget,” while recounting his belief that he would die during the attack. Other victims reported losing employment, undergoing extensive rehabilitation to regain mobility, and developing severe anxiety triggered by Liverpool-associated sights and sounds.

    Defense attorney Simon Csoka acknowledged his client’s remorse and stated Doyle never intended to harm anyone, claiming the driver had panicked after the crowd began pounding on his vehicle. However, Judge Menary dismissed this explanation as “demonstrably untrue,” noting that any crowd reaction occurred in response to Doyle’s initial aggression.

    The court learned that Doyle had previous criminal convictions from his twenties, including an incident where he bit off a sailor’s ear during a drunken fight. Despite subsequently rebuilding his life with a university education, successful IT career, and family, Doyle’s actions on May 26 have resulted in one of the most significant vehicular assault sentences in recent British legal history.

  • Sudan’s RSF trying to cover up mass killings in el-Fasher, researchers say

    Sudan’s RSF trying to cover up mass killings in el-Fasher, researchers say

    A groundbreaking investigation by Yale University’s Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has exposed the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces’ (RSF) systematic campaign to conceal evidence of mass atrocities in the captured city of el-Fasher. Satellite imagery analysis reveals the RSF has been disposing of tens of thousands of bodies through coordinated burial and burning operations following their October seizure of the strategic Darfur stronghold.

    The RSF’s capture of el-Fasher after an 18-month siege marked a pivotal military victory, driving Sudan’s regular army from its final foothold in the vast western region. However, this triumph came amid widespread reports of executions and crimes against humanity that drew international condemnation. The HRL report details how the paramilitary group ‘engaged in a systematic multi-week campaign to destroy evidence of its widespread mass killings,’ with satellite evidence showing continuing patterns of body disposal and destruction.

    The conflict between the RSF and Sudan’s regular army, erupting in April 2023 from a power struggle, has created what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian disaster. Satellite evidence from November indicates severely limited civilian activity in el-Fasher since its capture, while imagery analysis identifies over 80 body clusters outside city limits—evidence that the RSF targeted civilians attempting to flee.

    Despite RSF leader Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo announcing an investigation into alleged violations by his forces, the group continues to deny widespread allegations of ethnically motivated killings targeting non-Arab populations. Humanitarian agencies report alarmingly low numbers of successfully evacuated civilians, with approximately 250,000 people believed trapped in the city and fewer than half reaching displacement camps.

    The RSF has utilized its el-Fasher victory to consolidate power in western Sudan, establishing a parallel government in Darfur’s city of Nyala while the regular army maintains control over most of the country. The ongoing conflict has displaced over 13 million people since April 2023, creating one of the most severe humanitarian crises of modern times.

  • Ukraine struggling to keep lights on under Russian attack, says energy boss

    Ukraine struggling to keep lights on under Russian attack, says energy boss

    Ukraine’s energy infrastructure faces a state of perpetual crisis as systematic Russian attacks cripple the national power grid, leaving millions in darkness during freezing winter conditions. DTEK, the country’s largest energy provider serving 5.6 million Ukrainians, struggles to maintain basic electricity delivery amid relentless assaults that target critical energy facilities with drones, cruise missiles, and ballistic weapons.

    The situation has become so severe that nationwide electricity rationing has been implemented, with most households receiving only a few hours of power daily. The southern city of Odesa experienced a three-day complete blackout this week following coordinated Russian strikes, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis as temperatures continue to drop.

    President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Dutch parliament, emphasizing that Russia has weaponized winter cold as a dangerous tactical advantage. ‘Every night Ukrainian parents hold their children in basements and shelters hoping our air defense will hold,’ he stated, highlighting the dire circumstances facing civilians.

    The energy crisis has spawned remarkable community resilience. In Odesa, resident Yana, who maintains limited power, has opened her home to neighbors needing to charge phones and access washing facilities. Across Ukraine, the constant hum of generators has become more prevalent than air raid sirens, with citizens relying on power banks as essential survival tools.

    Kyiv resident Tetiana describes the new daily routine: ‘The first thing I do in the morning is check my phone to find out the daily schedule for when my power will be switched on.’ Like many Ukrainians, she has invested in multiple power banks that must be constantly charged during brief electricity windows.

    Approximately 50% of Ukraine’s energy comes from three nuclear facilities in central and western regions, but the transmission network has sustained catastrophic damage. DTEK, operating about ten primarily coal-fired power stations, reports that some facilities are attacked every three to four days. CEO Maxim Timchenko acknowledges, ‘I don’t remember a single day when I had no reports about some damage to our grid.’

    The company faces monumental challenges in sourcing replacement parts, now requiring European-wide searches for equipment previously available domestically. Repair costs have skyrocketed to $166 million this year alone for damaged thermal plants and coal facilities. Despite these obstacles, Timchenko remains resolute: ‘We will not give up. We have a responsibility to millions of mothers to have power and heat.’

    The human cost continues to mount, with eight DTEK engineers killed while attempting to maintain power in the fiercely contested Donbas region, where employees ‘risk their lives daily’ to provide essential services.

  • Negotiations over US-UK tech deal stall

    Negotiations over US-UK tech deal stall

    The landmark Technology Prosperity Deal between the United States and United Kingdom has encountered significant obstacles, with negotiations stalling due to unresolved issues in broader trade discussions between the two nations. Initially hailed as “historic” during its announcement in September, the agreement promised enhanced cooperation in artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and advanced nuclear energy technologies.

    The current impasse stems primarily from American concerns regarding perceived trade barriers within the UK market. According to sources familiar with the negotiations, disagreements extend to digital regulation frameworks and food safety standards, creating complications for the technology-specific arrangement.

    A UK government spokesperson maintained that “our special relationship with the US remains strong,” emphasizing Britain’s commitment to ensuring the deal delivers opportunities for citizens in both countries. The government declined to comment on specific claims regarding negotiation difficulties.

    The Technology Prosperity Deal was formally documented through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that outlined ambitious collaboration goals but specified that any proposals were non-binding. The MOU explicitly stated that implementation would only proceed alongside substantive progress in formalizing the wider US-UK Economic Prosperity Deal signed in May.

    Industry analysts note that the current stalemate reflects a broader pattern in US-UK trade relations. Allie Renison, director of SEC Newgate UK and former government trade adviser, characterized the approach as “slightly piecemeal,” with different negotiation areas affecting unrelated sectors.

    Despite the diplomatic hurdles, the approximately £31 billion in planned investments from tech giants including Microsoft, Nvidia, and Google are believed to remain unaffected. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang previously expressed confidence in Britain’s potential to become an “AI superpower,” with pledged investments intended to scale up AI infrastructure including data centers across the UK.

    Observers suggest the negotiation challenges likely represent strategic positioning within broader trade discussions rather than a fundamental threat to technological cooperation between the two nations.

  • China launches new satellite

    China launches new satellite

    China has successfully deployed its latest Earth observation satellite, marking another milestone in the nation’s ambitious space program. The Ziyuan III 04 spacecraft ascended into orbit aboard a Long March 4B rocket at precisely 11:17 am Beijing Time on December 16, 2025, from the Taiyuan Satellite Launch Center in Shanxi Province.

    This launch represents the 617th mission in the storied history of China’s Long March rocket series, demonstrating the program’s remarkable consistency and technical maturity. The Ziyuan (which translates to ‘Resources’) satellite family specializes in high-resolution terrestrial imaging with applications spanning environmental monitoring, urban planning, agricultural assessment, and disaster mitigation.

    The Taiyuan facility, situated in northern China’s mountainous region, has established itself as a premier launch site for polar-orbiting satellites. The successful deployment continues China’s pattern of regular space missions that support both scientific research and practical Earth observation needs. Space technology experts note that the Ziyuan series contributes significantly to global environmental monitoring efforts while advancing China’s capabilities in remote sensing technology.

    This achievement occurs within the broader context of China’s expanding space infrastructure, which includes navigation satellites, communication networks, and crewed space stations. The continuous development of space assets reflects China’s strategic commitment to technological sovereignty and its growing role in space exploration and Earth sciences.

  • China’s railway passenger trips hit new record in first 11 months

    China’s railway passenger trips hit new record in first 11 months

    China’s national railway system has achieved unprecedented passenger traffic volumes during the initial eleven months of 2025, establishing a new milestone in the country’s transportation history. According to official data released by China State Railway Group Co Ltd on December 16, 2025, the railway network accommodated approximately 4.28 billion passenger journeys between January and November, representing a substantial 6.6 percent increase compared to the equivalent period in the previous year.

    This remarkable growth demonstrates the continuing expansion and modernization of China’s railway infrastructure, which has undergone significant development in recent years. The record-breaking numbers coincide with the nation’s ongoing economic recovery and increased domestic mobility patterns following previous periods of travel restrictions.

    Transportation analysts highlight that this surge in railway usage reflects both the improved connectivity between urban and rural regions and the public’s growing preference for rail travel due to its efficiency, affordability, and environmental benefits compared to other transportation modes. The data emerges as China continues to invest heavily in its high-speed rail network, which remains the most extensive in the world.

    The railway operator’s report indicates consistent monthly growth throughout the monitoring period, with particular spikes during traditional holiday seasons and summer vacation months. This performance underscores the critical role that rail transportation plays in China’s domestic travel ecosystem and economic infrastructure.

  • PSG ordered to pay Mbappe €60m

    PSG ordered to pay Mbappe €60m

    In a landmark legal ruling with significant implications for European football, Paris Saint-Germain has been mandated by a French labor court to compensate former star striker Kylian Mbappé with €60 million (£52.5 million) in unpaid salary and contractual bonuses. The decision concludes a highly publicized financial dispute between the French champions and their former captain, though it represents merely a fraction of the original €263 million (£231.5 million) claim pursued by the player.

    The legal confrontation, which reached the Paris labor tribunal in November, saw both parties leveling substantial financial claims against each other. Mbappé’s legal team argued that the club had failed to fulfill its contractual obligations, specifically citing three months of unpaid wages between April and June 2024, along with unpaid ethics and signing bonuses. The 26-year-old Real Madrid forward additionally sought damages for alleged ill-treatment during contract negotiations.

    Conversely, PSG mounted a counterclaim seeking €240 million (£211 million) in compensation, primarily referencing Mbappé’s failed €300 million transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal in 2023. The collapse of this potentially record-breaking transfer preceded Mbappé’s subsequent move to Spanish giants Real Madrid on a free transfer the following summer, a development that evidently fueled the club’s financial grievances.

    While the court acknowledged PSG’s failure to meet certain salary payments, it dismissed the majority of both the player’s damage claims and the club’s counterclaim. Mbappé’s legal representative, Frédérique Cassereau, expressed satisfaction with the verdict, stating, ‘We are satisfied with this ruling. This is what you could expect when salaries went unpaid.’

    The ruling underscores the complex financial and contractual dynamics governing top-tier football transfers and highlights the increasing willingness of players to pursue legal avenues against powerful clubs. This case sets a notable precedent for labor disputes within professional sports organizations across Europe.