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Around 63 seats in the Maharashtra assembly polls were won by a margin of 10,000 or less, with 33 seats having been won by 5,000 or less votes. The opposition tally could have been more disastrous as the numbers show. An analysis of the results show that the 'Ladki Bahin' scheme, the reverse caste polarisation due to the MVA overplaying the Maratha card and the work done by the Sangh led to increased voting for the Mahayuti. The BJP has 17 candidates who won by a margin of 10,000 votes and less. Of these, 10 won by a margin of 5,000 votes and less. In these seats, the BJP benefited due to the votes being divided between the opposition parties. The BJP has also lost several seats by very small margins. For instance, it lost the Karjat Jamkhed seat to NCP(SP)'s Rohit Pawar by just 1,243 votes. In Versova, its candidate Bharti Lavekar lost by 1,600 votes to the Sena (UBT) candidate. For Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray, the elections would come as a wakeup call. Even though his party got 20 seats, 10 of them have come with a winning margin of less than 10,000 votes, which includes the victory margin of Aaditya Thackeray from Worli. Three of the 10 candidates of NCP (SP) won with a margin of around 5,000 votes and less. Office Productivity Mastering Microsoft Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and 365 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Advanced Java Mastery: Object-Oriented Programming Techniques By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Web Development Intermediate C++ Skills: Master Pointers, Structures and File Stream By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Zero to Hero in Microsoft Excel: Complete Excel guide 2024 By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Finance Startup Fundraising: Essential Tactics for Securing Capital By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance AI and Generative AI for Finance By - Hariom Tatsat, Vice President- Quantitative Analytics at Barclays View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Neil Patel By - Neil Patel, Co-Founder and Author at Neil Patel Digital Digital Marketing Guru View Program Web Development Intermediate Java Mastery: Method, Collections, and Beyond By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Java Programming with ChatGPT: Learn using Generative AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Performance Marketing for eCommerce Brands By - Zafer Mukeri, Founder- Inara Marketers View Program Strategy Succession Planning Masterclass By - Nigel Penny, Global Strategy Advisor: NSP Strategy Facilitation Ltd. View Program Office Productivity Advanced Excel Course - Financial Calculations & Excel Made Easy By - Anirudh Saraf, Founder- Saraf A & Associates, Chartered Accountant View Program Data Science SQL for Data Science along with Data Analytics and Data Visualization By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Marketing Digital Marketing Masterclass by Pam Moore By - Pam Moore, Digital Transformation and Social Media Expert View Program Leadership Business Storytelling Masterclass By - Ameen Haque, Founder of Storywallahs View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Master in Python Language Quickly Using the ChatGPT Open AI By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Leadership Validating Your Startup Idea: Steps to Ensure Market Fit By - Dr. Anu Khanchandani, Startup Coach with more than 25 years of experience View Program Finance Financial Literacy i.e Lets Crack the Billionaire Code By - CA Rahul Gupta, CA with 10+ years of experience and Accounting Educator View Program Office Productivity Excel Essentials to Expert: Your Complete Guide By - Study At Home, Quality Education Anytime, Anywhere View Program Web Development JavaScript Essentials: Unlock AI-Driven Insights with ChatGPT By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program Office Productivity Microsoft Word Mastery: From Beginner to Expert By - CA Raj K Agrawal, Chartered Accountant View Program Artificial Intelligence(AI) Mastering C++ Fundamentals with Generative AI: A Hands-On By - Metla Sudha Sekhar, IT Specialist and Developer View Program (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel )CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) — Derrin Boyd had 22 points in Charleston's 79-64 victory over Northern Kentucky on Wednesday. Boyd also added six rebounds for the Cougars (5-2). AJ Smith scored 12 points and added five rebounds and three steals. Justas Stonkus finished 4 of 4 from the field to finish with 12 points. The Norse (1-5) were led in scoring by Sam Vinson, who finished with 21 points, six rebounds and two steals. Trey Robinson added 12 points, 12 rebounds and five steals for Northern Kentucky. Dan Gherezgher Jr. also had 11 points. Boyd led his team in scoring with 12 points in the first half to help put them up 38-30 at the break. Charleston pulled away with a 7-0 run in the second half to extend a six-point lead to 13 points. Boyd led the way with a team-high 10 second-half points. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .
Who are the Border Patrol chaplains? And why does the agency need more of them now?
PERSONAL FINANCE | TRAVEL In April, the Department of Transportation announced new airline rules requiring prompt automatic cash refunds to passengers when owed. The final rule took effect Oct. 28 and should simplify and speed up the process of receiving your money back due to a canceled or significantly changed flight or delayed luggage. "Passengers deserve to get their money back when an airline owes them — without headaches or haggling," said Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. "Our new rule sets a new standard to require airlines to promptly provide cash refunds to their passengers." According to the Department of Transportation, under the old rules, airlines were permitted to set their own standards for what kind of flight changes warranted a refund, which made receiving a refund for a canceled or delayed flight a complicated affair. This was seen during the global technology outage in July that disrupted several major airlines and caused thousands of flight cancellations and delays. Many customers were left to wait hours in customer-service lines to start the reimbursement process for their chosen airline. The new rule clearly defines the circumstances in which airlines must provide refunds and how they should be administered, making the reimbursement process much easier if your trip goes awry. According to the Department of Transportation, this is when customers are entitled to a refund: Canceled or significantly changed flights If your flight is canceled or significantly changed and you do not accept alternative transportation or travel credits off ered, you will be refunded. According to the Department of Transportation, significant changes to a flight include departure or arrival times that are more than three hours domestically and six hours internationally; departures or arrivals from a different airport; increases in the number of connections; instances where passengers are downgraded to a lower class of service; or connections at diff erent airports or flights on diff erent planes that are less accessible or accommodating to a person with a disability. Significantly delayed baggage return If you file a mishandled-baggage report, you will be entitled to a refund of your checked-bag fee if your luggage is not delivered within 12 hours of your domestic flight arriving at the gate or 15 to 30 hours of your international flight arriving at the gate. Extra services not provided If you pay for an additional service, like in-flight Wi-Fi or a specific seat selection, and you don't receive this accommodation, you are entitled to a refund. The Department of Transportation has also outlined several rules for how refunds will be processed: ■ Automatic: Airlines must automatically issue refunds. Customers will no longer have to explicitly request a refund — which can be a complicated aff air. ■ Prompt: Refunds must be issued within seven business days of refunds becoming due for credit-card purchases and 20 calendar days for other payment methods. ■ Cash or original form of payment: Airlines must provide refunds in cash or whatever original payment method the individual used to make the purchase. ■ Total amount: Airlines and ticket agents must provide full refunds of the ticket purchase price minus the value of any portion of transportation already used. This includes all taxes and fees. Get local news delivered to your inbox!
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — Zavian McLean scored 18 points to lead FGCU and Michael Duax secured the victory with a free throw with 21 seconds left as the Eagles defeated Florida International 60-59 on Sunday. McLean shot 7 for 12, including 2 for 5 from beyond the arc for the Eagles (2-5). Rahmir Barno scored 11 points and added five assists and three steals. Jevin Muniz shot 2 of 7 from the field and 5 for 5 from the line to finish with nine points. Jayden Brewer finished with 18 points and eight rebounds for the Panthers (2-5). Jonathan Aybar added 12 points for Florida International. Dashon Gittens also had seven points and eight rebounds. McLean scored 14 points in the first half and FGCU went into the break trailing 30-29. Barno scored a team-high nine points for FGCU in the second half. FGCU outscored Florida International by two points over the final half. The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar .‘Tis the season to pick the perfect gift. And with less than two weeks until the holidays, Page Six’s expert editors are making their lists and checking them twice. In addition to asking stars what they’re gifting , we’ve broken down all of our own go-to present picks for 2024 below — from the “perfect” fragrance to some of the best jewelry we’ve tried all year. Parachute Percale Sheet Set “These are the best sheets, period. Cool to the touch and soft yet crisp. I’m asking for a second set this Christmas because I keep re-making my bed with the sheets I already own right after washing them.” — Melissa Minton, Page Six Style Senior Writer/Editor Jenny Bird Tome Hoops “Jenny Bird’s jewelry is my biggest hack for instantly elevating an outfit. Even jeans and a T-shirt look infinitely more polished when paired with these expensive-looking earrings, making them an incredible gift. After all, who can’t use another pair of hoops?” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Commerce Writer Mar Soreli Ginger Mary Jane Flats “Slippers always make stellar holiday gifts, but why not go a step further (pun intended) by giving a pair they can wear out of the house, too? I fell in love with friulane — the traditional velvet slippers worn by gondoliers in Venice — when I visited Italy last year, and these Mary Janes are a beautiful twist on the classic style. They’re also incredibly comfortable and feel festive enough for any holiday party.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Phlur Missing Person Eau de Parfum “I’ve tried almost every Phlur fragrance and have a steady rotation of over three that I can’t get enough of. My favorite is the beloved Missing Person; it’s perfectly subtle yet addicting and plays well when layered with other scents. If you can get your hands on it, it’d make the perfect gift for anyone.” — Melissa Minton, Page Six Style Senior Writer/Editor Minted Hand-Painted Custom Ornament “This hand-painted home ornament is perfect for people like my parents who are transitioning from our childhood home to life in retirement. It’s also so beautiful that it won’t clunk up the tree like an actual chunky home ornament.” — Caroline Blair, Page Six Reality TV Reporter Snif Old Saint Wick Candle “This candle makes such a great gift. It smells amazing, and it’s so aesthetically pleasing that it can fit in with anyone’s home decor. We also use this candle all season long (not just for the holidays) as it’s the perfect winter scent.” — Tori Schneebaum, Page Six Photo Director Ugg Tasman Slippers “I got a pair of cozy Ugg slippers a few months ago and have worn them nonstop since. They’re the perfect present for the homebody on your list.” — Kelsey Stewart, Page Six Style Writer Pat McGrath Labs Mini MatteTrance Lipstick Trio “Beauty sets are some of my favorite gifts to give, and nobody makes better lipsticks than Pat McGrath. This trio of minis includes the perfect red Elson, the coral rose Beautiful Stranger and the peach sienna Fever Dream — a fab present for anyone who appreciates a statement lip.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Shani Darden Skincare Cleansing Serum “Shani Darden is one of the most celeb-loved aestheticians out there — and while you might not be able to treat your loved ones to an appointment, her products make great gifts. My mom’s a fan of her whole regimen, including this serum-like cleanser that emulsifies on the skin, adding a little luxury to her nighttime routine. I’m planning to slip a refill in her stocking, along with the brand’s Jennifer Aniston-loved Retinol Reform .” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Commerce Writer Vrai Baguette Cluster Studs “If you’re in the market for something small and sparkly this season, Vrai makes some of my favorite lab-grown diamond designs on the market. How cool are these baguette-cut studs?!” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Alo Yoga Make Waves Hoodie “Not all hoodies are created equal — and this fleecy French terry-lined design is by far the coziest I own. It single-handedly gotten me through plenty of winter WFH days, and it’ll definitely be on heavy rotation all season long. The perfect gift for anyone who loves to stay cozy. (One note: I’d recommend sizing down if you’re in between sizes, as it’s meant to fit oversized).” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Commerce Writer Louis Vuitton Pre-Loved Vavin Chain Wallet “Come holiday time, my husband knows the way to my heart: fine jewelry and beautiful bags. I’m obsessed with the trunk-inspired clasp and detailing on this Vuitton design, which can be carried as either a clutch or a crossbody. Hint, hint!” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Monos Compressible Packing Cubes “Holiday break is coming up and the Monos packing cubes are a must have for all holiday travel. These packing cubes saved my life during our Euro trip and they are the perfect practical gift for the jet-setter in your life. They come in a variety of different colors so you can match the cubes to their luggage set!” — Tori Schneebaum, Page Six Photo Director Jenny Bird U-Link Earrings “My sister-in-law has an unfortunate habit of misplacing earrings, so I try to replenish her stash when special occasions roll around. I’m currently eyeing these Jenny Bird beauties for her; they’re the perfect blend of classic and modern, and right in line with her personal style. Crucially, they also open and close with a hinge, which means no earring backs to lose!” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Aesop Reverence Aromatique Hand Wash “This Aesop hand wash is to die for and so divine. I never feel like splurging on it for myself, so I’m asking for it for the holidays! It also makes a fabulous stocking stuffer, because who doesn’t love some great soap?” — Caroline Blair, Page Six Reality TV Reporter Fossil Plated Stainless Steel Ring “This chain-link style is one of my new everyday go-tos (and as someone who wears at least three rings every day, that’s saying something). Bonus: It’s stretchy, so you’ll have a little bit of leeway if you don’t get your giftee’s ring size exactly right.” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Commerce Writer Adoore Alba Blazer “I have this blazer in black, and when I tell you I live in it all fall and winter, I’m not exaggerating! When I saw Adoore came out with it in another color, it was an immediate add to my Christmas list.” — Kristin McNamara, VP of Influencer Marketing & Franchise Growth Banana Republic Baroque Pearl Pendant Necklace “I have plenty of fun jewelry and basic pieces, but I want to spice up my everyday accessories. Pearls never go out of style, and the chain is a perfect length for me.” — Caroline Blair, Page Six Reality TV Reporter Dairy Boy The Barn Jacket “Barn jackets are having a major moment right now, and this cute cropped version’s one of my favorites. As a born-and-raised New Englander, I love Paige Lorenze’s Vermont-inspired designs . While the brown color I have is currently sold out, it’s still in stock (for now) in pale pink with the same cute zippered pocket and embossed back.” — Hannah Southwick, Page Six Commerce Writer Vince Feather-Appliquéd Italian Cable-Knit Sweater “I’ve been obsessing over this Vince cable-knit sweater with feather appliques. It’s perfect for a holiday gathering or winter weekend getaway.” — Kristin McNamara, VP of Influencer Marketing & Franchise Growth Alo Runner “These are seriously the best, most comfortable shoes I have ever worn. I’m not even a runner but I have been living in these sneakers for long walks, errands, etc. If someone in your life needs new sneaks, look no further than these. Plus, they are high quality and at a great price point!” — Brooke Matalon, Page Six Social Media Marketing Manager Fancy Feast x Jenny Lyons Set for Delight Collection “I couldn’t possibly leave my fur baby, Liz Lemon, out of my gifting picks! Fellow cat lady Jenna Lyons’ collaboration with Fancy Feast is as, well, fancy as you’d expect, with eight plates — four for felines, four for humans — featuring whimsical illustrations by the fashion icon herself. Just the thing for a holiday dinner pawty!” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director SaySo Cocktail Tea Bags “The perfect stocking stuffers! For the person who loves a good cocktail, these are super cute cocktail mixers in a tea bag. They are shockingly flavorful, easy to make and low-cal.” — Brooke Matalon, Page Six Social Media Marketing Manager Scotch & Soda Wool Blend Peacoat “I typically gift my husband clothing of some sort for every major occasion — mostly because he hates shopping for himself, but also because I have a ton of fun styling him! He’s been wearing the same old peacoat for close to a decade and could really use an upgrade, and this coffee-colored number might be just the ticket.” — Elana Fishman, Page Six Style & Shopping Director Vitamin A Terra Triangle Top “Bathing suits are one of my favorite articles of clothing — and since my family travels to warm weather every year during Christmas, I often like to gift swim! It’s something my entire family needs around that time of the year, and the trip always sneaks on us. I’ll be gifting my sister this Vitamin A triangle bikini because the print is super chic and fun — plus Vitamin A’s quality is completely unmatched!” — Kelly Laske, Page Six Senior Social Media Editor Vince Herringbone Wool-Blend Cardigan Jacket “Who doesn’t love a good, high-quality sweater? Vince is the brand for a cozy, luxurious sweater that can be dressed up or down. This wool cardigan is perfect for a day in the office or over a slip dress during a night out. I should be buying this for someone else but I may have to get it for myself!” — Kelly Laske, Page Six Senior Social Media Editor The Well Gift Card “There is nothing better than treating someone you love to a day of wellness! From cold plunges and infrared saunas to massages and facials, my favorite place that has it all is The Well. It has quickly become a staple in my ‘treat yourself’ routine and it’s the best way to combat the winter blues.” — Tori Schneebaum, Page Six Photo Director Roller Rabbit Jemina Toiletry Case “I have to replace my makeup bags pretty often because of how damaged they get from travel and makeup going in and out. I am obsessed with this one from Roller Rabbit because it has a water-resistant lining that’ll be be much easier to clean and keep nice over time. And to top it off, it’s the cutest pattern that’s the perfect vibe for a sunny travel destination! Who doesn’t love a fresh makeup bag? This is the perfect gift for anyone or a good item to treat yourself to.” — Kelly Laske, Page Six Senior Social Media Editor Why Trust Page Six Style Shopping This article was written by Hannah Southwick , Commerce Writer/Reporter for Page Six Style. Hannah spies deals on actually affordable celebrity-worn styles , puts Hollywood’s favorite labels to the test and finds the beauty products that keep stars red carpet-ready. She consults stylists and industry pros — including celebs themselves — for firsthand product recommendations, trend predictions and more. In addition to writing for Page Six since 2020, her work has been featured in USA Today and Parade.
OCDSB trustees censure colleague, rejecting integrity commissioner's findings“The air traffic control tower, the departure lounge — just a few metres from where we were — and the runway were damaged,” Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on the social media platform X. He added that he and UN colleagues were safe. “We will need to wait for the damage to the airport to be repaired before we can leave,” he said. UN spokesperson Stephanie Tremblay later said the injured person was with the UN Humanitarian Air Service. Our mission to negotiate the release of @UN staff detainees and to assess the health and humanitarian situation in #Yemen concluded today. We continue to call for the detainees' immediate release. As we were about to board our flight from Sana’a, about two hours ago, the airport... pic.twitter.com/riZayWHkvf — Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (@DrTedros) December 26, 2024 Israel’s army later told The Associated Press it was not aware that the WHO chief was at the location in Yemen. The Israeli strikes followed several days of Houthi launches setting off sirens in Israel. The Israeli military in a statement said it attacked infrastructure used by the Iran-backed Houthis at the international airport in Sanaa and ports in Hodeida, Al-Salif and Ras Qantib, along with power stations, asserting they were used to smuggle in Iranian weapons and for the entry of senior Iranian officials. Israel’s military added it had “capabilities to strike very far from Israel’s territory — precisely, powerfully, and repetitively”. The strikes, carried out over 1,000 miles from Jerusalem, came a day after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “the Houthis, too, will learn what Hamas and Hezbollah and Assad’s regime and others learned” as his military has battled those more powerful proxies of Iran. The Houthi-controlled satellite channel al-Masirah reported multiple deaths and showed broken windows, collapsed ceilings and a bloodstained floor and vehicle. Iran’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes. The US military has also targeted the Houthis in recent days. The UN has said the targeted ports are important entry points for humanitarian aid for Yemen, the poorest Arab nation that plunged into a civil war in 2014. Over the weekend, 16 people were wounded when a Houthi missile hit a playground in the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, while other missiles and drones have been shot down. Last week, Israeli jets struck Sanaa and Hodeida, killing nine people, calling it a response to previous Houthi attacks. The Houthis also have been targeting shipping on the Red Sea corridor in what it says is an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The UN Security Council has an emergency meeting on Monday in response to an Israeli request that it condemn the Houthi attacks and Iran for supplying them with weapons.
Are you wondering what it means to be wealthy in Thailand and if it's possible to move there? Thailand welcomes Americans at various life stages; it's open to retirees on one of several visas and offers a working visa for Digital Nomads. Here's how to move there and how much you'd need to be considered wealthy in Thailand. Thailand was one of the most visited countries in Asia in 2024, and tourism contributed to around 20% of the economy. But the country is more than beautiful beaches, Tuk-Tuks, floating markets, and full-moon parties. It's also home to a tropical climate, astonishing culture, stunning temples, golden Buddhas, and delicious cuisine. It's even home to the world's smallest mammal, the 3-cm-long Kitti's hog-nosed bat. The Cost of Living in Thailand Versus The U.S. The cost of living in Thailand is vastly different than in the U.S., where overall, living costs are roughly 55% less than in the U.S. The average cost of living for a family of four is around $2,320, not including rent (about 80,000 Baht), and about $650 for a single person (about 22,000 Baht). In comparison, the average cost in the U.S. for a family of four is $4,000, not including rent, while a single person might spend $1,166 monthly. If you use France as a metric to compare both places, the average cost of living across the U.S. is 7% higher than if you were living in France , while in Bangkok, the cost of living is 45.3% less than in Paris, excluding rent—and rent in Bangkok is 60% less than in the City of Lights. As an idea, you can live the high life in Bangkok for about $3,000, whereas for the same standard of living in New York, you would need around $9,000 per month. Is Thailand Wealthy? According to the World Bank, Thailand has made remarkable economic progress over the past 40 years—it is rated an upper middle-income country, sustaining robust growth and has achieved considerable reduction in poverty for its 69 million inhabitants. Social security has steadily expanded, offering free healthcare, and more children have been getting more years of education. It has the second-strongest Asian economy after Indonesia. However, there is massive income inequality, predominantly between rural and urban areas—79% of those in poverty live in the countryside. The wealthiest 1% of the Thai population control 67% of the country's wealth, while the bottom 50% own just 1.7%. What Is Considered Wealthy In Thailand? The average worker in Thailand earns about $433 per month . However, this is likely higher in its capital, Bangkok, and considerably lower, possibly below the poverty line in agricultural jobs where 11% of households earn just $81 per month. In 2021, Thailand had about 125,400 millionaires and 1,300 multi-millionaires. In 2023, almost 900 ultra-high-net-worth individuals in the country had an estimated $30 million or more in wealth. You would be among Thailand's top 1% of earners if you earned between $7000 and $11,000 monthly, mostly in real estate, finance, banking, manufacturing, and tourism. Forbes list of Thailand's 50 Richest people in 2024 starts at $550M for Chansamorn Wattanavekin & family. Still, Chalerm Yoovidhya & family tops the list with a wealth of $36B gained from a stake in Red Bull energy drinks. How to Move to Thailand To Retire Anyone over 50 can apply for one of two visas that allow entry into the country under different conditions. A non-immigrant O-A visa allows a one-year stay with a possible one-year extension, but if you leave the country during this time, you would need to apply for a re-entry visa. This O-A visa requires a minimum of $23,296 in a Thai-based bank account at least two months in advance. Alternatively, you can prove you have a monthly income of approximately $2,000. A non-immigrant O-X visa allows for a five-year stay, with a possible five-year extension, and the holder can leave and re-enter the country without further paperwork or visas. This O-X visa requires $52,432 in a bank account and an annual income of $34,955. Both visa types require that the holder reports to immigration every 90 days and that they have health insurance, particularly against COVID-19. Essentially, holders of both visas are not allowed to work during their stay in the country. How To Move To Thailand On A Digital Nomad Visa Better known as the Destination Thailand visa , this allows workers to stay for five years in the form of Digital Nomads (as opposed to people who work for Thai-based companies). It lasts five years, but you must leave the country and re-enter every 6 months. You can only extend this visa for 6 months more after it expires. In order to be eligible, you must have at least $14,350 in the bank, and the visa costs a couple of hundred dollars. You will only pay taxes if you stay longer than 180 days at a time. If a Thai company employs you, you would be automatically covered under the Thai healthcare system; otherwise, you would need to prove that you have healthcare coverage of up to $100,000. In the U.S., Thailand is the 15th most-searched-for destination for moving, traveling, or exploring. If you want to consider the idea further and how you might live a wealthy life in Thailand, there are many tools to help longer-term travelers relocate, such as whichcountrytomoveto.com?, which takes you through several questions to find the ideal country to move to for your personal situation and requirements. MORE FROM FORBES
The sky was falling for the Dallas Cowboys entering Week 11. They were 3-7, tied for their worst 10-game start since 2020, and in the midst of a five-game losing streak. A matchup against the Washington Commanders , Offensive Rookie of the Year betting favorite Jayden Daniels , and their top-five scoring offense (28 points per game) appeared to spell doom and a sixth consecutive loss for Dallas. However, the Cowboys refused to stop fighting for head coach Mike McCarthy and his staff, and they battled hard enough to steal a 34-26 road win in Week 12. Dallas took home the largest upset victory of the 2024 season thus far, emerging victorious as 10.5-point road underdogs thanks to becoming the first team NFL history with two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter of a game, per CBS Sports Research. The Commanders nearly sent this game to overtime, however. Trailing 27-20 and out of timeouts on their own 14-yard line, Daniels pulled a rabbit out of the hat and hit No. 1 target Terry McLaurin down the right sideline. Dallas' defense took some poor tackling angles, which allowed McLaurin to zig zag through the Cowboys secondary and into the end zone for an 86-yard touchdown. However, Commanders kicker Austin Seibert , who made all 22 of his extra points entering Week 12, missed his second of the day. COMMANDERS 86-YARD TOUCHDOWN WOW 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX 📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/apaNEKNCkh That forced Washington to attempt an onside kick to get the football back since they were out of timeouts and only 21 seconds remained on the scoreboard. Cowboys defensive back and No. 2 kick returner Juanyeh Thomas scooped up the onside kick on one hop and housed it for a 43-yard touchdown to truly seal the game. ONSIDE KICK RETURN FOR A TD WHY NOT?! 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX 📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/DIXs64vWvP Dallas Pro Bowl kick returner KaVontae Turpin , who entered the week leading the league in yards per kick return return (34.3), didn't get many chances tor return a kick or punt Sunday. That was until the Commanders opted to kick the football short against Turpin following a four-yard touchdown pass from Daniels to veteran tight end Zach Ertz . Daniels capped Washington's nine-play scoring drive by waltzing in for a two-point conversion to trim the Cowboys' lead to just three points, 20-17, with 3:02 left to play. That's when Turpin turned on the jets and made the ensuing kickoff Turpin time, taking it back 99 yards for a touchdown after bobbling the football initially. The play was reminiscent of a game-winning, 65-yard punt return touchdown by Eagles wide receiver DeSean Jackson to beat the New York Giants in Week 15 of the 2010 season. This play appeared to win the game for the Cowboys before all the aforementioned drama ensued. Dallas is now the first team with two kickoff return touchdowns in a game since Week 18 of the 2022 season when the Buffalo Bills did so against the New England Patriots . KaVontae Turpin goes 99 yards for the TD 🔥 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX 📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IiHNVZAnt5 It's remarkable Dallas was even in this game after its first six offensive possessions went as follows: blocked field goal, missed field goal, lost fumble, and then three consecutive punts. Dallas defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer and his defense deserve a ton of credit. It entered Week 12 as the NFL's second-worst defense, allowing 29.3 points per game, due to a litany of injuries to edge rusher DeMarcus Lawrence , edge rusher Micah Parsons , cornerback DaRon Bland , cornerback Trevon Diggs and more. The star of the day for the Cowboys defense was undrafted rookie corner Josh Butler . He led all players in tackles with 12 and broke up three passes. All-Pro edge rusher Micah Parsons also racked up two sacks of Daniels, while 2023 third-round pick DeMarvion Overshown added another. Daniels threw for as many interceptions as he did touchdowns (two) in addition to 275 yards on 25 of 38 passing. He had fewer than 200 yards passing (189) prior to his 86-yard touchdown to McLaurin with 21 seconds remaining. After two lackluster starts in place of an injured Dak Prescott (hamstring), veteran quarterback Cooper Rush put together his best career start: he threw for 247 yards and two touchdowns on 24 of 32 passing for a 117.6 passer rating, his career-high in nine starts. Rush's second scoring strike was his best throw of the day. He hung in the pocket calmly against a Commanders blitz on third-and-6 and then delivered a high-arching throw to wide-open tight end Luke Schoonmaker for a 22-yard touchdown. Lead running back Rico Dowdle also provided enough support in the run game, totaling 86 yards on 19 carries. Why the Cowboys won Their defense stood tall for the vast majority of the game, and then their special teams saved the day at the end when they faltered. Many teams in the midst of a five-game losing streak might have folded when the Commanders scored eight points to trim their lead to 20-17 with 3:02 left to play. All Dallas did was take the ensuing kickoff to the house thanks to Turpin's Pro Bowl-caliber efforts. The special teams unit bailed out the defense again following the Commanders second missed extra point by not only recovering the extra point but housing it for the score. Why the Commanders lost Their special teams play and lackluster offense. Washington missed two extra points and surrendered two kickoff return touchdowns in the fourth quarter. Daniels and Co. being unable to take advantage of the Cowboys early sloppiness on their first six possessions stands out as well. Turning point Turpin's 99-yard kickoff return touchdown. This completely turned the tide of the game, and it did essentially win the game since the Commanders were then trailing by two scores with under three minutes left. It's a hole they were unable to completely climb out of. KaVontae Turpin goes 99 yards for the TD 🔥 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX 📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/IiHNVZAnt5 Play of the game Daniels' 86-yard passing touchdown to McLaurin. All seemed lost when they started their final offensive drive down seven at their own 14 without a timeout. The Cowboys simply tackling the Commanders in bounds would have ended the game. Instead, McLaurin leveled up and magically maneuvered his way into the end zone for what appeared to be the game-tying touchdown before a missed extra point rained on Washington's parade. COMMANDERS 86-YARD TOUCHDOWN WOW 📺: #DALvsWAS on FOX 📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/apaNEKNCkh What's next The 4-7 Cowboys return home to host the 2-9 Giants on Thanksgiving Day in Week 13. The Commanders, who have now lost three in a row after a 7-2 start, will host the 3-8 Tennessee Titans in Week 13.
It's been a stop-start opening to the A-League season, and given the potential train strike mooted for this weekend, those intending to partake in Unite round festivities at Allianz Stadium might get a bigger dose of "Stop" than they might hope for. Login or signup to continue reading Ah, the best laid plans ... I get the concept, and it's hard to plan for unforeseen circumstances, but you are already taking a risk, scheduling multiple games in a potentially stormy Sydney in late November, for a code whose quality of product is reliant on the playing surface. Fortunately the weather forecast seems good for the majority of the weekend, fingers crossed. If the projected strike goes ahead protesters may be the main source of discontent. I speak of course of visiting Novocastrians who hate paying to park at the best of times, and face inconvenience, delay and some pretty steep prices to park in adjacent parkland. Cancel all police leave Mr Minns ... I'm joking I guess, but with an eye to the sanctity of home games, as well as quirky Novocastrian values. In round five last season the Jets were due to take on a Mariners side who had zero points, and a coach under enormous pressure, at McDonald Jones Stadium. Enter a chap called McCartney on the Tuesday night prior, and suddenly we are swapping home games with the Mariners, after his concert damaged the pitch. A sensible decision in the interests of player welfare, and product, but one that "could change the course of the Mariners season" wrote your scribe at the time. I don't know if the Jets would have won if it had been played up here, nor would I have suggested mortgaging the house to back them, but surely the ground swap at a critical moment in the Mariners season helped them and an under-pressure coach? The fact that after the Mariners won that game 2-0, and then went on a glorious 3000-game unbeaten run, picking up silverware ad nauseum, suggests they had a lot going for them, but perhaps board-level patience might have dissolved with one more defeat, and history told another story? Maybe not, we shall never know. But fast forward 12 months and here we are in round five, the Jets are playing their allotted home derby fixture against the Mariners at Allianz Stadium in Sydney. Not quite deja vu, but in the same postcode, and with both sides on three points and struggling for rhythm the Jets lose their territorial advantage. I realise others foresaking home advantage will travel a lot further to Unite-round matches, but early ticket sales suggest Mariners fans may outnumber Jets fans three to one on the night. And if our mob find out public transport could be a shambles and it could cost $25 to $30 to park at Moore Park ... it may get worse! The Jets are in ninth position , three points from three games, three points from bottom, and seven points from the leader. They face a trip to unbeaten Auckland next weekend, so to say this clash is important is a classic understatement. Their mental application has been excellent in one of their three matches to date, and below par in the other two. Coach Rob Stanton will need his troops fully concentrated for this fixture. Injuries have probably dictated that his best combination hasn't started a game this season, and to be fair he hasn't had much time, in real competition matches, to assess what 11 provides the best balance. It is an important match for the player-fan connection for the Jets as well. Is the team going to be good enough to escape the "almost", and "nearly" tags of recent seasons? Or are we in another rebuilding phase? Friday night can, and probably will paint a clearer picture, and call me old-fashioned, but I'd prefer it was at home. 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"We see that Russia is using international platforms to legalize their actions, to legalize their occupation of our territory," Ukraine's Deputy Environmental Minister Olha Yukhymchuk told Reuters. She said Ukraine is in touch with officials from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN's main climate body, to ask it to resolve the dispute. Russia had already included emissions from Ukraine's Crimea region, annexed in 2014, in its last few reporting submissions to the UNFCCC. The Moscow-friendly Georgian Dream party, fresh off a contested victory in parliamentary elections last month that ignited calls for fresh polls and pro-EU demonstrations in Tbilisi, is preparing to hold its first parliamentary session on November 25. In comments to RFE/RL, Parliament Speaker Shalva Papuashvili said that foreign diplomats would not be invited to attend the opening session, saying it “should only be celebrated by the Georgian people." EU and other Western officials have expressed serious doubts about the October 26 elections in which Georgian Dream officially won 53.9 percent of the vote. Opposition leaders this week called on foreign diplomats not to legitimize the new parliament by attending the first session of parliament. Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili has refused to recognize the result validated by the country’s Central Election Committee (CEC), and protests demanding new elections continue to be held in the country’s capital. Protesters have alleged that there was widespread fraud during the campaign and vote, and that Russia heavily influenced the outcome favoring Georgian Dream, which has been in power since 2012. In recent days, Georgian police have shut down the demonstrations, including through the use of violence on November 19. Video footage by RFE/RL correspondents in Tbilisi showed police dragging people to the ground, including women, and beating them before taking them away. The same day, Zurabishvili filed a lawsuit in the Constitutional Court "requesting annulment of the election results as unconstitutional.” The first item on the agenda for the opening session, which will be attended by the head of the CEC, will be recognizing the authority of all 150 parliament members. Georgia has been a candidate for EU membership since last year, but a "foreign influence" law and anti-LGBT measures enacted under Georgian Dream’s leadership have stalled that effort. The United States in July announced that it would pause more than $95 million in assistance to the Georgian government, warning it that it was backsliding on democracy. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is considering tapping Richard Grenell, his former intelligence chief, to be a special envoy for the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to four sources familiar with the transition plans. Grenell, who served as Trump's ambassador to Germany, as special envoy to Serbia-Kosovo talks, and was acting director of national intelligence during Trump's 2017-2021 term, would play a key role in Trump's efforts to halt the war if he is ultimately selected for the post. While there is currently no special envoy dedicated solely to resolving the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Trump is considering creating the role, according to the four sources. Grenell has advocated for the creation of "autonomous zones" as a means of settling the conflict. He also suggested he would not be in favor of Ukraine joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in the immediate future. EU Parliament President Roberta Metsola supports the use of long-range missiles by Ukraine in its defense against Russia's full-scale invasion and said Germany should quickly deliver its long-range Taurus system to the embattled country. Metsola, in an interview published on November 23 by the Funke Mediengruppe newspapers, said "yes," when asked whether countries providing long-range missiles to Ukraine should allow it to use them against targets in Russia -- and whether Germany should deliver its Taurus weapons system to Ukraine. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a Social Democrat, has been staunchly opposed to sending Taurus missiles to Ukraine. His coalition partners, the pro-business Free Democrats and the Greens, however, are in favor of sending Kyiv the missiles. Austria has dropped its long-standing veto to Bulgaria and Romania joining the passport free Schengen zone, opening the door to their accession next year. The breakthrough development was announced on November 22 by the Hungarian presidency of the EU Council, which hosted a meeting in Budapest with the interior ministers of Romania, Bulgaria, and Austria. The EU will meet with the two candidate countries to finalize a joint security package at a meeting on December 11-12. The two countries could become Schengen members in January. “Bulgaria and Romania belong fully to the Schengen area. I welcome the positive outcome of informal discussions in Budapest today.” Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, said in a tweet following the announcement. The addition of Bulgaria and Romania will expand the Schengen zone to 28 states, including 24 EU members. Ireland and Cyprus will remain the only EU members not part of the Schengen Area. Bulgarians and Romanians currently are not permitted to travel freely into other Schengen member states over land borders. Early this year, they received the right to travel freely by air and sea in the first concession by Vienna. After the meeting in Budapest, Hungarian Interior Minister Sandor Pinter told media that the agreement to be signed next month includes the establishment of a special contingent of at least 100 border police officers on the Turkish-Bulgarian border. Hungary will contribute to the full deployment of the officers and provide the necessary technical equipment to ensure effective protection of the border, he said. Pinter expressed confidence that the issue could be resolved by December 31. EU Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said a January accession date is a realistic goal. Yekaterina Neroznikova, a journalist and member of the Marem human rights group, is facing administrative charges in Russia for her alleged involvement with an "undesirable organization." The charges stem from Neroznikova's participation in an interview with RFE/RL earlier this year, where she discussed the high-profile abduction of Seda Suleimanova, a native of Chechnya. The administrative protocol was filed with the Zhukovsky City Court in Moscow Oblast on November 15, with a hearing scheduled for November 26. Neroznikova, who left Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, disclosed the development to the OVD-Info human rights group, a prominent watchdog monitoring political persecution in Russia. The case against Neroznikova is linked to her April 2024 appearance on RFE/RL’s program Human Rights Are A Right. During the program, she discussed the abduction of Suleimanova, who was forcibly taken from St. Petersburg in August 2023 by local police and Chechen operatives. Suleimanova, who fled Chechnya in 2022 because of pressure being put on her to agree to a forced marriage, has been missing since September last year. The charges against Neroznikova are seen as part of Russia’s broader crackdown on dissent and press freedom. Suleimanova's case has prompted global protests and solidarity campaigns highlighting ongoing human rights concerns in Chechnya and Russia in general. According to Neroznikova, a man identifying himself as an officer of the Interior Ministry contacted her relatives last week before reaching out to her directly. He informed her of the administrative charges, citing her commentary on RFE/RL as the reason. RFE/RL's Russian Service and its multiple projects in the Russian language were designated as "undesirable organizations" in Russia in February 2024, making any association with them punishable under Russian law. Participation in the activities of an “undesirable organization” in Russia can result in fines of up to 15,000 rubles for individuals. Repeat offenses within a year can escalate to criminal charges, carrying penalties of up to four years in prison. Suleimanova's case has drawn international attention. In 2022, she fled her family in Chechnya to avoid an arranged marriage and persistent conflicts. In August 2023, she was abducted in St. Petersburg by individuals including local police and plainclothes Chechen security officers. She was taken to her family in Chechnya, and no information about her whereabouts has been available since September 2023. An investigation into Suleimanova’s disappearance was launched in March 2024 following thousands of public appeals. Despite the family's claims that she left home again in February, observers remain skeptical, citing conflicting statements made by her relatives. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country's new intermediate-range ballistic missile, a nuclear-capable weapon, will continue to be tested, including in combat conditions, as Moscow struck several Ukrainian regions with other, less powerful weapons. "We will continue these tests, including in combat conditions, depending on the situation and the nature of the security threats that are created for Russia," Putin said on November 22 at a meeting with Defense Ministry officials and military-industrial complex officials. The Kremlin leader also called for serial production of the large missile to begin. Russia launched the so-called Oreshnik ballistic missile against Ukraine on November 21 in a strike targeting the city of Dnipro. Putin said at the time it was part of Moscow's response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian soil with U.S.-supplied ATACMS and British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles. The use of the Oreshnik "is first and foremost a messaging and saber rattling kind of weapon. This is the sort of delivery system that's not cheap. It's not a battlefield sort of weapon," Tom Karako, a missile defense expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, told RFE/RL. Putin added on November 22 that the Oreshnik is new and not an upgrade of previous Soviet-designed weaponry. The United States said the new missile is “experimental” and based on Russia’s RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). Ukraine initially accused Russia of having used an ICBM in the Dnipro attack. An ICBM has never been used in a war. Strategic Weapons Russia has been striking Ukraine with Iskanders, ground-launched, short-range ballistic missiles, and Kinzhals, air-launched, intermediate-range ballistic missiles, as well as various cruise missiles. Russia probably only has several units of the Oreshnik in stock, a U.S. official told media following the November 21 strike. Ukraine's military intelligence put the figure at up to 10 units. If Russia were to move forward with serial production of the Oreshnik, it would be for its nuclear force posture and not for use in a conventional war like the one with Ukraine, Karako said. "This is not an alternative to a cruise missile. It's probably designed for strategic weapons," he said. Zelenskiy's Response In his November 21 address to the nation announcing the use of the Oreshnik, Putin said that the missile traveled at a speed of Mach 10, or 2.5-3 kilometers per second, claiming that "there are currently no ways of counteracting this weapon." Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on November 22 that Ukraine was working on developing new types of air defenses to counter "new risks," a reference to missiles like the Oreshnik. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said testing a new weapon for the purposes of terror in another country was an "international crime" and called for a worldwide "serious response" to keep Russia from expanding the war. "When someone starts using other countries not only for terror, but also for testing their new missiles through acts of terror, then this is clearly an international crime." A lack of air defenses has been one of Ukraine's major weak spots in the 33-month war with Ukraine. Zelenskiy has called on the West to deliver more air defense systems since the first days of the invasion. He had also called on the West to ease restrictions preventing Ukraine from striking inside Russia with powerful long-range weapons. Zelenskiy said the deep strikes were necessary to target airfields critical for Russia's daily aerial attacks. The United States and the United Kingdom reportedly lifted the restrictions on November 17 with Ukraine using their long-range weapons -- ATACMS and Storm Shadow respectively -- to hit targets in Russia's regions of Belgorod and Kursk. Putin launched the Oreshnik into Ukraine to warn the West against arming Ukraine. Parliament Session Canceled Russia did not use the Oreshnik to strike Ukraine during another deadly air attack on November 22. Two people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian strikes on Sumy, Artem Kobzar, the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city, reported in a video statement on Telegram. The Ukrainian Air Force said Russian drone attacks were under way in four regions -- Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr. In the capital, which has been on edge for several days amid intense Russian attacks on Ukraine, lawmakers were advised to avoid the government district on November 22 and parliament canceled a scheduled session due to warnings of a potential missile strike. "We were informed about the risk of a missile strike on the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv in the coming days. Putin has significantly raised the stakes . Tomorrow's parliamentary session is canceled," lawmaker Taras Batenko said. Oleksiy Honcharenko, another lawmaker, said on Telegram that the next session was now planned for December, although parliament leaders have not officially commented on the warnings. Zelenskiy's office assured the public that the presidential administration would continue operating "as usual" on November 22. The Russian Supreme Court has declared the international organization Post-Russia Free Nations Forum a terrorist group, the latest move in the Kremlin's clampdown on any sign of dissent. The organization, founded in Poland in 2022, has been accused of promoting separatism and aiming to disband the Russian Federation into independent states under foreign influence. Russia is a multiethnic state comprised of more than 80 regions, many of which have large indigenous populations, such as Chechnya and Tatarstan. Since coming to power in 1999, Russian President Vladimir Putin has centralized authority, curtailing the autonomy that some ethnic regions enjoyed. Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its attempt to wipe out Ukrainian identity has shone a bright light on the Kremlin's historical mistreatment of its own indigenous populations and triggered a "decolonization" movement that seeks to give more prominence to ethnic groups within Russian historical and cultural studies. The case against the Post-Russia Free Nations Forum was launched in late October by the Prosecutor-General’s Office, which cited its activities as a threat to Russia’s territorial integrity and national security. In its statement, the Prosecutor General’s Office alleged that the forum operates through 172 regional and national entities, including the Baltic Republican Party, the Ingria Movement, the Congress of Peoples of the North Caucasus, the Free Yakutia Foundation, and the Far Eastern Confederation. The office claims these groups are directed by exiled leaders of separatist movements. “These leaders aim to divide the Russian Federation into independent states that would fall under the influence of hostile foreign countries,” the Prosecutor-General’s Office stated on its official website. The Post-Russia Free Nations Forum is registered in Poland and describes itself as a civic movement advocating for greater regional autonomy within Russia, with some members supporting full independence for regions. On its website and social media platforms, the organization also uses variations of its name, such as the Post-Russia Free States Forum. Ukrainian businessman Oleh Mahaletskiy positions himself as one of the founders of the group and is believed to be a major sponsor. The group’s activities have included discussions on decentralization and independence, with notable speakers such as the noted Tatar activist Nafis Kashapov, Bashkir activist Ruslan Gabbasov, Russian opposition politician Ilya Ponomaryov, U.S. political analyst Janusz Bugajski, and others. Following the November 22 terrorist designation by the Supreme Court, all activities of the Post-Russia Free Nations Forum are now banned in Russia. Membership or association with the group is subject to criminal prosecution under Russian anti-terrorism laws. Critics of the ruling argue that the designation reflects a broader crackdown on dissent and regional autonomy movements in Russia. They note that the Forum primarily operates abroad and online, raising questions about the ruling’s effectiveness outside Russian borders. The Forum has not yet responded to the court’s decision. Observers suggest that this ruling may escalate tensions between Russia and countries hosting members of the organization, particularly Poland, where it is registered. The authoritarian ruler of Belarus, Alyaksandr Lukashenka, has threatened to shut down the Internet in the event of mass protests during or after the upcoming presidential election, after the previous vote in 2020 erupted in unprecedented unrest amid opposition allegations it was rigged. Speaking to students at Minsk State Linguistic University on November 22, Lukashenka defended past Internet restrictions and warned of future measures to throttle dissent. "If this happens again, we will shut it down entirely. Do you think I will sit idly and pray you don't send a message when the fate of the country is at stake?" state news agency BelTA quoted him as saying. Lukashenka admitted that Internet disruptions during the 2020 protests were conducted with his approval, citing the need to "protect the country." Following the August 9, 2020, election, which many Western governments have said was not free and fair, Internet access across Belarus was disrupted for several days and intermittently blocked. The disputed election that extended Lukashenka's decades of rule -- he has held power since 1994 -- for another term was widely condemned as fraudulent by the United States, the European Union, and other international actors. The protests, which demanded Lukashenka’s resignation, were met with mass arrests, alleged torture, and violent crackdowns that left several people dead. Many opposition leaders remain imprisoned or in exile, while Lukashenka refuses dialogue with his critics. The next presidential election in Belarus is scheduled for January 26. Alsu Kurmasheva, a journalist for RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service, was honored with the International Press Freedom Award by the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) in a ceremony held in New York on November 21. Kurmasheva, who was recently released from detention in Russia after spending 288 days in custody, thanked the CPJ for its efforts toward gaining her freedom. "Journalism is not a crime," she said , noting that more than 20 journalists are currently imprisoned in Russia. Kurmasheva added that she was dedicating the award to her colleagues still imprisoned , including RFE/RL journalists Ihar Losik and Andrey Kuznechyk in Belarus, Vladislav Yesypenko in Crimea, and Farid Mehralizada in Azerbaijan. "My colleagues are not just statistics; like me they are real human beings with families who miss and love them. There are dozens of other journalists in Russian prisons. They should be released at once," Kurmasheva stressed . Other recipients of the award this year included Palestinian journalist Shorouq al-Aila, Guatemalan journalist Kimi de Leon, and Nigerien investigative journalist Samira Sabou, all recognized for their courage in the face of persecution. Detained by authorities in June 2023 as she was visiting relatives in the central Russian city of Kazan, Kurmasheva was initially charged with not declaring her U.S. passport. She was released but barred from leaving the country. That October, however, she was arrested, jailed, and charged with being an undeclared "foreign agent" -- under a draconian law targeting journalists, civil society activists, and others. She was later hit with an additional charge: distributing what the government claims is false information about the Russian military, a charge stemming from her work editing a book about Russians opposed to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. RFE/RL, as well as the U.S. government, called the charges absurd. The prisoner exchange that came to fruition on August 1 included 24 people in all -- including Kurmasheva, Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gerskovich, and Russian political activist Vladimir Kara-Murza -- in a complex, seven-country deal. Religious tensions are on the rise in northwestern Pakistan following a deadly attack on a police-escorted convoy of Shi'ite Muslims that threatened to reignite sectarian violence in a strife-plagued region of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province. In the aftermath of the attack on the 200-vehicle convoy traveling from Peshawar to Parachinar, the capital city of the Kurram district, authorities on November 22 imposed a curfew and suspended mobile service in the remote mountainous district. RFE/RL correspondents on the ground reported on November 22 that heavily armed people set fire to a military checkpoint in the area overnight. In Parachinar, dozens of angry people carrying automatic weapons were gathering, amid reports that several other facilities of the Pakistani Army and the paramilitary Frontier Constabulary were attacked and destroyed, with RFE/RL correspondents reporting sounds of constant heavy gunfire. Jamshed Shirazi, a social activist in Parachinar, told RFE/RL that several government installations had been damaged by the angry protesters. "People are expressing their anger by attacking the government offices," Shirazi said. But Jalal Hussain Bangash, a local Shi'ite leader, voiced dismay at the violence during a Friday Prayer sermon on November 22 and said that Shi'a had nothing to do with the ensuing violence, RFE/RL correspondents on the ground report . Hamid Hussain, a lawmaker from Kurram in the national parliament, was adamant that the violence was the work of provocateurs. "We are helpless. Neither Shi'a nor Sunnis are involved in this. This is some other invisible forces who do not want to see peace in the area," Hussain told RFE/RL. At least 48 people, including several women and children, were killed and more than 40 wounded when gunmen opened fire on November 21 on the convoy of vehicles in the Kurram district of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa province near the Afghan border. Local leaders told RFE/RL that most of those killed were Shi'a, but at least four Sunnis were also among the dead. No one has taken responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series of deadly confrontations in Kurram, long known as a hotspot of Shi'ite-Sunni sectarian conflict. Local tribal leader Malik Dildar Hussain told RFE/RL that there were about 700 people in the convoy. Tensions in Kurram began to heat up in the past several months, where clashes again erupted between Sunni and Shi'ite Muslim tribes in the area, which was formerly semiautonomous. On October 12, 17 people were killed in an attack on a convoy, and there have been a handful of deadly attacks since then. Sunnis and Shi'a live together in Kurram and have clashed violently over land, forests, and other property as well as religion over the years, despite government and law enforcement efforts to build peace. Minority Shi'ite Muslims have long suffered discrimination and violence in Sunni-majority Pakistan. Moscow launched another deadly attack on Ukraine on November 22, a day after firing what it said was a new intermediate-range missile that the Kremlin boasted was a " warning " for the West, after Kyiv reportedly obtained permission from President Joe Biden to strike into Russia with U.S. long-range missiles. Two people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian strikes on Sumy, Artem Kobzar, the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city, reported in a video statement on Telegram. Ukraine's air force said Russian drone attacks were under way in four regions -- Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr. In the capital, which has been on edge for several days amid intense Russian attacks on Ukraine, lawmakers were advised to avoid the government district on November 22 and parliament canceled a scheduled session due to warnings of a potential missile strike. "We were informed about the risk of a missile strike on the Verkhovna Rada in Kyiv in the coming days. Putin has significantly raised the stakes . Tomorrow's parliamentary session is canceled," lawmaker Taras Batenko said, while lawmaker Oleksiy Honcharenko said on Telegram that the next session was now planned for December, although parliament leaders have not officially commented on the warnings. The office of President Volodymyr Zelenskiy assured the public that it would continue operating "as usual" on November 22. On November 20, the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine warned of a significant Russian air attack, prompting the temporary closure of its operations. The embassies of Spain, Italy, and Greece also suspended services for the day. On November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the "successful combat testing" of a new Oreshnik (Hazel Tree) intermediate-range ballistic missile amid the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Putin claimed the missile was used in a strike on Ukraine's eastern city of Dnipro, asserting it was a response to NATO’s "aggressive actions" and Ukraine’s use of Western-supplied missiles to target Russian territory. On November 22, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated that the test was a message to the West that Moscow will respond harshly to any "reckless" Western moves in support of Ukraine. "The main message is that the reckless decisions and actions of Western countries that produce missiles, supply them to Ukraine, and subsequently participate in strikes on Russian territory cannot remain without a reaction from the Russian side," Peskov told reporters. "The Russian side has clearly demonstrated its capabilities, and the contours of further retaliatory actions in the event that our concerns are not taken into account have been quite clearly outlined," he said. Ukraine's military intelligence said on November 22 that Russia may have up to 10 units of the new missile. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has invited his Israeli counterpart to visit Hungary, defying an arrest warrant for issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for Benjamin Netanyahu that other European states say they will honor. Orban, speaking during his regular weekly interview with Hungarian state radio, said on November 22 that the ICC's decision a day earlier to issue the warrant accusing Netanyahu of "crimes against humanity and war crimes" committed during the war in Gaza was "outrageously brazen" and "cynical." The ICC issued similar arrest warrants for former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and a Hamas military leader who Israel claims to have killed but whose death the U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist group has not officially acknowledged. The ICC said Netanyahu and Gallant were suspected of using "starvation as a method of warfare" by restricting humanitarian aid while targeting civilians in Israel's war in Gaza -- charges Israeli officials deny. Orban said the ICC move against Netanyahu "intervenes in an ongoing conflict...dressed up as a legal decision, but in fact for political purposes." "Later today, I will invite the Israeli prime minister, Mr. Netanyahu, to visit Hungary, where I will guarantee him, if he comes, that the judgment of the ICC will have no effect in Hungary, and that we will not follow its terms," he added. "There is no choice here, we have to defy this decision," Orban said. Shortly after the ICC decision was announced, the European Union's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said ICC decisions "are binding on all states party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU member states." However, the EU's most powerful members, Germany and France, on November 22 reacted with restraint to the ICC warrants. A spokesman said the German government will refrain from any moves until a visit to Germany by Netanyahu is planned. "I find it hard to imagine that we would make arrests on this basis," Steffen Hebestreit said on November 22, adding that legal questions had to be clarified about the warrant. In Paris, Foreign Ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine only said that France acknowledged the ICC's move and voiced its support for the ICC's independence. "France takes note of this decision. True to its long-standing commitment to supporting international justice, it reiterates its attachment to the independent work of the court, in accordance with the Rome Statute," Lemoine said. Hungary, a NATO and European Union member state, has signed and ratified the 1999 document. However, it has not published the statute's associated convention and therefore argues that it is not bound to comply with ICC decisions. Netanyahu on November 22 thanked Orban for his show of "moral clarity." "Faced with the shameful weakness of those who stood by the outrageous decision against the right of the State of Israel to defend itself, Hungary" is "standing by the side of justice and truth," Netanyahu said in a statement. A right-wing nationalist in power since 2010, Orban has maintained close relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and has voiced opposition to the EU's sanctions imposed on Moscow after its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Orban has previously said that Hungary would not arrest Putin either, despite the ICC arrest warrant issued on the Russian leader's name for war crimes for his role in deporting Ukrainian children. Furthermore, he flew to Moscow in July immediately after Hungary took over the EU's rotating six-month presidency to meet with Putin, in defiance of the fellow members of the bloc. Soltan Achilova, a veteran journalist and former RFE/RL correspondent in Turkmenistan, was forcibly hospitalized in Ashgabat on November 20 in what appears to be a move by the government to prevent her from flying to Geneva to receive an international award. According to the Chronicle of Turkmenistan website, four men in medical gowns arrived at the 75-year-old's apartment early that morning, claiming she was suspected of carrying an infectious disease and needed an "urgent" examination. Achilova, who showed no signs of illness, was forcibly taken to the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Infectious Diseases in Ashgabat's Choganly district. Her family was not allowed to accompany her and her apartment keys were confiscated. One family member said one of the men told Achilova, "Why do you need keys in the afterlife?" Doctors have not disclosed when she will be released. Turkmenistan is consistently ranked by media watchdogs, such as Reporters Without Borders (RSF), among the worst countries in the world for press freedom. Independent media are nonexistent in the authoritarian Central Asian state, where journalism "amounts only to praise for the regime," according to RSF. The government continues a relentless clampdown on dissent -- with critics being harassed, beaten, tortured, jailed, and even killed. Many others have been forced abroad into exile. Human rights groups, including the Turkmen Initiative for Human Rights and the International Partnership for Human Rights, immediately condemned Achilova's forced detention, calling it a stark escalation in Turkmenistan's crackdown on free speech. They demanded her immediate release and an end to the persecution of journalists. Achilova, the only journalist in Turkmenistan who openly criticizes the authoritarian government, has faced repeated harassment, threats, and attacks. In November 2023, border guards at the Ashgabat airport destroyed her passport to prevent her from traveling to Switzerland, where she was scheduled to attend the Martin Ennals Award human rights ceremony. Achilova has faced verbal threats and physical attacks, which the journalist and her supporters describe as government retaliation for her work. Many of her relatives have also been threatened. Ashgabat doesn't tolerate any dissent, and the government has stifled independent media, forced opposition activists into exile, and blocked access to all major social media and messaging apps to virtually cut its citizens off from the rest of the world. The Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy, has canceled appearances by opera singer Ildar Abdrazakov over his support for Russian President Vladimir Putin. Pina Picierno, a vice president in the European Parliament, announced the cancellation on the social network X on November 21, emphasizing that Abdrazakov's ties to the Kremlin made him unfit for a leading cultural institution in Europe. She had led a campaign to keep Abdrazakov from performing in productions of Verdi’s Don Carlos and Attila operas. The Anti-Corruption Foundation of Aleksei Navalny had previously named Abdrazakov, who comes from the Bashkortostan region, as a regime supporter, citing his performances at events tied to Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and a lucrative appearance on Red Square in 2022. This marks the latest in a series of international cancellations for Abdrazakov, whose scheduled performances in the United States and Germany were also recently cancelled. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Idel.Realities, click here . Iran has vowed to respond to a resolution adopted by the United Nations' nuclear watchdog that criticizes the Islamic republic for what it says is poor cooperation by installing a number of "new and advanced" centrifuges. The resolution, which comes shortly after the return of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) chief Rafael Grossi from a trip to Iran , reportedly says it is "essential and urgent" for Tehran to "act to fulfill its legal obligations." A joint statement by Iran's Foreign Ministry and Atomic Energy Organization said on November 22 that the country's nuclear chief, Mohammad Eslami, "issued an order to take effective measures, including launching a significant series of new and advanced centrifuges of various types." The Iranian announcement came after the IAEA's board on November 21 issued a second resolution condemning Tehran's cooperation with the agency after a similar warning in June. Some analysts say the resolution may be a step toward making a political decision to trigger a "snapback" of UN Security Council (UNSC) sanctions against Iran. The "snapback" mechanism is outlined in UNSC Resolution 2231, which enshrined a 2015 nuclear deal between Iran and world powers. However, the option to reimpose the sanctions expires in October 2025. The IAEA resolution, put forward by France, Germany, and Britain and supported by the United States, comes at a critical time as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to return at the White House in January. Trump during his first term embarked on a "maximum pressure" campaign of intensified sanctions on Iran and unilaterally withdrew the United States in 2018 from a landmark 2015 agreement that lifted some sanctions on Iran in exchange of curbs to its nuclear program, which the West suspects is aimed at obtaining a nuclear weapon. Iran claims its nuclear program is peaceful. The resolution passed on November 21 also urged Iran to cooperate with an investigation launched after uranium particles were found at two sites that Iranian authorities had not declared as nuclear locations. Nineteen of the 35 members of the IAEA board voted in favor of the resolution. Russia, China, and Burkina Faso opposed it, 12 members abstained, while one did not vote, diplomats who spoke on condition of anonymity told the AP. It also calls on the IAEA to come up with a "comprehensive report" on Iran's nuclear activities by spring. During Grossi's visit, Iran agreed with an IAEA demand to limit its stock of uranium enriched at 60 percent purity, which is still under the 90 percent threshold needed for a nuclear weapon, but it is much higher than the 3.67 percent limit it agreed to in the 2015 deal. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi, who was Tehran's chief negotiator for the 2015 agreement, warned that Iran would not negotiate "under pressure." Tehran has responded to previous similar resolutions by moves such as removing IAEA cameras and monitoring equipment from several nuclear sites, and increasing uranium enrichment to 60 percent purity at a second site, the Fordow plant. Two people were killed and 12 wounded in Russian strikes on Sumy early on November 22, Artem Kobzar, the mayor of the northeastern Ukrainian city, reported in a video statement on Telegram. "Several powerful explosions were heard in Sumy," he said in the video, adding that rescue teams, police, and ambulances were working at the site of the explosions. Kobzar urged residents to take shelter, saying that air defenses were still engaging incoming drones in the morning. Ukraine's air force said Russian drone attacks were under way in four regions -- Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, and Zhytomyr. To read the original story by RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, click here . A senior North Korean general has been wounded in Russia’s Kursk region, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Western officials. More than 10,000 North Korean troops are supporting Russian forces in Kursk. Russian President Vladimir Putin is hoping to recover the swath of the Kursk region that Ukraine seized in August before President Donald Trump takes office early next year. The United States this week gave Ukraine the green light to use its long-range ATACMS missiles to strike Russian assets in Kursk and said North Korean troops would be fair game. It is unclear how the North Korean general was wounded, the WSJ reported . The United States has imposed sanctions on Gazprombank, Russia’s third-largest lender, and dozens of other financial institutions as President Joe Biden seeks to further curtail the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine before he leaves office in two months. Gazprombank, which plays an important role in facilitating Russian energy exports, was the only remaining large Russian lender not under U.S. sanctions. Washington and Brussels had avoided sanctioning Gazprombank amid concern over possible energy export interruptions. Along with Gazprombank, the United States also announced sanctions on more than 50 other Russian banks conducting international operations, more than 40 Russian securities registrars and 15 Russian finance officials. The United States also warned financial institutions against joining Russia’s version of the international messaging system for banks known as SWIFT. Russia is seeking to attract international banks to its messaging platform to get around U.S. financial sanctions. “Today’s action reaffirms the U.S. commitment to curtail Russia’s ability to use the international financial system to conduct its war against Ukraine and disrupts Russia’s attempts to make cross-border payments for dual-use goods and military materiel,” State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said in a November 21 statement. Ukraine backers had been calling on the Biden administration for months to tighten sanctions on Russia’s banking sector, saying the Kremlin was finding ways around existing sanctions to pay for technology imports and other dual-use items. In addition to facilitating energy payments, Gazprombank had been acting as a conduit for the purchase of military goods. The Kremlin also uses Gazprombank to pay Russian soldiers and compensate families for war deaths. “I am grateful to @POTUS and his administration for today’s strong package of financial and banking sanctions targeting Russia’s economy and war chest,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said in a tweet . Eddie Fishman, a former State Department official and sanctions expert, called the latest announcement a “strong step” toward closing loopholes around Russia’s energy sector, which generates about half of federal budget revenues. Biden will leave office on January 20 to make way for President-elect Donald Trump, who has promised to end the war in Ukraine by getting Zelenskiy and Russian President Vladimir Putin to sit down at the negotiating table, something that experts say will be harder done than said. The financial sanctions come at a critical time for Russia’s economy as Putin’s record spending on the war effort drives up inflation and interest rates. The Russian Central Bank last month raised interest rates to 21 percent, the highest in decades, and could continue to ratchet them up with no end in sight to the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin said his military fired a new intermediate-range missile into Ukraine following accusations by Kyiv that it was an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). In a November 21 video statement to the nation, Putin said the use of the new weapon was a response to the United States and the United Kingdom giving permission to Kyiv to fire their long-range missiles into Russia. "In combat conditions, one of the newest Russian medium-range missile systems was tested," Putin said, adding that it was a hypersonic, ballistic missile capable of carrying a nuclear warhead. Earlier in the day, Kyiv accused Russia of striking Ukraine with what it said appeared to be an ICBM. The new weapon was part of a larger missile attack on Dnipropetrovsk, home to important military-industrial plants. ICBMs, which are designed to deliver long-distance nuclear strikes, have never been used in war before. "On the morning of November 21, 2024...Russian troops attacked the city of Dnipro (facilities and critical infrastructure) with missiles of various types. In particular, an intercontinental ballistic missile was launched from the Astrakhan region of the Russian Federation," the Ukrainian Air Force said in its statement on Telegram. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Telegram later that the new Russian weapon had "all characteristics -- speed, altitude -- [of an] intercontinental ballistic missile." Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said Russia struck Ukraine with an "experimental" intermediate-range ballistic missile that was based on its RS-26 Rubezh ICBM. She said Russia had informed the United States it would be launching the experimental missile shortly beforehand through "nuclear risk reduction channels." She said the new weapon had a smaller warhead that some other missiles Russia has launched into Ukraine. A U.S. official who asked not to be identified told media that Putin was seeking to intimidate Ukraine but added that Moscow only had a few of the "experimental" missiles. The Russian attack comes just days after reports that Ukraine used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles and U.S.-made ATACMS systems to strike military targets deeper inside Russia following the long-sought approval by President Joe Biden. The RS-26 Rubezh is a solid-fueled, road-mobile ICBM currently in development that has been tested with heavier payloads at intermediate ranges. Military analysts said ICBM missiles can be classified as intermediate-range weapons when their payloads are increased and ranges decreased. The main target of the Russian attack was the southeastern region of Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine's most important industrial region, and its capital, the city of Dnipro. Ukraine's air force said that besides the ICBM, Russian aircraft also launched a hypersonic Kh-47M2 Kinzhal missile and seven subsonic Kh-101 cruise missiles. Ukrainian air defenses shot down six Kh-101 missiles, the air force reported. Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysak said his region bore the brunt of the Russian attack. "Since early in the morning, the aggressor massively attacked our region," Lysak reported on Telegram, adding that preliminary information showed that an industrial facility was damaged in the regional capital, Dnipro, where two fires were started by the attack. Explosions were also reported in Kremenchuk, in the central Poltava region. Moscow's use of a large number of sophisticated missiles as opposed to the usual drone attacks appears to be in response to Ukraine's gaining approval to use some Western-donated long-range missile systems to strike deeper into Russia. On November 20, Russian military bloggers and a source cited by Reuters reported that Ukraine had fired up to 12 Franco-British Storm Shadow missiles into Russia's Kursk region, part of which has been under Ukrainian control following a surprise incursion by Ukrainian troops in August. A spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to confirm whether the missiles had been used. Previously, London had given permission to use the Storm Shadows, which have a 250-kilometer range, within Ukraine's territory. Earlier this week, Ukraine reportedly used ATACMS to strike a military facility in Russia's Bryansk region after Biden was reported as giving his OK. The White House has not officially confirmed the approval and Ukraine hasn't directly acknowledged the use of ATACMS on Russian targets. Russia has long warned that Ukraine's use Western-supplied long-range weapons to strike inside its territory would mark a serious escalation of the conflict. On November 21, Moscow said a new U.S. missile defence base in the Polish town of Redzikowo near the Baltic coast, which was opened on November 13 as part of a broader NATO missile shield, will lead to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger. "This is another frankly provocative step in a series of deeply destabilising actions by the Americans and their allies in the North Atlantic alliance in the strategic sphere," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. "This leads to undermining strategic stability, increasing strategic risks and, as a result, to an increase in the overall level of nuclear danger," Zakharova said. Poland rejected the claim, saying there were no nuclear missiles at the base. "It is a base that serves the purpose of defense, not attack," Foreign Ministry spokesman Pawel Wronski said on November 21. At least 38 people were killed and more than 40 wounded after gunmen opened fire on a convoy of cars carrying Shi'ite Muslims in northwest Pakistan as religious tension in the region rises. Three women and a child were among those killed in the November 21 attack, police told RFE/RL's Radio Mashaal. The convoy of 200 cars was heading from Peshawar to Parachinar in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province near the border with Afghanistan when the unknown gunmen attacked. No one has taken responsibility for the attack, the latest in a series of deadly confrontations in the Kurram region. Police, who were escorting the cars, said the death toll could climb. There were about 700 people in the convoy, according to law enforcement. Tension in Kurram began to heat up after 17 people were killed in an attack on a convoy on October 12. There have been about a handful of deadly attacks since then. Sunnis and Shi'a live together in Kurram and have clashed violently over land, forests, and other property as well as religion over the years, despite government and law enforcement efforts to build peace. Influential Ukrainian tycoon Dmytro Firtash is among eight people targeted by fresh British sanctions that accuse the group, which includes his wife, Lada, of large-scale, international corruption. Angolan-Russian billionaire Isabel dos Santos and Latvian politician and businessman Aivars Lembergs are also among those hit by the new sanctions announced on November 21. The British government accuses Firtash of bribing officials to secure mining licenses for his companies and profiting illegally from Ukraine's gas-transportation system. Firtash is also linked to financier Denys Horbunenko, a resident of the United Kingdom who was added to the sanctions list on November 21 for his association with Firtash. Firtash has faced legal scrutiny in Ukraine over embezzlement and money-laundering accusations involving fraudulent gas-trading schemes. The United States has been seeking his extradition from Austria on charges of bribing Indian officials. Firtash, who gained prominence in the 2000s through his joint venture RosUkrEnergo with Russian energy giant Gazprom, has denied allegations of working in Russia's interests. Dos Santos, daughter of former Angolan President Jose Eduardo dos Santos, is Africa's first female billionaire. She is accused of corruption in Angola, where she allegedly exploited her political connections for personal gain. Dos Santos claims she has held Russian citizenship since birth, as she was born in Baku, Azerbaijan, in 1973 under the former Soviet Union. Lembergs, a former populist mayor of the Latvian city of Ventspils, has been convicted in Latvia of corruption and sentenced to five years in prison. He claims the charges against him are politically motivated. The sanctions are part of a British efforts to combat international corruption and disrupt the financial networks of individuals accused of abusing their power for personal enrichment. The measures include asset freezes, travel bans, and restricting these individuals from accessing the U.K.'s financial system or entering the country. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Muhammad Deif, a military commander in the Iran-backed group Hamas, alleging they committed crimes against humanity in the ongoing Gaza war. All three are accused of committing war crimes connected to the October 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, an EU- and U.S-designated terrorist organization that is part of Tehran's network of proxies in the Middle East, and Israel's subsequent military intervention in the Gaza Strip. Iran's backing of Hamas and Hezbollah, another Iran-supported militant group and political party that controls much of the southern part of Israel's neighbor, Lebanon, has sparked fears that the war in the Gaza Strip will engulf the Middle East. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States, while the European Union blacklists its armed wing but not its political party. Hezbollah’s political party has seats in the Lebanese parliament. The court said the warrants had been classified as "secret" to protect witnesses and to safeguard the conduct of the investigations. Israel, which claims it killed Deif in July, blasted the move as "a dark moment for the ICC." Hamas, which has never officially acknowledged Deif's death, called the warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant an "important step toward justice." The ICC said it had issued the arrest warrant for Deif as the prosecutor had not been able to determine whether he was dead. His warrant shows charges of mass killings during the October 7 attack on Israel that left some 1,200 dead, as well as charges of rape and the taking of around 240 hostages in the attack. "The Chamber considered that there are reasonable grounds to believe that both [Israeli] individuals intentionally and knowingly deprived the civilian population in Gaza of objects indispensable to their survival, including food, water, and medicine and medical supplies, as well as fuel and electricity, from at least 8 October 2023 to 20 May 2024," the ICC said in a statement . "This finding is based on the role of Mr. Netanyahu and Mr. Gallant in impeding humanitarian aid in violation of international humanitarian law and their failure to facilitate relief by all means at its disposal," it said. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar called the move against Netanyahu and Gallant "absurd" in a post on X, saying it was an attack of Israel's right to self-defense. "A dark moment for the ICC in The Hague, in which it lost all legitimacy for its existence and activity," Sa'ar said. Tehran has yet to comment publicly on the warrants. Neither the United States nor Israel have recognized the ICC's jurisdiction. A U.S. National Security Council spokesperson said Washington "fundamentally rejects" the issuance of the arrest warrants and "the troubling process errors that led to this decision. Meanwhile, the EU's top diplomat, Josep Borrell, said in a post on X that ICC decisions "are binding on all states party to the Rome Statute, which includes all EU Member States." The court said Israel's acceptance of the court's jurisdiction was not required. However, the court itself has no law enforcement levers to enforce warrants and relies on cooperation from its member states. Russian police have conducted searches at the PERMM Museum of Contemporary Art in the city of Perm, as well as at the home of its current director, in connection with a case against former director Marat Gelman , REN-TV reported, citing anonymous sources. The PERMM Museum announced on social media that it would remain closed until 3 p.m. local time due to "technical reasons." Gelman, a well-known art dealer who currently lives in Montenegro, where he owns an art gallery, was placed on Russia’s federal wanted list in December 2022 under a criminal charge, though details of the accusation remain unclear. In an interview with Current Time, Gelman suggested that the charges might be in connection with him "discrediting" the Russian military, a common pretext used against critics of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. Gelman has been a vocal member of the Anti-War Committee and a member of the Permanent Committee of the Free Russia Forum. He has repeatedly expressed his support for Ukraine and his opposition to Russia's war efforts. The raid in Perm is part of a broader pattern of increasing pressure on Gelman. In the past week, he was added to Russia's list of "terrorists and extremists," with a designation indicating an ongoing criminal case against him. Critics argue this move is part of a crackdown on anti-war activists and dissenting voices within and beyond Russia. The Higher Public Prosecutor's Office in Novi Sad announced on November 21 that 11 people were arrested after being found responsible for the deadly collapse of a concrete canopy at the railway station in Serbia's second-largest city. The huge canopy collapsed on November 1, killing 15 people and seriously injuring another two. The accident occurred after the railway station, built in 1964, had been renovated twice in recent years by a consortium of four companies -- China Railway International and China Communications Construction, France's Egis, and Hungary's Utiber. Among those arrested are former Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Minister Goran Vesic, and the ex-director of Railway Infrastructure, Jelena Tanaskovic. They face charges of committing criminal acts against public security, endangering the public, and irregular construction work, the prosecutor said in a statement, adding that they faced up to 12 years in prison. The arrests came after public protests that turned violent demanded the punishment of those responsible amid accusations of corruption that resulted in substandard renovation work on the railway station. In a message on X, Vesic wrote that he had not been arrested, but had "voluntarily responded to the call of the police officers" and "made himself available to police authorities." Vesic, an official from the ruling Serbian Progressive Party, resigned after the accident on November 4 but said he did not accept blame for the accident. Tomislav Momirovic, who headed the Construction, Transport, and Infrastructure Ministry from 2020 to 2022, submitted his resignation as trade minister on November 20. The same day, Tanaskovic resigned as head of Serbian Railway Infrastructure. Opposition politicians have voiced scepticism about the arrests and demanded that the case be handed over to organized-crime prosecutors.
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