HSBC appoints Brendan Nelson as chair

hsbc-brendan-nelson-chair

Lead: HSBC has appointed Brendan Nelson as its new chair, the change announced publicly and reported by the Financial Times. The appointment marks a leadership shift at one of the world’s largest banks and is expected to influence governance and strategic oversight. HSBC said the board approved the selection; the Financial Times coverage provided the … Read more

Former Associate Sues Jada Pinkett Smith, Alleges Threat to ‘Catch a Bullet’ in $3M Complaint

jada-pinkett-smith-threat-bullet

Lead: A civil complaint filed in Los Angeles on Nov. 7 alleges that Jada Pinkett Smith threatened a former associate, Bilaal Salaam, saying he would ‘catch a bullet’ if he continued to disclose personal matters. Salaam, who describes himself as a long time friend and past assistant to Will Smith, seeks at least $3 million … Read more

No 10 says proposed Chinese mega-embassy in London could offer security benefits

chinese-mega-embassy-london-security

UK government spokespeople have argued that a single, consolidated Chinese embassy in London could provide security advantages, even as opponents warn the complex could become an intelligence hub. Officials confirmed the decision on planning permission has been postponed until 20 January 2026 to allow further consultation. If approved, the Royal Mint Court site would replace … Read more

Kremlin signals no Ukraine breakthrough after Putin talks with US

kremlin-putin-us-ukraine-talks

Lead Five hours of talks in Moscow on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and a US delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff — joined by Jared Kushner — failed to produce a peace agreement for Ukraine. The Kremlin described the meeting as “constructive” but said parts of the US-backed draft plan remain unacceptable … Read more

MH370 Search to Resume Dec. 30 After 11 Years

mh370-search-resume

Lead Malaysia announced on Dec. 30 that a renewed seabed search for Malaysia Airlines Flight 370 will begin on the same day, reopening hope for families more than 11 years after the Boeing 777 vanished on March 8, 2014. The government said U.S.-based Ocean Infinity will carry out intermittent deep-sea operations over a 55-day window … Read more

Ole Miss players dispute Lane Kiffin’s farewell claim

ole-miss-kiffin-farewell-claim

In early December 2025, several Ole Miss players publicly rejected Lane Kiffin’s account of his departure, disputing his claim that the team asked him to continue coaching for the Rebels’ College Football Playoff (CFP) appearance and that athletic director Keith Carter denied that request. The disagreement surfaced on social platform X days after Carter met … Read more

Pentagon: All National Guard Troops in Washington DC Now Armed

dc-national-guard-armed

Lead: On Tuesday, 2 December 2025, the Pentagon announced that every National Guard member deployed in Washington, D.C., has been issued live weapons and that many are conducting joint patrols with the Metropolitan Police. The move follows an ambush-style shooting last week near the White House that killed 20-year-old Guardswoman Sarah Beckstrom and critically wounded … Read more

Search for MH370 to Resume More Than 11 Years After Disappearance

mh370-search-resume-ocean-infinity

Lead Malaysia’s transport ministry announced on 3 December 2025 that a renewed seabed search for Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 will begin on 30 December, more than 11 years after the aircraft vanished. The US-based robotic search firm Ocean Infinity will carry out intermittently scheduled operations over a 55-day period, focusing on zones judged to have … Read more

Putin says Russia-US Ukraine talks end without breakthrough

putin-us-peace-talks-no-breakthrough

Lead: Five hours of talks in the Kremlin on Tuesday between Russian President Vladimir Putin and a U.S. delegation led by special envoy Steve Witkoff, joined by Jared Kushner, produced no breakthrough on a proposed Ukraine peace deal, a Kremlin aide said early Wednesday. Yuri Ushakov described the meeting as constructive and substantive but said … Read more

US pauses naturalization ceremonies for migrants from travel‑ban countries

us-pauses-naturalization-travel-ban

This week the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) ordered a hold on final decisions and naturalisation ceremonies for applicants connected to the 19 countries named in the White House travel restrictions announced on 4 June. The internal memo, seen by partner outlets, instructs immigration officers to suspend approvals, denials and oath events while related … Read more

China Services Activity Slows Again, Sign of Fragile Economy

china-services-pmi-slowdown

Lead Private survey data released on Wednesday, 3 December 2025, showed China’s services sector expanded at its slowest pace in five months. The RatingDog China services purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 52.1 in November, marking a third consecutive monthly slowdown. The print matched the median forecast of economists surveyed by Bloomberg and underscores softer … Read more

What to Know About Trump Accounts for Children and Eligibility After Dell Donation

trump-accounts-dell-donation

Lead On Dec. 2, 2025, Michael and Susan Dell announced a $6.25 billion gift intended to benefit roughly 25 million children by placing funds into the new “Trump accounts” created in this year’s tax legislation. The couple said they plan to move an initial $250 next year into the accounts of millions of children under … Read more

Sabrina Carpenter and Franklin the Turtle Clash with Trump Administration

carpenter-franklin-trump-tiff

Lead: The use of two familiar cultural properties by U.S. government social media has sparked public outcry and a publisher protest. On 1 December the White House posted a clip using Sabrina Carpenter’s song in an immigration-enforcement montage, and the U.S. Defence Department’s social media account shared a mock book cover showing Franklin the Turtle … Read more