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France condemns the US visa ban on Breton, former EU commissioner
The French government has condemned the visa ban imposed on Thierry Breton by the 'Trump Administration on Wednesday. He is a former European Union Commissioner who was instrumental in drafting?the EU Digital Services Act. This act recently targeted top -U.S. ?tech companies. The Trump administration imposed visa restrictions on Breton, and other anti-disinformation activists who were accused of censoring U.S. platforms on social media. This is the latest in a series of actions aimed at European regulations that U.S. officials claim go beyond legitimate regulation. Jean-Noel Barrot, French Foreign Minister, wrote on X Wednesday that "France strongly condemned the 'visa restriction' imposed by the United States against Thierry Breton - former minister and European commissioner - and four other European figures". ELON MUSK'S X FINED OFF BY? Breton was the most prominent target. He is a former French Finance Minister and European Commissioner for the Internal Market from 2019-2024. Breton has been replaced as the EU's internal market representative by Stephane Sejourne. He is also the executive vice president of the EU Commission. Sejourne also criticized the U.S. Visa Ban and defended EU's Digital Services Act. "No sanction can silence the sovereignty and the peoples of Europe." Sejourne wrote on X: "Total solidarity with him and the Europeans affected by this." U.S. When describing the bans Tuesday, Under Secretary of?Public diplomacy Sarah Rogers described Breton, as a "mastermind", of the Digital Services Act. This was defended again by?Barrot, on Wednesday. The EU fined Elon Musk’s X Platform 120 million Euros for violating the rules governing online content. The Digital Services Act has been democratically adopted by Europe in order to ensure that what's illegal offline is illegal online. Barrot wrote on X that the Digital Services Act has no extraterritorial impact and does not affect the United States. Breton condemned himself the visa ban against him. "Is McCarthy’s witch-hunt back?" Remember: 90% of our democratically-elected European Parliament and all 27 Member States voted unanimously for the DSA. Breton wrote on X: "Censorship doesn't exist where you think it does." Reporting by Sudip K. Gupta, Editing by Michael Perry & Alex Richardson
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Bangladeshi leader expected to be next Prime Minister returning from exile before polls
The Bangladesh Nationalist Party wants to gather 5 million supporters on Thursday to welcome Tarique Rahman, its leader who has spent nearly 17 years in exile. This is a sign of strength for him as he becomes a strong contender for the position of 'prime minister' at the February elections. Rahman, 60 years old, is the son ailing former prime minister Khaleda zia. He is also the acting chairman of the political party widely expected to win the parliamentary election set for February 12th. He returns from London as the BNP, his arch-foe, is on the rise following the overthrow of Sheikh Hasina last year in a student led uprising. Since 1991, Khaleda zia and Sheikh Hasina alternated as Prime Ministers. According to a December survey conducted by the U.S.-based International Republican Institute, the BNP is on track to win the most parliamentary seats. The islamist Jamaat-e-Islami Party also has a chance of winning. Hasina's Awami league party, which has been banned from the elections, has threatened unrest, which some fear will jeopardize voting. Rahman's return to his homeland is a result of both personal and political circumstances. His mother has been seriously ill since months. This prompted what party insiders call an urgent return home. BNP: 'DEFINING a political moment' BNP leaders have said they are preparing what 'they call an 'unprecedented' gathering in the capital. They aim to attract more than 5 million supporters from the airport along the route to the reception venue. Ruhulkabir Rizvi, a senior BNP leader, said that this will be a momentous political moment. He added that the security arrangements were closely coordinated with the authorities to maintain order. Rahman, who was convicted of multiple crimes in his home country including money laundering and a plot against Hasina in 2008, has been living in London ever since. After Hasina was removed, he was acquitted from all charges, which cleared the legal obstacles that had prevented his return. BNP officials confirmed that he would travel directly from airport to reception venue, before visiting his mother. THE YOUTH PARTY WELCOMES HER RETURN Rahman's return coincides with the?sensitive electoral period that South Asia, a nation of 175 million people dominated by Muslims, is entering under an interim government headed by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. This vote is seen as vital to restore political stability following nearly two years' turmoil. The country is at a crossroads. Rahman's return will test the BNP's capacity to mobilise in a peaceful manner, and the interim administration's commitment to deliver a credible power transfer. The government has promised a peaceful and free election. However, recent attacks against media outlets and other sporadic violence raises concerns about law enforcement. The National Citizen Party, which was formed by the youth protesters who toppled Hasina's government, has said that it is pleased with Rahman's return. Khan Muhammad Mursalin is a spokesperson for the NCP. He said that "Tarique was forced to exile due to severe pressures and threats. His homecoming has symbolic value." His arrival will undoubtedly energize the party leaders and supporters... On his path to democracy, he will have our support. Ruma Paul, YPrajesh, and Peter Graff edited the article.
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Turkey claims electrical failure was reported before Libyan military plane crash
Turkey's director of communications said that the private jet carrying Libya's chief of staff requested an emergency landing before it crashed near Ankara. Burhanettin Duran said that the Dassault Falcon 50 jet left Ankara’s Esenboga Airport on Tuesday at 1717 GMT en route for Tripoli. At 1733 GMT, it notified air traffic control about an?emergency due to an electrical malfunction'. According to Libyan and Turkish officials, eight people, including three members of the crew, died in the crash. The aircraft was redirected back to Esenboga Airport and emergency measures were taken. However, the jet vanished?from radar? at 1736 GMT while it was descending for landing, he stated. Ali Yerlikaya, Turkish Interior Minister, said earlier that the aircraft requested a landing emergency while flying over Ankara’s Haymana District. He added that the wreckage later was found near Kesikkavak Village in the area. Duran stated that search and rescue teams had reached the crash scene after operations launched by the Turkish Interior Ministry. Investigations into the cause of the crash were ongoing with all relevant authorities. The internationally recognized?government of Libya has confirmed that the dead include the country's 'army chief of Staff, Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad', as well as four members of the 'entourage'. Libyan officials said that the jet had been leased and registered on Malta. They added that the ownership and technical history of the aircraft would be investigated as part the investigation. (Reporting and editing by Thomas Derpinghaus; Ece Toksabay)
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Wall Street Journal, December 24,
These are the most popular stories from the Wall Street Journal. The Wall Street Journal has not confirmed these stories and does not guarantee their accuracy. BP is close to selling a majority of its Castrol lubricants division to Stonepeak, valuing the entire business at $10 billion (including debt). ServiceNow, a leading enterprise software company, has announced that it will buy cybersecurity startup Armis for $7.75 billion cash. The move is part of an effort to attract new customers in the face of increasing cyberattack risks. General?Motors, the federal auto safety regulators and other agencies are investigating an airbag that exploded on a pickup truck that was recalled but not repaired. Alphabet’s Waymo unit said it would expand?first responder involvement, improve its emergency responses protocols, and roll out updated to allow its vehicles to navigate more decisively at intersections,?following instances of stalled Waymo roboticaxis following a San Francisco?power?outage. The estate of Texas billionaire Robert Brockman, a Texas-based tech executive who is regarded as the most successful tax evader in U.S. History, has agreed to settle a lawsuit by paying $750 million in back taxes and penalty to settle what federal prosecutors have called the biggest tax evasion case ever in U.S.history. (Compiled by Bengaluru Newsroom)
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Malaysia's Petronas signs a LNG supply agreement with China's CNOOC
Petroliam Nasional, the Malaysian state-owned energy company On Wednesday,?it said that it would supply Chinese offshore oil company CNOOC 1 million metric tonnes of?liquefied gas (LNG) per year. Petronas stated in a press release that the agreement between Petronas 'LNG and CNOOC Gas and Power Singapore 'Trading & Marketing' builds on existing cooperation between both?companies. Petronas will sign a 10-year contract for LNG supply with a CNOOC subsidiary in?2021. The deal is valued at $7 billion. CNOOC and Petronas have not responded to our requests for details, including the duration of the deal. Petronas and Canadian oil company Pembina Pipeline signed a similar agreement in November to supply 1,000,000 tons of LNG per year for the next 20 years. The deal was a result of its Cedar LNG Project. (Reporting by Sneha Kumar in Bengaluru; Editing by Subhranshu Sahu)
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Onley, a Scottish cyclist, signs with INEOS Grenadiers
The British team announced on Tuesday that Scottish rider Oscar Onley would join INEOS Grenadiers at the start of the?2026 season, after he had agreed to a transfer from Dutch outfit Picnic 'PostNL. The Kelso 23-year old has been one of the brightest cycling talents since turning pro at 19. He underlined his potential with a 4th-place finish in this year's tour de France, the youngest rider among the top 10. Onley stated in a press release that he was "proud" to join the Grenadiers for a long time. It will also be a British team that races when the Tour de France departs Scotland in 2027." Onley thanked PicnicPostNL for its support and said he would "miss" his friends from the team. He was also proud of what they had achieved together. Thomas, Director of Racing at INEOS Grenadiers, praised?Onley for his maturity and racing craft. Oscar's performance in 2025 was incredible. Thomas, who won Tour de France 2018 said that the way he rides and comprehends a race is beyond his years. He's a real racer. (Reporting and editing by Hugh Lawson; Martyn Herman)
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TankerTrackers.com reports that a loaded supertanker returned to Venezuelan waters after US interceptions.
The very large crude carrier Kelly (flagged by Panama) - which had departed Venezuela last week with oil - has returned to Venezuelan water 'following the U.S. Monitoring service TankerTrackers.com reported on Tuesday that more tankers were intercepted. The U.S. Coast Guard intercepted a Panama flagged tanker Centuries on Saturday, which was carrying 1.9 million barrels?Venezuelan Merey?heavy crude. It is also pursuing a separate?vessel on its way to OPEC -country. Sources say that Centuries and Kelly left almost simultaneously last week escorted on by Venezuelan navy vessels. Kelly is back fully loaded in Venezuelan waters, near the Amuay Port of state-run PDVSA. This was reported by TankerTrackers.com. After the U.S. seize the supertanker?Skipper?earlier in the month, and two additional vessels at the weekend, more than a dozen vessels with cargo are waiting for new instructions from their owners. Last week, U.S. president Donald Trump announced a "blockade", which would apply to all vessels that were under sanctions and entered or left Venezuela. This was done in an effort to increase pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Guyana's maritime authorities said in a statement this month that one of the vessels was flying a "false Guyanese" flag. Panama's Foreign Affairs Minister said that certain tankers targeted by the United States did not adhere to Panama's maritime laws. (Reporting and editing by Marianna Pararaga, Nathan Crooks, and Jamie Freed).
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Turkey reports that a jet carrying the Libyan army chief lost a signal over Ankara.
The radio?contact with a jet carrying Libyan?army chief-of-staff,?Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad was lost shortly after takeoff, according to Turkish Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, on Tuesday. Yerlikaya stated on the social media platform 'X' that radio contact had been lost at 1752 h GMT. The jet took off at 1710 h GMT. He claimed that the plane had requested an emergency landing while flying over the Haymana district in Ankara. However, no contact was made after. He added that four other passengers were aboard the jet. Flight tracking data revealed that other flights had been diverted from Ankara’s Esenboga Airport. The Turkish defence ministry announced earlier that the Libyan chief-of-staff had visited Turkey, saying he met with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler and his Turkish counterpart Selcuk Berktaroglu along?with a number of Turkish military leaders. The Turkish broadcasters showed footage of a flashing light near the spot where the jet had lost radio contact. No immediate comment was made by Libyan officials. Reporting by Tuvan Gümrukcu in Ankara and Ece Tksabay; editing by Chizu Nomiyama, Matthew Lewis
Turkish official: Libyan army chief of staff died in plane crash near Ankara, after fault reported by Turkish official
An official in Turkey said that a private 'jet' which crashed overnight and killed the chief of staff for Libyan army and seven other people on board had reported an electrical problem and requested an emergency land shortly before losing contact.
Burhanettin Duran, head of the communications department, told reporters that the Dassault Falcon 50 jet informed air traffic controllers at?1733 GMT about an emergency due to an electrical failure.
The black box was found early Wednesday morning, according to the Turkish interior minister.
The internationally recognized government of Libya said that the dead included Mohammed Ali Ahmed Al-Haddad - army chief of Staff - and four members of his entourage. Libyan Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah described it as a "great national loss."
Turkish officials confirmed that three crew members also died.
A JET DISAPPEARED FROM RADAR WHILE LANDING
Duran stated that air traffic control redirected the plane back to Esenboga Airport, and emergency measures had been initiated. However, the jet vanished?from radar around 1736 GMT, while it was descending towards landing, and there was no contact.
The voice recorder and flight data recorder were found at 0245 and 0320 respectively. The analysis and examination of these devices has 'begun,' Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said to reporters at the crash scene near Ankara’s Haymana District.
Yerlikaya said earlier that the?aircraft requested an emergency landing when flying over Haymana.?Additionally, its wreckage has been found near Kesikkavak Village.
Duran stated that all authorities were continuing to investigate the cause of the accident.
Libyan officials said that the jet had been leased and registered on Malta. They also stated that the ownership and technical history of the aircraft would be investigated as part the investigation. (Reporting and editing by Thomas Derpinghaus, Bernadettebaum and Ece Toksabay)
(source: Reuters)