US Federal authorities conducted raids on Saturday in the banking hub of Charlotte, North Carolina, the Department of Homeland Security said, expanding its crackdown on illegal immigration to the U.S. South. “We are surging DHS law enforcement to Charlotte to ensure Americans are safe and public safety threats are removed,” DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement. “There have been too many victims of criminal illegal aliens.” DHS, which oversees U.S. Customs and Border Protection, did not provide details on the operation, including how many law enforcement officers took part or the number of people detained. But the agency blamed North Carolina officials, saying their refusal to detain suspects sought by immigration authorities led to Saturday’s operation. DHS said North Carolina has not honored almost 1,400 “detainers” — requests by immigration officials to hold suspects for up to 48 hours beyond the time they would ordinarily be released. Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles, a Democrat, and city commissioners on Saturday urged people to seek help, including from the Charlotte and Mecklenburg County Police Department, which is not participating in the federal raids. “There are a number of organizations standing ready to assist individuals seeking legal guidance on immigration matters,” the city officials said in a statement. The raids caused fear and uncertainty in Charlotte because similar operations in other cities resulted in people without criminal records being detained, they said. Local leaders earlier this week said they were informed that a CBP operation would start on Saturday. U.S. Representative Alma Adams, a Democrat, said on Thursday she was “extremely concerned” about Border Patrol and ICE personnel coming to Charlotte. “Charlotte’s immigrant community is a proud part of the Queen City, and I will not stand by and watch my constituents be intimidated or harassed,” Adams posted on X. Gregory Bovino, a U.S. Border Patrol official who has led Trump’s aggressive crackdown in Chicago since September, responded to Adams that she and North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, “should learn the difference between an illegal alien &amp; an immigrant.” Since President Donald Trump, a Republican, took office, ICE has dramatically increased its detainer requests, which rose to a daily average of 700 through early June, from an average of about 400 a day during the same time period last year, according to a Reuters analysis of ICE data collected by UC Berkeley’s Deportation Data Project. Trump has focused on ramping up immigration arrests in Democratic-led cities, with major pushes in recent months in Chicago, Los Angeles and Washington. Border Patrol agents in Chicago have helped increase immigration arrests, but protesters and some residents say they have used excessive force, including deploying tear gas in busy urban areas. A Chicago-based federal judge barred immigration agents from using some aggressive tactics and ordered them to wear body cameras after videos cited in a lawsuit showed violent clashes with protesters. Source: Reuters

US immigration raids begin in Charlotte, North Carolina

Violent weather brought on by Storm Claudia killed three people and injured dozens in Portugal, authorities there said on Saturday, while in Britain rescue workers were organising evacuations due to heavy flooding in Wales and England. Portugal and parts of neighbouring Spain have faced days of extreme conditions brought on by Storm Claudia, which had reached parts of Britain and Ireland by Saturday. Rescue workers found the bodies of an elderly couple inside their flooded home in Fernao Ferro, across the River Tagus from Lisbon, on Thursday. They had apparently been sleeping and were unable to flee as the water rose during the night. On Saturday, a tornado struck Albufeira in southern Portugal, emergency services said. Footage shot from a distance that was posted online showed the tornado damaging and destroying caravans at a camping area, where regional civil protection commander Vitor Vaz Pinto said an 85-year-old British woman was killed. Twenty-eight people were injured at a nearby hotel, he said, adding that two of them were in hospital with serious injuries. In a statement on Saturday, Portugal’s President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa expressed “his solidarity with the family of the victim who died” in Albufeira and wished a speedy recovery to those injured. Portuguese weather service IPMA placed the entire Algarve and districts of Beja and Setubal on amber alert, its second-highest alert level. STORM CLAUDIA CAUSES FLOODING IN WALES, ENGLAND In Britain, severe flooding hit the town of Monmouth and surrounding areas in southeastern Wales on Saturday. South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said it was conducting rescues, evacuations, and welfare checks. “Storm Claudia has caused significant flooding in parts of Wales overnight, which continues to affect homes, businesses, transport and energy infrastructure,” a spokesperson for the Welsh government said. Aerial footage showed widespread flooding in Monmouth, with water inundating the town centre and residential areas after a nearby river burst its banks overnight. Natural Resources Wales has issued 11 flood warnings, four of which are severe, as well as 17 flood alerts. In England, according to the Environment Agency’s latest update, there were 49 active flood warnings and 134 flood alerts. Source: Reuters

Storm Claudia kills three in Portugal, causes flooding in Britain

People granted asylum in the UK will have to wait 20 years before they can apply to settle permanently, under plans due to be announced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood on Monday. The major shake-up to asylum policy comes as the government seeks to reduce small boat crossings and asylum claims. Under the plans, people who are granted asylum will only be allowed to stay in the UK temporarily, with their refugee status regularly reviewed and those whose home countries are then deemed safe told to return. Currently refugee status lasts for five years, after which people can apply for indefinite leave to remain. Now the home secretary wants to cut the initial period from five years to two-and-a-half years, after which refugee status will be regularly reviewed. But she plans to significantly lengthen the time it will take to gain permanent residence in the UK from five years to 20. Mahmood told the Sunday Times the reforms were “designed to essentially say to people: do not come to this country as an illegal migrant, do not get on a boat”. She continued: “Illegal migration is tearing our country apart”, adding that it was the government’s job to “unite our country”. “If we don’t sort this out, I think our country becomes much more divided,” she told the newspaper. The policy has been copied from Denmark, where a government led by the centre-left Social Democrats has presided over one of the toughest asylum and immigration systems in Europe. In Denmark, refugees are given temporary residence permits, typically of two years, and in effect have to re-apply for asylum when they expire. And Mahmood’s new approach will certainly face opposition from some Labour MPs. Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Max Wilkinson said it was “right the government looks at new ways to fix the disorderly asylum system created by the Conservatives”. He added that Labour “shouldn’t kid itself that these measures are an alternative to processing claims quickly so we can remove those with no right to be here”. Enver Solomon, chief executive at the Refugee Council, described the government’s plans as “harsh and unnecessary”, and said they “won’t deter people who have been persecuted, tortured or seen family members killed in brutal wars”. Source: BBC

Refugees to face 20-year wait to settle permanently in UK under asylum reforms

A landslide after heavy rains in Central Java killed 11 people, Indonesia’s disaster management agency said on Saturday, adding that rescuers were searching for a dozen who are still missing. The landslide in the city of Cilacap on Thursday buried a dozen houses in Cibeunying village, Antara previously reported the agency as saying, adding that the rescue was challenging as people were buried 3 to 8 metres (10-25 feet) deep. “Eleven people have been found dead, three yesterday and eight more today. Twelve people are still missing,” the agency’s spokesperson Abdul Muhari told Reuters. The Southeast Asian country’s wet season started in September and will last until April, the weather agency says, bringing a higher risk of floods and extreme rainfall. Another landslide in January triggered by torrential rain in the Central Java city of Pekalongan killed at least 25 people. Source: Reuters

Indonesia landslide kills 11 in Central Java, official says 12 missing

The Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel group signed on Saturday a framework agreement for a peace deal aimed at ending fighting in eastern Congo that has killed thousands of people and displaced hundreds of thousands more this year. The agreement was signed by representatives from both sides at a ceremony in the Qatari capital Doha. It was the latest of several documents that have been signed in recent months as part of efforts, backed by the United States and Qatar, to end the decades-long conflict in Congo that has often threatened to escalate into a full-blown regional war. The framework was described by U.S. and Qatari officials as an important step to peace but one of many that lie ahead. MANY DETAILS REMAIN TO BE WORKED OUT The top U.S. envoy to the region, Massad Boulos told Reuters the framework covered eight protocols, and that work still needed to be done to agree on how to implement six of them. Boulos also acknowledged that implementing the first two protocols concerning the exchange of prisoners and the monitoring of a ceasefire, agreed in recent months, had been slow. “Yes, they were a little bit slow in the first few weeks,” he told reporters after the signing. “Yes, people were expecting to see probably some immediate results on the ground, but this is a process... This is not a light switch that you just switch on and off.” M23, in the latest of a string of actions supported by neighbouring Rwanda, seized Goma, eastern Congo’s largest city, in January and went on to make gains across North Kivu and South Kivu provinces. Rwanda has long denied allegations that it has helped M23, which has seized more territory in Congo than it has ever previously held. CONFLICT CONTINUES IN CONGO AS TALKS FORGE AHEAD In Congo, the violence has continued through the various diplomatic processes in Washington and Doha. On Friday, local officials reported as many as 28 people killed by Islamic State-allied militants in eastern North Kivu province. Qatar has hosted multiple rounds of direct talks between the Congo government and the rebels going back to April, but they have dealt largely with preconditions and confidence-building measures. The two sides agreed in July to a declaration of principles that left many key issues at the root of the conflict unresolved, and in October they reached a deal on the monitoring of an eventual ceasefire. Qatar’s Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Mohammed bin Abdulaziz Al-Khulaifi said Saturday’s agreement set the parties on the path towards peace. “Peace cannot be enforced by force, but is built through confidence, mutual respect and sincere commitment,” he said. Source: Reuters

Congo, M23 sign framework for peace in Qatar, more steps needed

Lebanon said on Saturday (Nov 15) it will file a complaint to the UN Security Council over Israel’s construction of a concrete wall along the southern border that Beirut says extends beyond the UN-mapped Blue Line. The Blue Line marks the boundary separating Lebanon from Israel and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. Israeli forces withdrew to this line when they exited southern Lebanon in 2000. The Lebanese presidency said the ongoing construction infringes on Lebanon’s sovereignty and violates UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 war between Israel and Hezbollah. UN CONCERNS OVER TERRITORY ACCESS UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said on Friday that the wall has rendered more than 4,000 sq m of Lebanese land inaccessible to residents, and that the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) has requested its removal. An Israeli military spokesperson rejected the allegation that the wall crosses the Blue Line, saying it is part of a broader defensive plan that began in 2022. The military said Israel has reinforced northern border defences since the current war began. UNIFIL, which patrols the area between the Litani River and the Blue Line, has more than 10,000 troops from 50 countries and about 800 civilian staff, according to the mission. Source: Reuters

Lebanon to file UN complaint over Israeli border wall

The popular Labubu dolls that have ignited a global frenzy may light up movie screens in the future, the Hollywood Reporter said on Friday. Sony Pictures closed a deal this week to develop a movie based on the toothy monsters, the media outlet reported. The film is in the early stages of development and it has not yet been decided whether it will be live action or animation. Sony had no comment. Labubus, sold by China’s Pop Mart, became a phenomenon this year. They were carried by celebrities including Rihanna and singer Lisa from South Korean group Blackpink. Shoppers lined up to buy the dolls in “blind boxes” that keep the exact model secret until opened. Sony has produced the “Jumanji” movies as well as animated Netflix hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” Source: Reuters

Labubu movie in the works for the big screen, report says

Google’s YouTube and Walt Disney said on Friday they had reached an agreement to restore Disney-owned networks to YouTube TV, after a fee dispute left millions of subscribers without access to U.S. Election Day programming and major live sports events. The full line-up of Disney channels including ABC, ESPN, FX and National Geographic will return to YouTube TV from Friday, the companies said in separate statements. Additionally, ESPN’s full line-up of sports, including content from ESPN Unlimited, will be available to base-plan subscribers at no additional cost by the end of 2026, according to YouTube. The dispute, centered around carriage fees, or the per-subscriber rates distributors pay to carry broadcast and cable networks, had caused Disney’s channels to go dark on October 30 on one of the largest pay-TV services in the U.S. Walt Disney did not immediately respond to a query about the financial terms of the deal. YouTube said it was not disclosing the deal’s terms. CNBC reported last week that Disney sought rates comparable to those paid by major distributors, including around $10 a subscriber per month for ESPN. YouTube TV’s rapid growth as a pay-TV platform, combined with Google’s vast financial resources, gives it greater negotiating leverage with media companies and allows it to operate with less short-term financial pressure than traditional providers. The service has been locked in negotiations and carriage disputes with major media firms that were threatening to pull their networks from the platform. Walt Disney CEO Bob Iger said on Thursday his company had proposed a deal “equal to or better than what other large distributors have already agreed to,” referring to talks with YouTube TV over the dispute. Prospects of a prolonged fight over the distribution of Walt Disney’s television networks had worried investors about the outlook for its already declining TV business. Walt Disney missed quarterly revenue expectations as its cable TV weakness overshadowed strong growth in the company’s streaming and parks businesses. MISSING KEY EVENTS Sports programming was among the casualties of the dispute, with YouTube TV users unable to watch the November 3 “Monday Night Football” game between the Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys.&nbsp; Disney asked YouTube TV to restore ABC for U.S. Election Day coverage on November 4, citing public interest, but the streaming service rejected the proposal, saying a one-day return would confuse customers. YouTube said last month Disney used the “threat of a blackout” as a negotiating tactic to force deal terms that would raise prices for its customers. Walt Disney said YouTube TV was “demanding preferential treatment with lower rates and rejecting terms accepted by other partners, including Disney’s own services like Hulu + Live TV and Fubo.” The affected Disney networks included FX, National Geographic, Nat Geo Wild, Disney Channel, and ABC News Live. YouTube TV had said it would offer its pay-TV subscribers a $20 credit if the Disney networks remained unavailable on the platform for an extended period of time. After a challenging negotiation period, YouTube TV struck a deal with Comcast-owned&nbsp;NBCUniversal to keep NBC shows such as “Sunday Night Football” and “America’s Got Talent” on the platform. Earlier in the year, YouTube TV successfully concluded similarly difficult negotiations with Fox and Paramount, securing continued access to those networks despite initial disputes. Source: Reuters&nbsp;

Disney and YouTube TV reach deal ending weeks of disruption

The National Police Commission (NPC) has implemented several transfers and appointments involving high-ranking officers. Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police (SDIG) Sanjeewa Dharmaratne moved from Western Province to Police Administration, swapping posts with SDIG S.C. Medawatte, who now heads the Western Province. SDIG Ranmal Kodituwakku will now cover the Bureau for the Prevention of Abuse of Children and Women.&nbsp; SDIG T.C.A. Dhanapala was moved to North Central Province, while SDIG G.M.H.B. Siriwardena was assigned to Northern Province. DIG N.L.C. Sampath Kumara was appointed to the Police Special Task Force (STF).&nbsp; SDIG Lalith Pathinayake was removed from the acting Police Administration role pending disciplinary action but remains in charge of Central Province.

US immigration raids begin in Charlotte, North Carolina

Storm Claudia kills three in Portugal, causes flooding in Britain

Storm Claudia kills three in P ...

Refugees to face 20-year wait to settle permanently in UK under asylum ...

Refugees to face 20-year wait ...

Indonesia landslide kills 11 in Central Java, official says 12 missing

Indonesia landslide kills 11 i ...

Congo, M23 sign framework for peace in Qatar, more steps needed

Congo, M23 sign framework for ...

Lebanon to file UN complaint over Israeli border wall

Lebanon to file UN complaint o ...

Labubu movie in the works for the big screen, report says

Labubu movie in the works for ...

Disney and YouTube TV reach deal ending weeks of disruption

Disney and YouTube TV reach de ...

High-ranking police officers transferred by NPC

High-ranking police officers t ...

Storm Claudia kills three in Portugal, causes flooding in Britain

Storm Claudia kills three in P ...

Refugees to face 20-year wait to settle permanently in UK under asylum ...

Refugees to face 20-year wait ...

Indonesia landslide kills 11 in Central Java, official says 12 missing

Indonesia landslide kills 11 i ...

Congo, M23 sign framework for peace in Qatar, more steps needed

Congo, M23 sign framework for ...

Lebanon to file UN complaint over Israeli border wall

Lebanon to file UN complaint o ...

Labubu movie in the works for the big screen, report says

Labubu movie in the works for ...

Disney and YouTube TV reach deal ending weeks of disruption

Disney and YouTube TV reach de ...

High-ranking police officers transferred by NPC

High-ranking police officers t ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Storm Claudia kills three in Portugal, causes flooding in Britain

Storm Claudia kills three in P ...

Refugees to face 20-year wait to settle permanently in UK under asylum ...

Refugees to face 20-year wait ...

Bringing the news paper to your fingertips

Indonesia landslide kills 11 in Central Java, official says 12 missing

Indonesia landslide kills 11 i ...

Congo, M23 sign framework for peace in Qatar, more steps needed

Congo, M23 sign framework for ...

Lebanon to file UN complaint over Israeli border wall

Lebanon to file UN complaint o ...

Labubu movie in the works for the big screen, report says

Labubu movie in the works for ...