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Alvin Ailey Celebrates Milestone Season as 1960’s Iconic ‘Revelations’ Continues to Captivate Modern Audiences (Exclusive)

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Alvin Ailey Celebrates Milestone Season as 1960’s Iconic ‘Revelations’ Continues to Captivate Modern Audiences (Exclusive)



NEED TO KNOW

  • The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater celebrated its Opening Night Gala on Dec. 3
  • The Christmas mainstay brought out many with an appreciation of dance, who wish to honor Ailey’s legacy
  • Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack tells PEOPLE about ushering in the next chapter for the theater, which continues to be rooted in Ailey’s performance style and beliefs

It’s a new and exciting chapter for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

On Dec. 3, the theater’s 2025-26 season kicked off with a festive Opening Night Gala, complete with a moving performance and rousing party, raising the curtain on AILEY’s next era under the leadership of Artistic Director Alicia Graf Mack, renowned dancer and educator.

Graf Mack shares her enthusiasm to step into the role with PEOPLE. “I have been staring at images of Judith Jamison since I was a child. She has always been my North Star, embodying everything I aspire to be,” she says.

Jamison, Artistic Director Emerita, passed away in Nov. 2024. Having worked side-by-side with Ailey himself, she served as a mentor and a “mother figure” to Graf Mack.

“How lucky I am to have learned directly from her leadership and to walk the path she created, one defined by integrity, grace, and an unwavering pursuit of excellence.”

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Alvin Ailey during a performance.

Jack Mitchell/Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution

“Tonight marks more than an opening night. It is a continuation of a dream that began 67 years ago in the heart and mind of one visionary man: Alvin Ailey,” Graf Mack said to attendees ahead of the performance.

“I am here to share our authentic identities, our stories, our beauty, our advocacy, and the rich diversity of movement languages that speak directly to the soul.”

The night’s performances included Blink of An Eye, A Case of You, Grace, and last but not least, Revelations.

The Gala honored Daria L. Wallach, chair of the AILEY Board of Trustees, for her visionary leadership, meaningful contributions, and invaluable commitment to AILEY and its legacy.

Colman Domingo served as Honorary Chair alongside Ciara, who also appeared as Honored Guest to introduce the inspiring finale of Alvin Ailey’s Revelations with a soul-stirring choir.

Alvin Ailey, Carmen de Lavallade and Company in Alvin Ailey’s “Blues Suite”.

Jack Mitchell/Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Inc. and Smithsonian Institution

Ailey is credited with popularizing modern dance and bringing African Americans to the forefront of dance in the 20th century. That same night, he was remembered as an honoree in the inaugural Dance Hall of Fame ceremony. Mikhail Baryshnikov, Stephen ‘tWitch’ Boss, Misty Copeland, Bob Fosse, Martha Graham, Gene Kelly, Kenny Ortega, Jerome Robbins and Twyla Tharp were also honored at that event, which took place at Los Angeles’ Glorya Kaufman Performing Arts Center.

The unforgettable dancer died from complications of AIDS/HIV in 1989; later, President Barack Obama awarded him with a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom.

He formed his own dance group, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in 1958 which was inspired by his mentor Lester Horton.

From there, Ailey created his most recognized piece of choreography, Revelations. A decade after founding the dance company, he founded his dance school.



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Philippines says China coast guard damages fishing vessels – DW – 12/13/2025

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Philippines says China coast guard damages fishing vessels – DW – 12/13/2025


Three Filipino fishermen were injured and two fishing boats suffered “significant damage” after Chinese coast guard vessels fired water cannon at them and cut anchor lines, Philippine authorities said Saturday.

The incident, which involved some 20 Philippine fishing boats, occurred on Friday near the Sabina Shoal, a fish-rich area in the South China Sea. 

Beijing claims the South China Sea almost in its entirety in the face of an international ruling that the assertion is legally unfounded.

What was said about the Sabina Shoal incident?

The fishermen were “were targeted with water cannon and dangerous blocking maneuvers,” a Philippine coast guard spokesman said in a statement Saturday.

“Three fishermen sustained physical injuries, including bruises and open wounds. Two [Filipino fishing boats] also suffered significant damage from high-pressure water cannon blasts,” the spokesman, Commodore Jay Tarriela, said in the statement.

“The PCG [Philippine Coast Guard] calls on the Chinese Coast Guard to adhere to internationally recognised standards of conduct, prioritizing the preservation of life at sea over pretensions of law enforcement that jeopardize the lives of innocent fishermen,” Tarriela said.

A Chinese coast guard boat sprays a water cannon at a Philippine boatChinese coast guard vessels regularly confront Philippine vessels, like seen here in OctoberImage: Philippine Coast Guard/AFP

He said Philippine Coast Guard vessels were initially blocked from reaching the area by “unprofessional and unlawful interferences” but succeeded on Saturday morning in getting through to provide medical attention to the injured.

In a statement released Saturday, the China Coast Guard said it had taken “necessary control measures against the Philippine vessels … including issuing warnings via loudspeaker and conducting external maneuvering to drive them away.”

Chinese territorial claims ‘without legal basis’

China refers to the Sabina Shoal as Xianbin Reef, while the Philippines calls it the Escoda Shoal.

The shoal lies in the Philippine exclusive economic zone, 150 km (95 miles) west of Palawan province.

China’s claims include areas that intrude into the exclusive economic zones of Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam.

In 2016, an international arbitral tribunal ruled that Beijing’s territorial claims had no basis under international law, but China has rejected the ruling.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn 



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Man Says Wife Upset He Doesn’t Want Her to Wear Pimple Patches to a Wedding

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Man Says Wife Upset He Doesn’t Want Her to Wear Pimple Patches to a Wedding



NEED TO KNOW

  • A man said that he recently asked his wife — who suffers from cystic acne — to not wear pimple patches to his sister’s wedding 
  • He explained that he generally thinks the patches are “cute,” but told her he was concerned that they were not appropriate for a formal event
  • Now, his wife is “upset” and he’s unsure if he crossed a line

A man says his wife is “upset” because he asked her to refrain from wearing pimple patches at his sister’s wedding, and he’s unsure if he crossed a line.

The 41-year-old detailed his story on the popular Reddit forum “Am I the A——?”, where Redditors can go to seek advice about interpersonal dilemmas. In his post, the man explained that his wife, 43, “has struggled with cystic acne her whole teenage and adult life.”

“She’s a teacher at an all-girls private high school and [wears] visible star-shaped pimple patches (without makeup) in class to help the students feel more comfortable. I think that’s wonderful in that context. Also, I honestly think my wife looks cute wearing those pimple patches,” he added.

The OP then went on to share that their family is getting ready to attend his sister’s upcoming wedding, and that his wife “wants to go wearing visible star-shaped pimples patches without makeup.”

Formal wedding dinner (stock image).

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The problem? His 13-year-old daughter — who he says is also currently “struggling with cystic acne” — feels as though the stickers will draw attention to her mom’s acne, which will in turn draw more attention to her acne.

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The man said that he has since asked his wife not to wear the patches to the wedding — though he said he purposefully did not mention his daughter’s feelings because she told him that she did not want her mother to know. Instead, he said that he told his wife that he was worried the patches would not be appropriate for a formal occasion.

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The OP says that his wife is now “upset” and is “questioning my previous statements when I had told her that she looks cute with them.”

“Am I the a——?” he asked at the end of his post.

The vast majority of Reddit users said they sympathized with the man’s conundrum and that they thought his wife was on the wrong side of the argument.

“NTA [not the a——],” one person said. “Tell her that you love her in sexy undies but you wouldn’t want her to go to a wedding in only them. So questioning your previous statements about them being cute is a bit over the top. There is a time and place for everything and pimple patches at a wedding is pretty tacky in my opinion.”

Another person said, “NTA. I know she has good intentions, but [wearing pimple patches] will make her look like an attention seeker … It’s a wedding and there’s a level of class/formality that’s to be expected.”

“I think there is a difference [between] everyday empowerment and being visible in photos for a wedding that the bride will spend a lot of money on. It’s a formal setting and [your wife] needs to [dress as though she’s] in a formal setting,” added someone else.



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BREAKING: Two people killed following explosion in garden of south Wales house

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BREAKING: Two people killed following explosion in garden of south Wales house




Emergency services raced to the scene of the explosion at a two-storey property in South Wales, where two people were sadly pronounced dead at the scene



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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran, supporters say | World News

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Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi arrested in Iran, supporters say | World News


Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, who was awarded the prestigious honour in 2023 for her work defending women’s rights and human rights in Iran, has been “violently” detained, according to her supporters. 

She was detained by Iranian authorities in the city of Mashhad, some 680 kilometres (420 miles) northeast of the capital, Tehran, on Friday, a foundation in her name said.

Ms Mohammadi, 53, was attending a memorial for a human rights lawyer who was recently found dead under unclear circumstances.

A local official reportedly confirmed arrests were made but did not specifically mention Ms Mohammadi.

It was not immediately clear whether authorities would return her to prison, where she had been serving a sentence before she was temporarily released in December 2024 for medical purposes.

Mohammadi’s detention comes amid Iran’s crackdown on intellectuals and activists, as Tehran grapples with sanctions, a weakening economy, and fears of a renewed conflict with Israel.

The Nobel Peace Prize laureate’s detention may also intensify Western pressure at a time when Iran has repeatedly indicated interest in new negotiations with the United States over its nuclear program, which have not yet taken place.

‘Deeply concerned’

The Norwegian Nobel Committee, the body that awards the Nobel Peace Prize, said it was “deeply concerned” by Mohammadi’s arrest.

The committee “calls on the Iranian authorities to immediately clarify Mohammadi’s whereabouts, ensure her safety and integrity, and to release her without conditions,” it said in a statement.

Image:
Ali and Kiana Rahmani receive the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for their mother, Narges Mohammadi. Pic: AP.

She was arrested by police and security forces alongside other activists while attending a ceremony honouring Khosrow Alikordi, a 46-year-old Iranian lawyer and human rights advocate who had been based in Mashhad.

Mr Alikordi was found dead in his office earlier this month, reportedly from a heart attack. His death has prompted over 80 lawyers to demand more information.

Hadi Ghaemi, the executive director of the New York-based Center for Human Rights in Iran, said what happened on Friday “is the Islamic Republic’s latest assault on the most basic human freedoms – where even mourning a slain lawyer becomes a punishable act”.

Footage reportedly from the ceremony showed Mohammadi speaking into a microphone, addressing the crowd without wearing a hijab or headscarf.

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She led the crowd in chants of Majidreza Rahnavard’s name, a man executed publicly by hanging from a crane in 2022.

Video released by her foundation showed her without a hijab, standing among a large crowd.

Hasan Hosseini, the city governor of Mashhad, said prosecutors ordered the temporary detention of some ceremony participants after “norm-breaking” chants, calling the move preventive to protect attendees.

Video footage reportedly captured additional anti-government chants, though Hosseini did not address claims of violence during the arrests.

Health fears

Supporters had long warned that Mohammadi could be returned to prison after her December 2024 medical furlough, initially set for three weeks but extended, possibly due to activist and international pressure.

She continued her activism during this period, including protests and media appearances, even outside Tehran’s notorious Evin prison.

Mohammadi had been serving nearly 14 years for charges including collusion against state security and propaganda, and for supporting protests following Mahsa Amini‘s 2022 death.

Medical experts warned that returning her to prison, especially under stressful conditions without proper care, could seriously harm her health.

An engineer by training, Mohammadi has been imprisoned 13 times, convicted five times, and sentenced to over 30 years in total.

Her most recent detention began in 2021 after attending a memorial for a protest victim.



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North Korea’s Kim bestows ‘hero’ titles on soldiers killed in Ukraine war | Kim Jong Un News

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North Korea’s Kim bestows ‘hero’ titles on soldiers killed in Ukraine war | Kim Jong Un News


Kim Jong Un participates in latest public event to honour North Korean troops who served with Russian forces in war against Ukraine.

Published On 13 Dec 2025

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North Korea’s leader Kim Jong Un has hugged injured soldiers in wheelchairs at a ceremony in the capital, Pyongyang, to welcome home troops who served with Russian forces in the war against Ukraine.

State-run Korean Central News Agency said on Saturday that Kim praised the “mass heroism” of the returning 528th Regiment of Engineers of the Korean People’s Army, which had served in Russia’s Kursk region.

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Kim hailed the regiment’s conduct during its 120-day overseas deployment, which commenced in early August and involved combat and engineering duties, including mine clearing in the Kursk region of Russia, where Ukrainian forces had infiltrated and occupied for months before withdrawing.

“You could work a miracle of turning a vast area of danger zone into a safe and secure one in a matter of less than three months, the task which was believed to be impossible to be carried out even in several years,” Kim said, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

“The armed villains of the West, armed with whatever latest military hardware they are, cannot match this revolutionary army with an unfathomable spiritual depth,” Kim added at the ceremony on Friday.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un on Friday welcomed soldiers from the Korean People’s Army’s 528th Regiment of Engineers, who returned from an overseas deployment in Russia’s Kursk region [KCNA via AFP]

The North’s leader also spoke of the “heartrending loss” of nine members of the regiment and announced that the unit would be conferred with the Order of Freedom and Independence. The deceased troops would also be honoured with the title Hero of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, KCNA said, referring to North Korea’s official name.

Video footage of the ceremony released by North Korea showed uniformed soldiers disembarking from an aircraft and Kim embracing soldiers seated in wheelchairs, as other soldiers and officials gathered to welcome the troops.

The Russian Ministry of Defence confirmed last month that North Korean troops, who had helped Russia repel Ukraine’s incursion into Kursk, were now involved in clearing the area of mines.

Concluding a key meeting of his ruling Workers’ Party of Korea on Thursday, Kim also praised the deployment of North Korean troops in support of Russia’s war on Ukraine, saying it “demonstrated to the world the prestige of our army”.

North Korea’s “ever-victorious army” was the “genuine protector of international justice”, Kim said.

Under a mutual defence pact between Moscow and Pyongyang, an estimated 14,000 North Korean soldiers were deployed to fight for Russia, with the number of those killed or wounded ranging between 3,000 and 4,000.

The welcoming ceremony held on Friday marks the latest event to publicly honour North Korean soldiers who served in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

In October, Kim was featured embracing weeping soldiers at a ground-breaking ceremony for a planned memorial to those who fought for Russia, and in June, state media showed Kim draping coffins with the national flag in what appeared to be the repatriation of soldiers’ remains from Russia.

 

This picture taken on December 12, 2025 and released from North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on December 13 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (at podium) attending a welcoming ceremony for the Korean People's Army's 528th Regiment of Engineers, which returned from an overseas deployment in Russia's Kursk region during Moscow's war with Ukraine, in front of the April 25 House of Culture in Pyongyang. (Photo by KCNA VIA KNS / AFP) / South Korea OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / SOUTH KOREA OUT / ---EDITORS NOTE--- RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/KCNA VIA KNS" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS / THIS PICTURE WAS MADE AVAILABLE BY A THIRD PARTY. AFP CAN NOT INDEPENDENTLY VERIFY THE AUTHENTICITY, LOCATION, DATE AND CONTENT OF THIS IMAGE --- /The welcoming home ceremony on Friday in Pyongyang, North Korea, for the Korean People’s Army’s 528th Regiment of Engineers [KCNA via AFP]



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Beware airport parking thieves: police warn over spate of car thefts | Consumer affairs

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Beware airport parking thieves: police warn over spate of car thefts | Consumer affairs


Terence Baxter* had booked a meet-and-greet service to park his Volkswagen at Heathrow airport while he and his wife went on holiday. The couple handed over the keys at the drop-off site and were driven to the terminal – and that was the last they saw of their car. On their return they were informed by the company it had been stolen.

Their case comes as airports and police forces are warning travellers to be wary of “unofficial” operators advertising cheap long-stay parking after a rise in complaints.

Returning holidaymakers have been reporting vehicles that have been damaged, burgled or stolen while in the care of meet-and-greet companies.

Some have received penalty charge notices (PCNs) for parking breaches while their cars were in supposedly secure compounds, while others were left stranded at the arrivals terminal when their meet-and-greet service failed to materialise.

Anyone can set up as a parking operator and trade legally, provided they are not in breach of airline bylaws. The unscrupulous companies usually do not have contracts with landowners. Some operators “moonlight” from the car parks of airport hotels – where customers are directed to drop off their cars – and then dump the vehicles on land outside the airport perimeter, including on construction sites and in fields.

Some motorists received PCNs for parking breaches while their cars were in supposedly secure compounds. Photograph: Alan Novelli/Alamy

Baxter used a comparison website, Compare Your Parking, to find a long-stay deal. He clicked a recommended option, Heathrow Park & Ride, and paid £109 for three weeks’ parking at a secure site. Almost a month later he was informed that his booking had been amended, and the service provider would now be a company called Park At Airport Ltd. The drop-off location was the car park of the Heathrow Holiday Inn, where he was met by an agent in a car. The paperwork was completed in the boot.

On the couple’s return to the UK, they called the number provided and were promised they would be met in the arrivals hall and taken to their car.

“They didn’t come,” Baxter says. “I had to phone them again five times. Eventually, they called to inform me that my car had been stolen, along with seven others.”

Baxter is now pursuing a claim through his insurer that has been classed as “at fault”. He says: “I feel that I am being made to feel like the guilty party, while the car park company seems as if it can walk away and carry on trading with no consequences.”

Customer reviews of Park At Airport on Trustpilot suggest similar experiences. Some report the theft of their vehicle, lost keys or receiving PCNs for parking breaches or unpaid ultra-low emission zone (ULEZ) charges.

Park At Airport blamed vehicle and key thefts on organised criminal gangs and said it was cooperating with a police investigation. It said that the matter of PCNs being issued to customers was being resolved. “We make it clear that vehicles may be moved between compounds,” a spokesperson said. “Unfortunately, there was a recent security breach that affected a relatively small number of customers. Since then, we have implemented enhanced security measures across all our compounds.”

Sussex police told the Guardian it had closed the investigation because of a lack of evidence. “Officers remain aware of ongoing concerns in the local area about the practices of some parking providers,” a spokesperson said. “They continue to work closely with the relevant authorities, including trading standards, to address these issues.”

An investigation last year into airport meet-and-greet companies by the consumer group Which? found that some comparison websites operate in cahoots with unscrupulous parking firms.

“Rogue operators are often prominently listed in search engine results and on some comparison sites. With generic names that change as soon as they attract poor reviews, consumers can easily be caught out,” says the Which? travel expert Guy Hobbs. “In some cases we believe the comparison site and provider to be one and the same.”

Which? recently published a useful guide to the best, and cheapest, on-site and off-site parking options at UK airports.

A dummy booking on Compare Your Parking, the typo-laden comparison site used by Baxter, produced quotes from a range of providers with official-sounding names such as Heathrow Park & Ride and unattributed four- or five-star reviews. In some cases, when we looked, customers had to click through to the small print to discover that the contract was with a differently named company. The companies checked out by the Guardian had one-star reviews on Trustpilot, with customers reporting unsafe storage compounds, theft and damage.

Compare Your Parking is the trading name of Compare Travel Services Ltd, whose director was previously linked to a meet-and-greet service called Wizpark, which attracted some critical reviews from customers on social media. The company did not respond to our requests for a comment.

Heathrow airport this year signed up to a new quality-control initiative designed to vet member parking operators after scores of complaints from scam victims. The approved meet and greet parking operator scheme” (AM-GO), launched by the British Parking Association, is supported by Police Crime Prevention Initiatives and requires member companies to uphold a code of practice. Birmingham airport has also joined the scheme.

Most airports do not yet have a list of approved parking operators. Travellers should read reviews of providers before booking and check they bear the Park Mark logo, which shows that their facilities have passed police safety checks. And if a deal is significantly cheaper than average, beware, as there is probably a catch.

* Name has been changed



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Thailand strikes Cambodia despite Trump truce claims – DW – 12/13/2025

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Thailand strikes Cambodia despite Trump truce claims – DW – 12/13/2025


Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that his country would keep up military strikes on Cambodia until it no longer felt under threat from its neighbor, telling local media there was no ceasefire in place.

Anutin wrote on Facebook that Thailand would “continue to perform military actions until we feel no more harm and threats to our land and people,” after telling reporters it was Cambodia that should first stop its attacks.

“I want to make it clear. Our actions this morning already spoke,” he said.

The recent cross-border clashes, which come after a long-running territorial dispute reignited this year, have displaced more than 500,000 people and killed more than 20 people, including several civilians, with hundreds more wounded, officials say.

Anutin’s statements come after US President Donald Trump on Friday said that both countries had agreed to stop fighting, following days of clashes along their shared 800 kilometer (nearly 550 mile) border.

Cambodia confirms strikes

Cambodia’s Defense Ministry also said in a post on Facebook that “Thai forces have not stopped the bombing and is still continuing the bombing.”

Thailand-Cambodia border clashes escalate

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Its information minister, Neth Pheaktra, said Thai forces had “expanded their attacks to include civilian infrastructure and Cambodian civilians,” something denied by Thailand.

Royal Thai Air Force spokesman Chakkrit Thammavichai said Thai forces were “using high-precision weapons to prevent the damage on innocent civilians.”

Trump says ceasefire agreed in phone calls

On Friday, Trump, who has been mediating in the conflict, said he had spoken by phone with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Anutin, writing on his Truth Social platform that both leaders had agreed to a truce.

“They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord” agreed in July, Trump wrote, describing the call as a “very good conversation.”

After the call,  Anutin said Cambodia was “going to comply with the ceasefire”, adding: “The one who violated the agreement needs to fix [the situation].”

Cambodia’s Hun Manet said his country “has always been adhering to peaceful means for dispute resolutions.”

Long-running Thai-Cambodian border dispute

A ceasefire was brokered in July by the US, China and Malaysia after five days of clashes, which was followed by a declaration by the warring parties to prolong the truce.

However, the agreement was suspended in November after landmines injured Thai soldiers at the border.

The border dispute dates back to the 1950s, shortly after Cambodia gained independence from France, and first centered on the disputed ownership of the ancient Hindu Preah Vihear temple before enlarging to include other border areas.

Edited by: Wesley Rahn



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Wayfair Has Celeb Rug Collections on Sale from $32

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Wayfair Has Celeb Rug Collections on Sale from



One of the quickest ways to refresh a room without redecorating is with a new rug. Right now, Wayfair is having some great deals on rugs of all sizes from celebrity collections, including Kelly Clarkson Home, Martha Stewart’s line, and Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi. And there’s still time to refresh your space before the holiday guests arrive.

Swapping in a new rug instantly transforms a room with a fresh pop of color, pattern, or texture. Wayfair has thousands of options to suit a variety of styles and budgets, and we rounded up eight standout deals from these popular collections starting at $32. Whether your vibe is minimalist, maximalist, or somewhere in between, there’s a rug for you below — up to 84 percent off.

Best Celebrity Rug Deals at Wayfair

Kelly Clarkson Home Colette Area Rug

Wayfair

We love how this rug from Kelly Clarkson Home fits seamlessly into a variety of styles. Its softly faded pattern works well with traditional decor and antique pieces, while the stain-resistant design keeps it looking like new, even in high-traffic spots. Grab it in eight sizes, including rectangle, runner, and square designs.

Martha Stewart Silk & Wool Geometric Area Rug

Wayfair

This rug from Martha Stewart feels luxurious thanks to its handwoven design, and it has a natural floral print that adds an elegant touch to spaces. The naturally distressed piece provides a lived-in appearance that can hide wear and tear, too. With this normally high-end rug deeply discounted, now is the perfect time to treat your feet — and your home.

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Sinclair Runner

Wayfair

Shouldn’t all high-traffic rugs be machine washable? It just makes sense — and Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines delivers that practicality with style. This runner is durable enough for bathrooms, kitchens, entryways, and pet-friendly spaces. The distressed pattern helps to hide dirt while still looking great. Five-star reviewers love the rug’s beautiful colors and how soft it feels underfoot. With 10 sizes to choose from, there’s an option for nearly any space.

Martha Stewart Sisal/Jute Accent Rug

Wayfair

A jute or sisal rug is another practical choice. Durable, natural accent rugs like these are ideal for placing in entryways, bathrooms, and other high-traffic areas. They also look great layered over larger rugs or when placed on top of carpet. Martha Stewart’s jute/sisal collection doesn’t stop at classic natural tones — it also includes naturally dyed, bold hues like blue, red, and olive green.

Keep scrolling to find more beautiful rugs from Kelly Clarkson, Martha Stewart, and Joanna Gaines’ Wayfair collections. 

Kelly Clarkson Colletta Southwestern Area Rug

Wayfair

Magnolia Home by Joanna Gaines x Loloi Lenna Area Rug

Wayfair

Kelly Clarkson Rhode Machine-Washable Runner

Wayfair

Martha Stewart Floral Accent Rug

Wayfair



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Andrew STILL can’t escape the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein: New photos from paedophile’s records also feature two US presidents and Woody Allen

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Andrew STILL can’t escape the shadow of Jeffrey Epstein: New photos from paedophile’s records also feature two US presidents and Woody Allen


Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor faced fresh humiliation on Friday as more Jeffrey Epstein photos were released.

The latest batch of images was published on the same day as the former Prince and Sarah Ferguson made a rare public appearance for the christening of their granddaughter Athena.

One photograph shows Andrew with Bill Gates at a public event in 2018. The original photo also featured King Charles, but he has been cropped out.

The cache of new images includes snaps of sex predator Epstein parading around with rich and powerful friends including Donald Trump and Bill Clinton. One showing Epstein in his Manhattan townhouse study has sparked a frenzy of speculation because of a disturbing framed photograph on his desk that appears to show an incapacitated woman.

Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee unveiled the intimate photos, having chosen them from more than 95,000 unseen images handed over from the estate of the late paedophile. Some photos depict graphic sex toys but it is unclear the location or dates of the images.

The cache was released hours after Andrew and Sarah attended the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace for the christening of Athena, the second daughter of Princess Beatrice, 37, and her property developer husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, 42.

The image of Mountbatten-Windsor and Gates has previously been made public by the Getty Images photo agency, and includes King Charles who has been cropped out of the version by US lawmakers.

According to the caption, it was taken at a summit during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting focusing on malaria in London on April 18, 2018.

Democratic lawmakers on the House Oversight Committee unveiled almost 100 photos from the Epstein estate, including one of Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor with US software tycoon Bill Gates

The new cache of photos features several US presidents, including Donald Trump (left) – pictured here with Epstein (centre) and Belgian model Ingrid Seynhaeve (right)

In another photo the current US President is seen posing with six women, whose identities have been redacted

In another photo the current US President is seen posing with six women, whose identities have been redacted

Singer Jimmy Buffett and his wife (left) with US president Bill Clinton (centre), Ghislaine Maxwell (second from right) and Jeffrey Epstein (far right)

Singer Jimmy Buffett and his wife (left) with US president Bill Clinton (centre), Ghislaine Maxwell (second from right) and Jeffrey Epstein (far right)

These latest images are not the highly anticipated trove of Epstein files many have been expecting after President Trump signed a bill ordering their release – a significant turning point in a months-long fight over the documents. 

The deadline for the full files is next Friday. The Democrat lawmakers may be hoping this disclosure will keep the Epstein case in the news and continue to keep pressure building on Mr Trump. 

Other famous names pictured in the new set include several of the President, along with former US president Bill Clinton, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, actor Woody Allen, US economist Larry Summers, lawyer Alan Dershowitz and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson. There is no suggestion any of these men have done anything wrong.

In one of the photos, Mr Trump poses with six unnamed women, whose faces have been obscured by censors to protect their identities. Last night Democrats on the House Oversight Committee released another batch containing more than 70 images, including one of Epstein in a bathtub, taking the total published yesterday to almost 100. 

‘In the interest of transparency, we will continue to release photos from the Epstein estate,’ they said.

When asked about the photos, President Trump told reporters in the Oval Office that Epstein ‘has photos with everybody’.

‘He has hundreds and hundreds of people that have photos with him,’ he said. ‘That’s no big deal, I know nothing about it.’

But it was the image with an apparently unconscious woman draped over a sofa that was causing the most comments. The undated photo shows Epstein at his desk opposite Right-wing political strategist Mr Bannon. The pair had a professional relationship during 2018 and 2019, when Mr Bannon provided media coaching and advice to Epstein.

Film director Woody Allen (left) and Jeffrey Epstein (right) are seen speaking together on what appears to be a movie set

Film director Woody Allen (left) and Jeffrey Epstein (right) are seen speaking together on what appears to be a movie set

Woody Allen (left) speaking to Steve Bannon (right) on an unknown date in a photo obtained from the Epstein estate

Woody Allen (left) speaking to Steve Bannon (right) on an unknown date in a photo obtained from the Epstein estate

Segway inventor Dean Kamen (left) and billionaire Richard Branson (right), holding a notepad, are seen with Epstein

Segway inventor Dean Kamen (left) and billionaire Richard Branson (right), holding a notepad, are seen with Epstein

A framed photo on the right-hand corner of the desk, facing toward Epstein, appears to show a woman lying down, apparently incapacitated. A black box has been placed over her face to protect her identity. The image’s contents cannot be definitively determined, but lurid claims exploded on social media with commenters calling it ‘very disturbing’, ‘vile’ and ‘disgusting’.

‘What a sicko,’ Leasha Knight wrote on X. ‘What appears to be an incapacitated young girl passed out on a couch. You have to be pretty confident you won’t be arrested to have such a deplorable picture on your desk.’

There is also a photo of Democrat former president Clinton which appears to have been signed by him. A spokesman for Clinton has previously acknowledged that he took four trips with his staff on Epstein’s private plane in 2002 and 2003.

Microsoft founder Gates said in a 2021 CNN interview that Epstein joined him for ‘several dinners’, with the computer entrepreneur hoping Epstein’s contacts could help him raise money for global health causes. ‘It was a huge mistake to spend time with him, to give him the credibility of being there,’ Mr Gates said. Spokesmen for Mr Gates have previously maintained that there was no business partnership or personal friendship between the pair.

One photo shows a bowl of condoms with a caricature of Trump’s face along with a sign saying, ‘Trump condom $4.50.’ Each condom shows Trump’s face with the text, ‘I’m HUUUUGE!’

Democrat congressman Robert Garcia said yesterday: ‘These disturbing photos raise even more questions about Epstein and his relationships with some of the most powerful men in the world.’

The White House said: ‘Once again, House Democrats are selectively releasing cherry-picked photos with random redactions to try and create a false narrative.

‘The Democrat hoax against President Trump has been repeatedly debunked.’



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RSV symptoms that may seem like flu as cases continue to rise

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RSV symptoms that may seem like flu as cases continue to rise


RSV is a common virus that can cause cold and flu symptoms, and it can be serious for babies and older adults

RSV can cause a wide variety of symptoms(Image: Getty Images)

Many people could be battling a potentially severe respiratory illness, mistaking it for the common flu. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a widespread virus that can trigger symptoms similar to a cold or flu; however, it can pose serious risks for infants and older adults if contracted.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) reports that cases of both influenza and RSV are on the rise across the UK as we approach the winter season’s midpoint. RSV tends to spread more frequently during the colder months and can easily transmit to others.

Recent data from the UKHSA reveals that RSV positivity increased to 10 per cent in the week between November 24 and 30, up from 8.7 per cent the previous week. NHS guidance emphasises that nearly all children contract RSV at least once before their second birthday.

Woman blowing noseSome people are at a higher risk of complications(Image: Getty Images)

Despite this, infants and older adults can experience complications from an RSV infection, particularly pneumonia (lung inflammation), which may necessitate hospital treatment in some instances. Infants are also at heightened risk of bronchiolitis, a chest infection that can progress into a severe lung infection.

Thankfully, you can reduce the risk of infection by taking measures to prevent its spread, especially if you’re exhibiting symptoms of an RSV infection.

RSV symptoms

According to the NHS, people infected with RSV will typically show symptoms within the first few days of infection. This can include a variety of symptoms, many of which are similar to the flu or the common cold:

  • A cough
  • A high temperature – signs include your back or chest feeling hotter than usual, sweatiness and shivering (chills)
  • A runny or blocked nose
  • Tiredness
  • Sneezing
  • A cough that gets worse
  • Shortness of breath
  • Faster breathing or long gaps between breaths
  • Difficulty feeding (in babies) or loss of appetite
  • Wheezing
  • Confusion (in older adults)

Man blowing noseSome symptoms may need to be seen by a doctor(Image: Getty Images)

Symptoms from an RSV infection usually get better on their own without further treatment. However, there may be some situations where you may need to speak to a GP.

Full details on RSV can be found on the NHS website here.



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