Chinese activist Li Qiaochu has faced trial on charges of "inciting subversion of state power," part of China's broader crackdown on dissent. Li's lawyer, Li Guobei, reported being denied entry to the closed-door trial held in Linyi, Shandong. The 32-year-old, in custody since March 2021, potentially faces a prison term of five years or more. The trial concluded without a verdict, as reported by the FreeLiqiaochu Facebook page, a platform tracking updates on the case.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed a willingness to thoroughly investigate any evidence presented regarding alleged connections between India and a conspiracy to assassinate a Sikh separatist leader in the US. In November, the US charged an Indian individual with plotting the murder of a Sikh leader in New York. Modi, in an interview with the Financial Times, asserted that these allegations would not negatively impact the relationship between India and the US, emphasizing India's commitment to the rule of law.
While the prospect of a comprehensive ceasefire in the Gaza Strip remains distant, there are emerging signs suggesting the potential for a temporary cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. This, however, hinges on a pivotal shift in Hamas's public stance, which has steadfastly maintained that it would only consider the release of more Israeli hostages in exchange for a permanent ceasefire.
Over the past decade, the full-back position in football has undergone a significant evolution. Traditionally tasked with defensive duties and providing support to wingers, full-backs now play a crucial role in possession, contributing to build-up play and attacking strategies in the final third.
Australian bowler Mitchell Starc set a new record as the most expensive signing in Indian Premier League (IPL) history, securing a deal for 24.75 crore Indian rupees (£2.3 million) with the Kolkata Knight Riders. This broke the earlier record set on the same day when Pat Cummins was bought for 20.5 crore (£1.9 million). The fee surpassed the 18.15 crore (£1.85 million) paid for England's Sam Curran in 2022.
In a thrilling encounter, Drew Lock secured a 20-17 victory for the Seattle Seahawks over the Philadelphia Eagles, keeping their playoff aspirations alive. The 27-year-old quarterback, making only his second start of the season due to Geno Smith's injury, orchestrated a remarkable 92-yard, 10-play drive, culminating in a game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass to Jaxon Smith-Njigba with just 28 seconds remaining.
Turner Prize-winning artist Sir Grayson Perry has criticized energy firm EDF, alleging that the company attempted to increase his monthly electricity bill from £300 to an astonishing £39,000. Sir Grayson shared his frustration on X (formerly Twitter), revealing that EDF sought to deduct this inflated amount via direct debit. Other customers, including journalist Jon Sopel, chimed in with similar experiences.
Emmy-nominated actor Jonathan Majors has been released from Marvel Studios following his conviction for assaulting his then-girlfriend, British choreographer Grace Jabbari. The New York jury found Majors, 34, guilty of attacking and harassing Jabbari during a dispute in March. In response to the verdict, Marvel announced the termination of their collaboration with the actor, who portrayed the villain Kang the Conqueror in Marvel films, including "Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania" and the Disney+ series "Loki." Facing a potential one-year prison sentence, Majors' downfall is particularly significant given his expected involvement in multiple Marvel projects, including "Avengers: The Kang Dynasty," which Marvel has now rebranded as "Avengers 5."
Esteemed broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen has disclosed her affiliation with the Dignitas assisted dying clinic in Switzerland, unveiling her connection in the context of her ongoing battle with stage four lung cancer. In a candid interview 83-year-old acknowledged the potential recourse to assisted dying in Zurich should her current medical regimen prove ineffective. Despite contemplating this option, Dame Esther conveyed her hopeful anticipation for a "precious" Christmas, a milestone she had not envisaged reaching. Notably, assisted suicide remains proscribed in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, carrying the weight of severe penalties, including imprisonment for up to 14 years.
The video game studio responsible for Spider-Man 2 has fallen victim to a significant ransomware attack. Hackers, demanding a $2 million ransom from Sony-owned Insomniac, the studio behind the Play Station 5 hit, have exposed information including details about upcoming releases and work-in-progress footage of the anticipated Wolverine game. The leaked data, encompassing private employee information and internal company emails, has prompted condemnation from fellow game developers, journalists, and fans.