I walked up to I’m A Celeb camp and ITV have gone to huge lengths for Ade Adepitan’s debut
Associate Editor Tom Bryant is given a tour of the I’m A Celebrity camp – and is wowed by the efforts to make the jungle accessible for Ade Adepitan.
20:03, 12 Nov 2026
I’m A Celebrity’s amazing new adaptations for Ade Adepitan
Walking up from the creek to the top of the jungle is lung-busting stuff. I was out of breath by time i’d made it to my hammock yesterday.
I can certainly understand why the campmates always kick off when they’re lumbered with the washing up at the bottom. Now imagine having to negotiate that same hill on crutches.
That’s the challenge facing Ade Adepitan when he enters the I’m A Celebrity jungle this weekend. And fair play to both him and ITV for the extraordinary lengths they’ve gone to in making it possible.
Bosses have spent months working out how to accommodate the Paralympian’s needs without compromising the look and feel of the jungle. And having seen the results for myself, I reckon they’ve cracked it.
You could wander around the camp for hours without noticing many of the changes. Everything has been so cleverly blended into the surroundings that it barely registers. Even the stairlift has been camouflaged with greenery to make it look like part of the jungle.
As for that punishing hill, resting points have been introduced along the way, while the steps have been subtly levelled to give Ade a firmer grip. But underestimate him at your peril.
This is a man who once crawled up a volcano in Nicaragua after a gruelling 220-mile trek across Central America to the Pacific coast for a TV show. Insiders tell me his upper-body strength is astonishing, and I’m delighted that bosses are confident he’ll be able to tackle the vast majority of this year’s challenges.
There is something genuinely uplifting about the effort that has gone into making this happen. Not least the message it sends to disabled boys and girls watching at home.
And perhaps nobody understands the significance of it better than Ade himself.
“Words like ‘honour’ and ‘privilege’ are ones I feel, but I don’t think they sum it up enough,” he said. “For me, this is a moment in time. Even if I go out in the first week, I will always be remembered as the person in a wheelchair.”
Anthropic Preps for a Trillion-Dollar Debut
Anthropic’s massive IPO comes with staggering infrastructure commitments and steep operating losses.
Anthropic is expected to price its initial public offering on Wednesday, Nov. 18, ahead of a planned Nasdaq debut on Nov. 19, in what is shaping up to be the largest artificial intelligence IPO to date.
The company launched its roadshow on Tuesday, marketing 825 million shares at $70 to $78 each, including 801.4 million newly issued shares and 23.6 million from existing shareholders. The offering could raise as much as $64.35 billion and, based on the shares outstanding disclosed in its filing, value Anthropic at approximately $1 trillion at the top of the range.
The proposed valuation is below the $1.5 trillion figure that circulated before a recent selloff in technology stocks, suggesting the company is prioritizing a successful debut and strong investor demand over pursuing the highest possible valuation.
Pricing at roughly $1 trillion, with the option to move toward $1.2 trillion, “is the right move,” according to a Nov. 10 research note from merchant bank Yorkville Ives & Co. “A deal of this size gets one shot at its debut, and making it digestible for the market matters more than the last turn of valuation,” the firm added.
An Unusual Sidepot
Alongside the public offering, Anthropic is arranging a $26 billion private placement with seven major tech investors: Alphabet Inc., Nvidia Corp., Advanced Micro Devices Inc., Broadcom Inc., Micron Technology Inc., Microsoft Corp., and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. The combined fundraising could reach $90.4 billion.
The arrangement gives companies with significant commercial relationships with Anthropic — including chip suppliers, cloud providers and distribution partners — stakes in the “Claude” developer before its first public trading session. It’s also a unique setup since several of these investors could also make money from Anthropic’s infrastructure spending.
| ANTHROPIC SNAPSHOT |
|---|
| Index: NASDAQ |
| Ticker Symbol: ANT |
| Offering: 825M shares |
| Price: $70-$78 per share |
| Proceeds: $64.35B |
| Q3 Revenue: $16.96B |
| Operating Loss: $567M |
| Infrastructure Commitments: $900.9B |
| Valuation: $1 Trillion |
| Private Placement: $26B |
“Google, Nvidia, AMD, Broadcom, Micron, Microsoft and TSMC have commercial interests in the technology Anthropic needs to expand, giving them potential benefits beyond the return on their shares,” Varun Datta, venture capitalist and Founder of Truth Ventures, told Global Finance. “What’s unusual is having seven major technology companies investing at this scale, including businesses that compete with one another and could also supply Anthropic with the infrastructure it needs.”
Google and Microsoft sell cloud computing capacity, while Nvidia, AMD and Broadcom supply AI chips and related technology. Their potential returns extend beyond Anthropic’s share price because its continued expansion could generate billions in additional orders for their businesses, he explained.
“I’d want to examine whether the investments are tied to purchasing commitments, cloud contracts or preferential supply arrangements,” Datta added.
“Those details matter because they would help establish how much of the capital raised is available for Anthropic to deploy independently, and how much could ultimately flow back to its investors through commercial spending.”
Amended Terms
The proposed range of $70 to $78 a share on 825 million shares tops out below the terms in a filing Anthropic briefly sent to banks — $70 to $80 a share on 866.7 million shares — which a company representative later said contained inaccurate pricing details, Reuters reported.
Anthropic did not respond to Global Finance’s request for a comment.
The startup’s revised terms follow a sharp tech selloff that began Nov. 5, when the Nasdaq fell 5.5% — its worst day since April 2025 — amid concerns that Democrats’ midterm gains could bring tighter AI regulation.
Michigan Senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed, who won on Nov. 3, campaigned on a plan that includes “pausing frontier AI development,” the category that covers Anthropic, according to Harvard’s Ash Center.
A Closely Intertwined System
Google, Amazon.com Inc. and Microsoft are among Anthropic’s backers, customers and computing suppliers, illustrating how tight-knit the AI ecosystem has become.
The company’s substantial infrastructure commitments offer a multi-year demand signal for chipmakers and cloud providers, while raising questions about whether revenue growth can eventually translate into sustainable margins.
The central question for investors will be whether Anthropic can maintain its rapid expansion while bringing computing costs under control. Its second-quarter operating profit and third-quarter loss offer sharply different pictures of the company’s underlying earnings potential.
The offering also comes on the heels of SpaceX’s massive IPO and OpenAI’s expected public listing in 2027. But while Anthropic’s market debut could establish an important benchmark for valuing privately held AI companies, the longer-term test will be whether it can sustain that valuation after the initial excitement fades.
A sharp decline in Anthropic’s share price, as seen with SpaceX, which is down more than 13% year to date, could challenge the investment assumptions underpinning the broader AI investment boom.
Anthony Noto covers corporate finance and private credit. Contact him at anoto@gfmag.com.
Hegseth awards soldier who scolded him and his aides at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
WASHINGTON — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has given a top award to the service member who scolded him and his staff at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following a Veterans Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery.
On social media Thursday, Hegseth posted photos that show him pinning the award and shaking hands with a soldier. His post says, “We love soldiers. We love standards. Well done, Specialist.”
Hegseth welcomed to the Pentagon the Army unit that guards the tomb and awarded Spc. Thomas Iglesias with the Joint Service Commendation Medal “for the execution of his duties at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on November 11, 2026,” the Pentagon said.
Iglesias reprimanded Hegseth and a group of his staffers when a loud laugh was heard after they took photos at the site following a ceremony that included President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
Video showed Hegseth taking photos on the empty steps in front of the tomb on Wednesday with his wife, Jennifer, chief of staff Ricky Buria, deputy chief of staff Patrick Weaver and senior adviser Tami Radabaugh.
The tomb is considered to be one of the most solemn and revered war memorials in the U.S., being the final resting place of unidentified soldiers from World War I, World War II and the Korean War. It has been guarded around the clock — rain or shine — by a soldier from the Army’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, also known as “The Old Guard,” since 1948.
The Joint Service Commendation Medal is considered to be one of the higher awards in the military and is not typically issued to junior enlisted service members.
Sean Parnell, the Pentagon’s top spokesman, said soon after video of the reprimand emerged that the soldier “correctly and respectfully reminded everyone to maintain decorum.”
The scolding drew attention once more to the embattled defense secretary, who had survived an impeachment attempt the day before.
The effort was led by Republican Rep. Thomas Massie and backed by Democrats. While Hegseth’s critics were not successful in Tuesday’s vote, Republicans may have only delayed a bid to impeach him. With Democrats set to take control of the House and Senate in January, those efforts are likely to be renewed.
Hegseth rebuked the move Tuesday in his first news conference in months, arguing that he had committed none of the high crimes required in the Constitution for his removal and framing the effort as an indictment against the nation’s service members and their successes.
“This is not patriotism,” Hegseth argued. “This is sabotage.”
Toropin writes for the Associated Press.
Austin Reaves injured as Lakers win seventh in a row
MILWAUKEE — The Lakers won their seventh straight game. They could lose something bigger.
Star guard Austin Reaves left Wednesday’s 123-112 win over the Milwaukee Bucks with a left heel injury and did not return.
Reaves, who scored 18 points with five assists and three steals, landed awkwardly on a blocked dunk attempt during the third quarter but stayed in the game despite appearing to be in discomfort on the bench during an ensuing timeout. He remained in the game for three minutes before appearing to aggravate the injury on a drive toward the basket. He asked to be substituted on the next possession.
Reaves’ initial X-rays were negative, Lakers coach JJ Redick said, and the guard, averaging a career-best 23.5 points on 50.8% shooting, will undergo further imaging. Initial tests have ruled out any potential Achilles injury, Redick said.
The Lakers finished their first extended trip of the season unscathed in the standings, improving to 11-2 and still holding the best record in the league, but had to limp across the finish line Wednesday after injuries struck.
Guard Collin Sexton received an eyebrow’s worth of stitches over his right eye after knocking heads with Milwaukee Bucks guard Ryan Rollins with 6:51 remaining in the fourth quarter. Sexton’s sudden departure forced Luka Doncic to re-enter a the game, which the Lakers led by 20 points.
Two-and-a-half minutes later, Doncic turned his ankle while getting fouled by Kyle Kuzma on a long two-point jumper.
Doncic, who led the Lakers with 32 points, five assists, five rebounds and three steals, grabbed at his right ankle immediately. Lakers staff members tended to him while Kuzma’s foul was reviewed for a potential flagrant, but Doncic stayed in the game to shoot the free throw. He got subbed out right after that.
Doncic said after the game he felt fine. Now he just has to wait for news on his backcourt running mate.
“We just gotta have next-man-up mentality,” Doncic said of the potential of playing without Reaves. “Obviously we lose a very, very good player. Hopefully … it’s nothing. We gotta have next-man-up mentality.”
Reaves signed a maximum contract extension this summer and was off to a career year. He is the 15th-leading scorer in the NBA, and he and Doncic (38.6 points per game) form the highest-scoring pair of teammates in the league. Reaves is also averaging 3.4 rebounds and 4.6 assists while shooting a career-best 41.3% from three-point range.
Reaves, who played almost an entire game on what turned into a Grade 2 oblique strain suffered last April against Oklahoma City, had missed the Lakers’ previous game against the Atlanta Hawks because of illness.
Guard Quentin Grimes missed his second consecutive game Wednesday because of a sprained finger on his right hand. Grimes was questionable for Wednesday’s game, but still had swelling, Redick said, which could have affected the right-handed guard’s shooting.
Forward Sandro Mamukelashvili delivered for the shorthanded Lakers both times, scoring 23 points of the bench for the second consecutive game Wednesday. The Georgian forward shot 11 for 35 from three-point range during the first 11 games of the season and suddenly found his shooting stroke with consecutive games shooting five for eight from deep against the Hawks and Bucks.
Mamukelashvili helped lift the Lakers through a five-day stretch that Redick said felt more like three weeks. Last Friday, the Lakers played the Portland Trail Blazers at home in an NBA Cup group game and have since climbed to the top of the NBA standings, won two games against teams in the top half of the Eastern Conference and watched both of their star guards leave a game injured.
“We’re all ready to go home,” said center Walker Kessler, who had 10 points and 11 rebounds for his seventh double-double in eight games. “I’ll just say that.”
Battered and bruised from a tiring trip, the Lakers return home for a brief respite. The Lakers will have multiple days of rest before their next game Sunday at Phoenix. They don’t face a team with a winning record until Nov. 27. That road game in San Antonio figures to be a marquee showdown between Western Conference title contenders.
UK mosque rebukes comission’s ‘warning’ following Palestine comments | Israel-Palestine conflict News
The Lewisham Islamic Centre accused the charity watchdog of imposing disproportionate expectations on Muslim charities.
Published On 12 Nov 2026
The Lewisham Islamic Centre (LIC) in London has rejected a warning issued by the UK’s independent Charity Commission, which reprimanded the mosque for comments on Palestinian suffering made by an imam during October 2023 sermons.
“The matters raised by the Commission represent a troubling attempt to scrutinise, restrict and penalise legitimate religious worship” and “the expression of solidarity with the Palestinian people,” the mosque said in an official statement issued Wednesday.
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The statement comes after the charity watchdog accused the religious centre of including “content that was inflammatory, divisive and not in the charity’s best interests” during two separate sermons, as they issued an official warning urging the centre to “improve its handling of speakers and events hosted at the charity’s premises” on October 20.
The commission warned that if the mosque fails to “remedy the misconduct”, it may be subjected to further action.
‘Unnecessarily burdensome’
The mosque also accused the commission of imposing disproportionate expectations on Muslim charities after the warning, describing them as “unnecessarily burdensome”. The religious centre explained that a sermon, or khutbah, is an integral part of Islamic worship and often speaks to the issues affecting the wellbeing of congregations and their communities. The LIC worried that the warning suggested the commission was “entitled to dictate which subjects Imams may address in their khutbahs”.
LIC added that they are currently seeking legal advice as to the best way to move forward following the warning.
CAGE International, a London-based human rights organisation, supported the mosque, and claimed the Charity Commission showed lenience when it came to pro-Israel charities.
“The Commission’s position treats the word ‘Zionist’ as inflammatory in itself,” CAGE said on Thursday. “This merges opposition to a political ideology with hatred of a people, and places Muslim religious expression under suspicion by default.”
“The Commission has told a mosque that naming who is responsible for Palestinian suffering falls outside acceptable religious practice,” a spokesperson for CAGE said. “This is the same regulator asking for the power to remove trustees for their views,” they added, referring to a recent government consultation to expand the Charity Commission’s powers.
What we know about Brooklyn building collapse that killed eight people
Eight people have died and 18 more were injured after a three-storey building collapsed in the Flatbush neighbourhood of Brooklyn.
Witnesses described hearing a loud boom and seeing dust in the air as the building came down and fell into a construction pit where people were working on Wednesday.
The building – which contained apartments and a store – was adjacent to an active construction site.
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, described a harrowing scene, saying workers “who had only barely survived themselves turned back and dug victims out of the rubble”.
The city’s fire commissioner, Lillian Bonsignore, said firefighters were on the scene within minutes and called their actions “incredibly heroic”.
Speaking on Thursday, she said fire crews “are still in a recovery phase”.
Despite the hard rain and falling temperatures at the site, she said, their efforts would continue until every victim was located.
Dan Hicks, NBC sportscaster and husband of Hannah Storm, dies at 64
The three pillars of Dan Hicks’ career as an NBC Sports broadcaster were golf, the Olympics and Notre Dame football, in no particular order. Yet the towering pillars in his life were his wife of 32 years, ESPN broadcaster Hannah Storm, and their three daughters.
Storm broke the news Thursday that Hicks died suddenly a day earlier at 64, triggering an outpouring of grief, heartfelt condolences and tributes.
“Our family is heartbroken by the sudden and unexpected passing of Dan following an acute illness,” Storm wrote on social media. “He was a devoted husband of over 30 years, loving father to our three daughters, and cherished friend to so many. His loss is immeasurable.”
May 2025 photo of Hannah Storm and Dan Hicks in New York City.
(Santiago Felipe/Getty Images)
Hicks was a familiar, authoritative voice during NBC coverage of 26 years of the PGA Tour, 16 Olympics beginning with the 1992 Barcelona Games and seven seasons of Notre Dame football. He was scheduled to call Saturday’s game between the Irish and Boston College.
“Dan Hicks was an extraordinary colleague, friend and person. In his 34 years at NBC Sports, he was an exceptional storyteller and caller of games and events who elevated some of the biggest moments in sports history,” NBC Sports president Rick Cordella, executive producer Sam Flood and executive producer Molly Solomon said in a statement.
“But far beyond his on-air excellence, Dan was a better person who welcomed teammates with a smile, a joke, or a word of encouragement, sometimes all three in the same sentence.”
Hicks anchored the network’s golf coverage of the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, Ryder Cup, Presidents Cup and the U.S. Women’s Open. He won a Sports Emmy for his work on the 2024 Paris Olympics and was the Alpine skiing play-by-play announcer at the Milan Cortina Games last winter.
His most famous call on the golf course came at the 2008 U.S. Open when Tiger Woods sunk a 12-foot putt to force a playoff at Torrey Pines. Hicks waited for the crowd to erupt then said in an even voice: “Expect anything different?”
On a recent podcast, Hicks described what he considered the most important element of broadcasting.
“I always remind myself, and I remind young broadcasters coming up, you’ve got to make the people that the audience is watching, you’ve got to make them care about those people,” he said. “And how do you do that? You’ve got to tell some personal stories. You’ve got to introduce the audience to, who is this person? Why are they here? What was their journey like to get here? And so, if you use that element, the numbers game doesn’t matter. If you care about somebody, then you are invested in the telecast.”
Hicks and Storm met in 1989 while both worked at CNN Sports Tonight, where Storm was the first female host. They began dating a year later and married Jan. 8, 1994. Storm spent a decade with Hicks at NBC covering four Olympic games and Major League Baseball before moving to CBS News for six years and to ESPN in 2008 where she currently is a Sports Center anchor.
“We are deeply saddened by the sudden passing of Dan Hicks, a respected voice in sports broadcasting and husband of ESPN anchor Hannah Storm,” ESPN chairman Jimmy Pitaro said in a statement. “Hannah is a cherished member of the ESPN family, and our hearts are with her, their three daughters and all who knew and loved Dan, including his NBC colleagues, during this incredibly difficult time. We extend our deepest condolences and stand alongside Hannah and her family.”
Rory McIlroy holds the 2025 Players trophy as he is interviewed by Dan Hicks after McIlroy in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
(David Cannon / Getty Images)
Storm posted a photo of her with Hicks on social media along with her statement, which concluded, “Dan was truly one of a kind and, quite simply, the person everyone wanted to be around. When he walked into a room, he brought the energy, the laughter and the people together. He was endlessly kind, thoughtful and funny, and he made everyone feel like they mattered.
“Our three daughters and I are heartbroken. We are grateful for the love and support surrounding our family during this incredibly difficult time. There are simply no words to express how much he will be missed.”
Hicks is survived by Storm and their daughters Hannah, Ellery and Riley.
Goldman Sachs sees favorable risk-reward in Nvidia, citing Apple leadership parallel
The African island resort with new British Airways flights and it’s 31C right now
OUR Spotlight On column shines a light on the best things to see and do in our popular holiday destinations, as well as some spots that lie relatively under the radar.
This week, we take a look at the Sri Lankan resort of Bentota and, with new British Airways launching just last month, BA destination manager Yasmin Jewels reveals her top tips.
MUST SEE/DO
Bentota beach is considered one of the best in Sri Lanka, a wide stretch of golden sand backed by palm trees on the south-west coast.
As well as perfect lounging territory, the calm waters of the Bentota River and lagoon are perfect for paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing and banana boat rides.
Hop aboard a boat to glide through lush mangroves along the river itself.
And don’t miss a visit to the Kande Viharaya Temple, a hilltop Buddist shrine dating back to the 18th century famous for its striking seated Buddha, one of the tallest in the world.
HIDDEN GEM
Don’t miss Brief Garden, a lush paradise created by Sri Lankan artist Bevis Bawa.
Wander through shaded pathways, tropical planting and flower-filled courtyards with sculptures tucked away throughout the grounds.
BEST VIEW
Head to Bentota Beach at sunset for sweeping views across the palm-fringed sands and the Indian Ocean as the sun sets over the west coast.
RATED RESTAURANT
Malli’s Seafood Restaurant Riverside is a well-known Bentota favourite, known for its generous portions of seafood and authentic curries in a relaxed riverside setting.
The White Tree restaurant offers a more modern feel with lots of local dishes and of course, seafood.
And the Vintage Restaurant is a cosy, intimate spot with a pretty garden setting that mixes Sri Lankan favourites with international dishes.
BEST BAR
The Loft Bar at Thaala Bentota has great views of the Indian Ocean and a relaxed, lounge-style atmosphere perfect for sunset drinks.
The Tease Bar at the Taj Bentota Resort & Spa is great for music and evening cocktails.
For casual drinks with river views, Pier 88 is also a popular spot.
HOTEL PICK
For a stylish, 5* stay the Cinnamon Bentota Beach was designed by legendary local architect Geoffrey Bawa and sits between the Bentota River and Indian Ocean.
There’s four restaurants and a swim-up bar.
Seven nights’ B&B is from £1,799pp including British Airways flights from Gatwick on select dates in November and 23kg luggage.
Or for a great value stay, the 4* Hotel Riu Sri Lanka sits right on Ahungalla beach has 24-hour all-inclusive, three pools, spa and wellness centre and lots of entertainment for adults and kids.
Seven nights’ all-inclusive is from £1,299pp including Gatwick flights on select dates this November.
How to use the new free electric bike rental program at Santa Fe Dam
The Los Angeles County Flood Control District includes almost 500 miles of open channels. How much of it can be used for hiking and biking trails, green spaces and parks?
A coalition of L.A. County officials and local nonprofits is working together on a new initiative, known as Urban Natureways, to find out. Urban Natureways aims to develop L.A. County property, along rivers and other waterways, into community spaces for neighborhoods of color that have borne the brunt of high pollution and other environmental burdens.
The coalition’s first accomplishment will be celebrated Saturday at the grand opening of the project’s first mobility hub. Operated by ActiveSGV, a mobility justice nonprofit, the hub will offer free electric bike rentals on select weekends at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area in Irwindale.
Cyclists sign forms before renting electric bikes at the new mobility hub at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
In this week’s edition of The Wild, our weekly outdoors newsletter, I will introduce you to not only this new electric bike program but also to the L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation’s new Urban Natureways initiative. Can L.A. County develop these green spaces that local residents want without opening the door for gentrification? We’ll dig into that too.
First, let’s talk about what Urban Natureways is.
Approved by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors last year, the initiative creates a coalition of L.A. County leaders and local nonprofits who meet monthly to discuss and plan projects and find funding for those projects. This includes developing linear parks, which are typically long and narrow, and other community outdoors spaces on county land.
“The County is uniquely poised to seize a transformative opportunity to reimagine its flood control and utility corridors as dynamic Urban Natureways that serve both people and the environment,” the motion reads. “… While [a flood control channel’s] primary function is to reduce the risk to life and property, in certain cases, these underutilized spaces can also become living infrastructure, linking neighborhoods, restoring ecosystems, and delivering environmental, health, and mobility benefits where they are needed most.”
Cyclists riding electric bikes rented from the mobility hub make their way through Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area bike trails.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Urban Natureways is focused on four project areas: the Pacoima Wash, the Emerald Necklace project along the Rio Hondo and San Gabriel rivers, Compton Creek and the lower L.A. River.
Thus far, eight projects have received $12.8 million for planning, design and construction.
Funded projects and future plans include a wellness loop, new trees and landscaping along the Compton Creek; public art, community gardens, a regional stormwater project, an e-bike library and multi-use trails at the Pacoima Wash; and a river gateway with trails, native landscaping, environmental education, along with a mobility hub and gathering spaces, at the Lower L.A. River.
Saturday’s grand opening is the first Urban Natureways pilot project, which García-González said shows how public land can be activated by a community-based organization, especially one that’s local and whose leaders are actively engaged in their community.
Geese prepare to land on the water at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Organizations like ActiveSGV “are very invested in their communities,” García-González said. “They’ve done a lot of work in regards to being the champions to what the community needs are.”
The mobility hub is at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area, an 836-acre park with a 70-acre lake and several recreational opportunities, including swimming, fishing, kayaking and riding bikes.
The nonprofit ActiveSGV has operated the hub since September after being granted a 10-year lease from L.A. County. It offers Class 1 e-bikes to check out at 9 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. on select Saturdays and Sundays. Anyone can check out a bike for free by registering for a rental at ActiveSGV’s Eventbrite page.
“Even with these hot summers, some light showers and random weather, we’ve seen pretty good participation,” said ActiveSGV executive director David Diaz. “Tickets continue to be sold out. That’s been encouraging.”
Riders drop off and pick up e-bikes at the new mobility hub at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Other cyclists have stopped by the hub to simply rest and hang out after taking a long ride to the Santa Fe Dam, he said.
ActiveSGV’s next mobility hub will be at Peck Road Water Conservation Park in Arcadia.
Diaz said residents have shared that they don’t feel safe riding bikes alongside vehicle traffic. The mobility hubs help encourage people to enjoy cycling along car-free paths, he said.
“We want to be able to activate and provide opportunities for people to discover the Rio Hondo and the San Gabriel River and parallel and adjacent parks and areas in a positive way that is currently not available to them,” he said. “It’s really important to be able to provide opportunities for people to safely recreate and build community in the community that they live in.”
Although I am ecstatic over new opportunities for people to be outdoors, I still remain cautiously optimistic. One of my biggest questions for García-González was: How do you ensure these new community-led green spaces and projects don’t lead to gentrification?
Riders stand near the ActiveSGV e-bike they checked out through a new free bike rental program.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
Part of it, she said, is learning from other projects’ mistakes.
A few years ago, a delegation of officials from L.A. County Department of Parks and Recreation, the county Department of Public Works and the county Department of Economic Opportunity, which specifically works with small businesses and “high road” employers, traveled to Georgia to learn from leaders involved in the Atlanta Beltline. The project, organized over unused railroad lines, will be a 22-mile loop of trails and parks when complete, stretching through dozens of neighborhoods, “creating a vibrant public space for recreation, commerce, and cultural expression. Along the path, you can find new restaurants, breweries, art galleries, local businesses, and experience moving arts and cultural exhibits and programs,” according to the Beltline website.
The main criticism of the Atlanta Beltline has been how its leaders failed to effectively finance and build affordable housing within and around the project and how rents and property taxes skyrocketed, displacing Black residents who lived in and around the project area.
A cyclist takes an electric bike from ActiveSGV’s new rental booth at Santa Fe Dam Recreation Area for a ride.
(Ronaldo Bolaños / Los Angeles Times)
The Beltline “lost its way from a transit and trails project to this transformative real estate development project,” Daniel Immergluck, a professor emeritus at Georgia State University who was a co-author of the 2017 study on home values, told the New York Times.
Development of green spaces along the L.A. River has raised similar concerns.
Times contributor Jireh Deng spoke to Jon Christensen, director of the Laboratory for Environmental Narrative Strategies at UCLA, who said river revitalization can be part of a “green gentrification cycle” as new development pushes out old communities.
Deng wrote that this creates a “chicken-and-egg paradox” where it’s difficult to discern which came first: “the amenities surrounding the L.A. River or the more affluent people seeking them.”
A drone photo of the Los Angeles skyline and Los Angeles River.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“When people are more connected to nature, they want to support nature more,” Christensen said of his studies on how people connect to the outdoors. “It’s really kind of a virtuous cycle there.”
García-González said gentrification was “front and center” for the L.A. County group when its members visited the Beltline.
She said part of what she learned from studying the project is that the Beltline evolved into more of an infrastructure project, and the private sector jumped at the opportunity to buy land, housing and businesses around the project, contributing to the gentrification of local neighborhoods.
That’s part of the reason that L.A. County is focused on small projects and not securing “huge infrastructure dollars,” García-González said, and is working with longtime community organizations, meeting monthly to discuss funding opportunities, project ideas and more.
A bicyclist rides on the L.A. River Path near Lewis MacAdams Riverfront Park along the Los Angeles River.
(Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times)
“I will also say that a key piece is making sure there can be, in the future, land banking for housing and affordable housing that comes as we’re activating community spaces and utilizing these rivers,” she said, referencing the public L.A. County Land Bank.
As a journalist, I think it’s important to hold government accountable while also acknowledging when a government initiative seems to be on the right track. I hope to do both with the Urban Natureways project. I hope this project opens up opportunities for residents, regardless of ZIP Code, to have a green space near them where they can find reprieve from heat and are able to find joy in being outdoors.
3 things to do
Cyclists travel down a car-free street in Pasadena.
(CicLAvia Los Angeles)
1. Pedal through car-free Pasadena
CicLAvia will host a 2.7-mile car-free street festival from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday in Pasadena. Guests can walk or roll (or dance) along a closed segment of Colorado Boulevard, visiting local businesses and community organizations along the way. Only people-powered vehicles are allowed, with specific rules for e-bikes. It has been 11 years since CicLAvia had an event in Pasadena. Learn more at ciclavia.org.
2. Venture through history near Mountain Center
The Friends of the Desert Mountains will host a hiking tour of Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail corridor from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday around Mountain Center. Participants will hike short segments at various points of interest along Highway 74, learning about history, culture and politics along the way. Register at eventbrite.com.
3. Take field notes in Calabasas
The Santa Monica Mountains Fund will host an archaeology day from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the Santa Monica Mountains Interagency Visitor Center (26876 Mulholland Highway in Calabasas). Guests will hear from Indigenous cultural leaders and can practice throwing an atlatl spear, view local artifacts and become a junior archaeologist (with a special patch). Register at eventbrite.com.
The must-read
(Kaitlin Brito / For The Times)
The winter holiday season is rapidly approaching. No, I haven’t bought any gifts either! If you’re already feeling behind, I have good news: The Times published its annual Gift Guide earlier this month, and it includes 24 recommendations that I put together, with my colleague Deborah Vankin, for the best gifts for hikers, walkers and campers. The list includes smaller items such as a loupe and “backcountry bidet” and bigger-ticket items including Topo Designs’ Klettersack, the backpack I take with me on most Wild hikes. As I mentioned in our guide: “Over the last four years, I’ve easily hiked over 100 miles with the Klettersack on my back — including once when I dropped it off the side of a mountain and into a river — and it was fine!”
And as a bonus: Check out our 2024 and 2025 outdoor gift recommendations, which we still stand by!
Happy adventuring,
P.S.
I camped in tents this past weekend in rural Oklahoma with several dear friends. The first night, the temperature dipped to the low 40s (maybe lower). After we went to bed, my friends started talking about how cold they were. I stayed silent, as I didn’t want to rub in how warm I was. In fact, I was a little hot. I’ve learned a lot since becoming an outdoors journalist about how to camp comfortably — after camping plenty of times uncomfortably (including one particularly frigid night near Weaverville while writing a guide to the Trinity Alps). I wanted to share a few quick tips as we head into winter. A common mistake people make is going to bed in sweaty clothing they’ve worn all day, including that day’s socks and underwear. I always save a fresh set of clothes when car camping that I will only sleep in. My tent pajamas usually include an ethically sourced wool long-sleeve shirt as my base layer, some fleece or wool base thermal underwear, and wool socks (usually these that I wrote about in the 2024 Gift Guide). I hope this information helps keep you cozy on your next camping trip!
For more insider tips on Southern California’s beaches, trails and parks, check out past editions of The Wild. And to view this newsletter in your browser, click here.
Afcon 2027 qualifying: Ghana register first win against Somalia
Ghana belatedly kick-started their 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifying campaign with a 2-0 home win over Somalia.
The Black Stars had lost their opening two Group C matches against Ivory Coast and The Gambia, leading to the departure of coach Carlos Queiroz by mutual consent.
Ghana women’s coach Kim Bjorkegren was placed in interim charge for this month’s double-header against the Ocean Stars, with the West Africans in danger of missing a second successive edition of the Afcon finals.
The hosts were given a chance to take an early lead in Sekondi-Takoradi after Alidu Seidu was pulled down in the box, but Jordan Ayew’s 14th-minute penalty was saved by Somalia goalkeeper Ibrahim Hussein.
Ghana did go ahead in first-half stoppage time when Mohammed Salisu headed Mohammed Kudus’s deep corner back across goal and Jonas Adjetey nodded in from six yards out.
Felix Afena-Gyan doubled the Black Stars’ advantage just after the hour mark when his shot from inside the box squirmed under Hussein and over the line.
The result puts the four-time continental champions three points behind Ivory Coast and The Gambia, who meet in Bouake at 19:00 GMT.
Cameroon and Senegal are also in action later on Thursday.
Elsewhere, Newcastle United striker Yoane Wissa opened the scoring as DR Congo continued their perfect start with a 3-1 win over Sierra Leone in Kinshasa.
The Leopards are on nine points at the top of Group E, five points ahead of Zimbabwe and Equatorial Guinea after those two sides drew 0-0.
Nigeria were handed a boost after Group L leaders Guinea-Bissau could only manage a 1-1 draw in their away tie against Madagascar in neutral Morocco.
The Super Eagles trail Guinea-Bissau by four points ahead of their home game against Tanzania on Friday (16:00 GMT).
Tanzania are assured of a place at Afcon 2027 as tournament co-hosts, with the other three sides battling for one qualification spot.
Al Jazeera reports from Gaza hospital attacked by Israel | Newsfeed
Al Jazeera’s Tareq Abu Azzoum reports on the aftermath of an Israeli strike on Nasser Hospital where an overnight Israeli airstrike devastated the surgical department destroying medical facilities and leaving parts of the hospital out of service. At least six Palestinians were killed and 30 wounded in the attack.
Published On 12 Nov 2026
Home sales in the US are at their lowest level since 2016 | Inflation News
Home sales dropped 5.5 percent in October, the lowest level since August 2010.
Published On 12 Nov 2026
Sales of previously owned homes in the US have hit the lowest level since 2010 as mortgage rates hover above 7 percent.
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Thursday that home sales dropped 5.5 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.75 million units. That was the lowest level since August 2010.
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“Home buying is difficult when mortgage rates have climbed to their highest levels since 2000, aside from a single month in 2023. As a result, home sales fell to their lowest level since August 2010,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun.
He said, “It is just a tough market for buyers and sellers.”
“Sales decreased by 8.8 percent year-over-year,” the NAR report found. “Month-over-month sales declined in the Midwest, South and West and held steady in the Northeast. Year-over-year sales declined in all four regions.”
The home sales used in the report are counted at the closing of a contract and are a look at previously occupied ones. October’s sales likely reflected contracts signed in August and September.
“Despite fewer transactions in October, the 88 million homeowners across the country are largely in a comfortable financial position due to sizable housing wealth accumulation,” said the report.
First-time buyers accounted for just 29 percent of home purchases last month, down from 31 percent in September and 32 percent in October last year, NAR said. First-time buyers have historically made up closer to 40 percent of home sales.
The US housing market has been in a slump since 2022, when mortgage rates increased from pandemic-era lows. Sales of previously occupied US homes were essentially flat last year, stuck at a 30-year low. Yun expects home sales this year will likely end up lower than in 2025.
The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was 7.33 percent in October, according to the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, more commonly known as Freddie Mac, up from 6.86 percent in September and 6.25 percent one year ago.
The rate, however, averaged 7.18 percent last week, down from 7.24 percent in the previous week.
Rates on home loans are influenced by inflation, Federal Reserve policy and bond-market investors’ expectations for the economy, among other factors. They generally follow the trajectory of the 10-year Treasury yield, which lenders use as a guide to pricing home loans.
Until the past few weeks, mortgage rates had been on the rise since late February, when the US war with Iran began, pushing up the price of oil and driving inflation higher. The run-up in rates also reflected heightened bond market volatility, which led to rising yields on US Treasuries.
Geordie Shore’s Marnie Simpson admits she regrets all of her surgery after spending thousands on lips, boobs and bum
GEORDIE Shore star Marnie Simpson has admitted she regrets every cosmetic surgery procedure she’s ever had.
The reality TV favourite, 34, made the bombshell confession during a candid appearance on the Private Parts podcast, where she opened up about her changing appearance and struggles with confidence.
Marnie, who has previously undergone cosmetic procedures on her breasts and bum, as well as having lip enhancements, insisted she has never been happy with the results.
She admitted: “There’s not a single plastic surgery that I have done that I’ve liked. Not one.”
And the star revealed that becoming a mum has completely changed her outlook, saying she would do everything possible to stop her daughter from following the same path.
When asked by host Amy Hart how she would approach the subject with her children, Marnie confessed: “Now that I’ve got my daughter I know this is so hypocritical but I will never let her have plastic surgery.
“I will just do everything I can in my power to prevent that because plastic surgery is a horrible path to go down.”
Explaining why she now regrets her decisions, the reality babe said: “It doesn’t fix the problem. You know the problem is it’s normally about a confidence thing.
“It’s not really about how you look, you know. It’s like you gotta deal with that internally.” She continued: “Every single one I’ve done I’m waking up like ‘nah’. It creates another problem that you wanna get fixed.
“A lot of my surgeries are to fix the surgery that I had done.” The star’s brutally honest confession sparked a wave of reactions from fans, with some admitting they barely recognised her.
One viewer wrote: “If I didn’t hear her voice I wouldn’t have known it’s Marnie. She still pretty just looks so different.” Another commented: “Wauw, I couldn’t recognize her!!!”
A third praised her honesty, writing: “I admire her honesty here,” while another added: “Being in the public eye must be draining.”
Stars of China 2026 | Global Finance Magazine
China’s Financial Sector Looks Abroad.
When the world thinks about China, it envisions dazzling cities, technological prowess, and the ubiquitous “Made in China” label. Less visible is the powerful financial industry that helps drive the nation’s economic growth.
But global awareness of China’s banks, asset managers, and other financial-sector firms is growing: driven by a government-led campaign called “baotuan chuhai” (“band together to expand overseas”), a sector-wide commitment to supporting domestic consumers in a challenging market, and the rapid adoption of pioneering digital solutions including AI.
The winners of Global Finance’s 2026 Stars of China awards play a key role in building the sector’s profile, often in more ways than one.
Trade finance, foreign exchange, and other services underpin the financial sector’s support for baotuan chuhai, which urges Chinese enterprises to work together to build industrial supply chains abroad. The campaign aims to establish overseas factories, warehouses, and logistics by leveraging Chinese financing and business-to-business collaboration. Consider three of the financial sector’s recent achievements in promoting Chinese business abroad.
Sustainable Finance Deal of the Year winner Bank of China sponsored a round-the-world roadshow this past summer to encourage internationalization of the renminbi and China’s CIPS system—an alternative to Swift—with stops in France, Chile, Kenya, and eight other countries.
Best Corporate Bank winner ICBC reported its international currency settlements volume grew 45% from January to June 2026. And Best Bank for Green Bonds winner China Merchants Bank issued $600 million in green bonds in September to fund a major expansion project at CATL, an international supplier of vehicle and storage batteries based in Fujian.
These efforts piggyback off long-running programs dominated by state banks, policy banks, and state-run corporations, such as the Belt and Road Initiative and China’s renminbi internationalization campaign. The Hong Kong Stock exchange and Southbound Stock Connect program have facilitated investments by qualified Chinese investors. Now, global payment and settlement services are expanding with guidance from the People’s Bank of China, whose Vice President Lu Lei laid out a goal in August for China to take the lead in elevating the world’s payments clearing industry. China is working with Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and other jurisdictions to build a digital channel between the yuan and multiple other currencies for cross-border clearing.
Wu Wei, president of Hang Seng Bank (China), is among the bankers promoting a “global business layout” for Chinese companies. “More and more enterprises are moving toward a ‘going overseas system’ for assets to establish a complete supply chain for operating locally in target markets,” he told media outlet Sina Finance in August.
More foreign funds, meanwhile, are flowing into China. Last year, investors lined up for China’s first sovereign green bond, issued on the London Stock Exchange, and foreign bank-purchased panda bonds were expected to raise a record amount in 2026.
Yet, foreign investment levels pale beside the resources dispatched by China’s banks to support the homegrown science and technology sector, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and the nation’s half-billion consumer households. Banks have also responded creatively to challenges tied to the AI race, a soft real estate market, and unstable trade relations with the U.S. and Europe. Consider two steps taken to bolster retail bank customers.
Best Consumer Bank award winner Postal Savings Bank of China is one of several institutions accommodating the accelerating movement of consumer funds from savings accounts into higher-yielding wealth management products. CITIC Group analysts predicted such products will grow 12% nationwide in 2026. And Best Consumer Lending award winner ICBC is encouraging home sales through mortgages arranged with property developers and real estate agencies.
“Meeting the needs of China’s consumers is a fundamental requirement for ICBC to uphold the political and people-centric nature of financial work,” a bank statement noted.
Digital tools, meanwhile, are streamlining financial operations across the board. China Construction Bank’s Huidongni app offers credit applications to its 11 million SME clients while YOUMY Family Office provides AI-powered advisory services. YOUMY Founder Song Ying said, “With risk management at the core, we leverage financial and legal tools to create value.”
Whether working abroad or at home, China’s value-building financial sector is getting more attention.
METHODOLOGY
Global Finance editors select the winners of the Stars of China awards using information provided in entries and independent research based on both objective and subjective factors. It is not necessary to enter to win, but an entry can provide details that may not be publicly available. The editors incorporate insights from executives, academics, and other industry experts. Judgments are based on performance from September 2025 to September 2026. We apply an algorithm to arrive at a numerical score on a 100-point scale. The algorithm incorporates criteria—including knowledge of local conditions and customers, financial strength and safety, strategic relationships, capital investment, and innovation in products and services—weighted for relative importance.
MEET THE WINNERS
A Chinese company with global reach and more than 1,000 upstream suppliers sought to strengthen its international competitiveness by overhauling its treasury department. Ready to help was ICBC, this year’s Best Corporate Bank award winner, a global treasury services provider for about 17,000 of its 14.4 million corporate customers. The bank resolved the company’s funds’ visibility, capital allocation, foreign exchange rate, and cross-border liquidity issues.
Treasury management is just one area of corporate banking where ICBC excels—and helps its clients grow, particularly Chinese companies expanding overseas. The bank has broadened its “Going Global” initiative by expanding credit support in trade finance; the volume of its international currency settlements grew 45% from January to June, underscoring its role in overseas corporate growth. As of June, ICBC’s corporate loan balance exceeded 18.5 trillion yuan. Last year, it disbursed corporate loans worth more than 10 trillion yuan and underwrote more than 560 billion yuan in corporate bonds.
BEST CONSUMER BANK
Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC)
A retail consumer migration from bank savings accounts to bank-administered wealth management products has grown. The shift, promoted by government policy and encouraged by savings account rates hovering near zero, has helped drive growth and elevated customer service at Postal Savings Bank of China (PSBC), this year’s Best Consumer Bank.
PSBC serves the Main Street economy through some 40,000 outlets nationwide. It has about 681 million clients and that number is growing. Total assets increased 9% year-on-year to 18.6 trillion yuan in 2025 while assets under management climbed to 18.3 trillion yuan, due partly to wealth management expansion. That growth has been encouraged by PSBC’s development of urban wealth management and private banking centers for high-end clients. It also improved wealth management services for retail clients, addressing the bank’s mission to serve every facet of the income spectrum.
BEST BANK FOR SUPPLY CHAIN FINANCE
Guangfa
In China, a typical manufacturer’s supply chain includes geographically dispersed suppliers with a range of credit profiles that can lead to long waits for bank loan approvals. China Guangfa Bank has addressed this challenge by streamlining credit processing with timesaving, industry-leading techniques, earning it the Best Bank for Supply Chain Finance award.
The bank’s innovation dovetails with its mission to support industrial chain finance as a means of bolstering the nation’s economy. Guangfa has streamlined its credit process by setting credit limits according to groups of enterprise subsidiaries and affiliates, using fintech to slash loan processing to 24 hours from 72 hours. It also expanded cooperative links to all of China’s joint-stock commercial banks. Beyond credit processing, it offers a comprehensive supply chain finance platform, Guangfutong, and E-Chain Discounting, a settlements service, which cuts bill management costs for suppliers.
BEST AI STRATEGY IN BANKING
China Merchants Bank (CMB)
The strategy was simple: China Merchants Bank (CMB) set a course for excellence in digital finance by edopting an “AI First” philosophy. In doing so, CMB has promoted AI development and application at all levels to improve workflow, risk management, and retail finance, earning it the Best Bank in AI Strategy award.
The impact of AI First is reflected in, for example, a tenfold increase in average daily token throughput handled by CMB’s 80,000-plus staffers between 2024 and 2025. That was the result of giving 450 employees AI tools through the bank’s FinGPT Large Model Creative Center. A digital assistance system that streamlines communication between middle-office and public-facing staffers topped 3.79 million questions and answers in 2025 while improvements in risk management prevented more than 540,000 suspected telecom fraud transactions. Moreover, CMB credits AI with driving wealth management product growth, boosting bond underwriting, and increasing the value of the bank’s corporate wealth management business to an industry-leading 600 billion yuan.
BEST PANDA BOND ARRANGER
DBS China
Investor appetite for China’s foreigner-friendly panda bonds was expected to hit a record high in 2026; with analysts predicting that total volume would top 200 billion yuan. Supporting and benefiting from the feeding frenzy is DBS China, voted the Best Panda Bond Arranger.
With a quarter-century of experience in Chinese debt capital markets, the subsidiary of Singapore’s DBS ranked first among foreign banks in panda bond issues for financial institutions and sovereign governments. The business is healthy; last year, the bank participated in nine issues worth a total of 35 billion yuan for Barclays Bank, Malaysia’s CIMB Bank, and others. DBS China served as joint lead underwriter on a 5.5-billion-yuan bond issue for Deutsche Bank in March and a 7 billion-yuan bond issue for the Republic of Indonesia four months later.
It’s a mark of creativity as well as a sign of the times when a bank taps China’s data center buildout for debt instruments. ICBC has done exactly that by arranging the use of data center cabinet leases as underlying assets for asset-backed securities (ABS), helping the bank win the Best Debt Bank award.
The digital-age securitization project was launched last year as a new financing model and the first green, ownership-type real estate ABS for China’s fast-growing data center industry. Debt financing is an ICBC specialty. Between April 2025 and March 2026, it successfully closed 208 debt financing projects, including 26 ABS deals, in sectors including transportation, energy, local government, logistics, and tourism. ICBC has a special knack for adjusting to new markets; for example, it tapped into the value of intellectual property assets by turning intangible assets into financing capital. In another recent ABS project, it helped finance energy-saving upgrades for a heavy-equipment manufacturer.
BEST EQUITY CAPITAL MARKETS BANK
Shanghai Pudong Development Bank
A closely regulated equities trading arrangement lets international investors in China buy Shanghai- and Shenzhen-listed stocks and mainland investors buy Hong Kong-listed shares. To encourage this so-called northbound and southbound investment arrangement—and steer funds into science and technology firms—Shanghai Pudong Development Bank recently launched the Hong Kong-Shanghai Innovation and Technology Incubator, securing it the Best Equity Capital Markets Bank award.
With locations in Shanghai and Hong Kong, the project is designed to build a financial services system promoting science and technology innovation and investment road shows, with the goal of raising capital through markets on both sides of the border. The initiative is also a means of enhancing cross-border financial development. Appropriately, the kickoff gathering was timed to coincide with the opening of an SPDB branch in Hong Kong.
INVESTMENT BANKING DEAL OF THE YEAR
Unitree
Investors clamored for shares at the August stock-market debut of Unitree Robotics, whose humanoid robots famously boxed for German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and played ping-pong at the recent World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing. A key player behind the scenes of the highly successful IPO was lead underwriter CITIC Securities, winner of the Investment Banking Deal of the Year award.
The prospectus noted that Unitree, the international name for Yushu Technology Co., received its first CITIC investment in 2024. The bank then helped raise more than 6 billion yuan on the Shanghai Stock Exchange’s STAR Market, which focuses on technology stocks, exceeding Unitree’s 4.2 billion-yuan target. Unitree is one of many CITIC success stories in the tech sector; in the first half of this year, the firm reported equity underwritings totaling 20.7 billion yuan on the STAR Market.
SUSTAINABLE FINANCE DEAL OF THE YEAR
Bank of China
Investor demand vastly exceeded expectations for China’s first sovereign green bond issue on the London Stock Exchange’s International Securities Market. A key partner for the successful Ministry of Finance fundraiser—Global Finance’s Sustainable Finance Deal of the Year—was Bank of China.
Along with other institutions, BOC served as a joint bookrunner, joint lead manager, and green structuring advisor for the April 2025 issuance, which raised 41.58 billion yuan, nearly seven times more than expected. The oversubscription highlighted strong investor interest in supporting the Chinese government’s green initiatives as well as the bank’s skills as a green bond underwriter with global clout. BOC ranked first on the interbank market in 2025 for underwriting volume with more than 428 billion yuan in domestic green bond issues.
MOST INNOVATIVE ASSET MANAGER
Taikang Asset Management
Applying AI solutions to the financial challenges of an aging population is a skill in high demand in China and mastered by Shanghai-based Taikang Asset Management, winner of the Most Innovative Asset Manager award.
The firm, a subsidiary of Taikang Insurance Group, has adopted an AI-enhanced approach to research that has yielded efficiency gains deepened insight into the market. It has also injected real-time, AI-powered data analysis into fund settlement while integrating a fund clearing system and investment management platform, resulting in less risk and more accurate investment decisions. Beyond AI improvements, Taikang has embraced a central government call to shore up pension finance.
As of June, the firm was managing 1.4 trillion yuan in annuity funds and basic pension funds, serving provinces and municipalities across the country. Additionally, Taikang’s investments also support retirement communities and about 40 health care companies. Looking to the technological future, the firm recently announced a plan to apply AI tools to grow its pension finance business.
BEST BANK FOR OVERSEAS BRANCH SERVICES
CITIC
Given China’s cross-border capital controls, credit card purchases can be complicated for the hundreds of thousands of Chinese students attending universities and other schools overseas. That’s why China CITIC Bank recently upgraded a credit card program specifically for youths studying abroad and their families, garnering the Best Bank for Overseas Branch Services award.
When it was launched in 2023, the “Youth Bank” program offered a Visa card only. But in August, CITIC expanded the study-abroad program’s services to cover students aged 14 and up. It added American Express, Union Pay, and Mastercard, including cash-back schemes, foreign exchange fee waivers, and other perks. Moreover, parents can monitor and control spending. The international arm of CITIC Bank operates a limited number of overseas branches in New York, Los Angeles, London, Singapore, and Hong Kong, but Chinese students can swipe and tap anywhere their Youth Bank credit card is accepted.
STAR OF HONG KONG
China Construction Bank (Asia)
In areas from cross-border wealth management to renminbi internationalization, Hong Kong financial institutions have embraced the city’s first five-year plan for economic and social development, which formally launched in September. Leading the banking sector in support of the plan is this year’s Star of Hong Kong, China Construction Bank (Asia).
As the Hong Kong branch of a mainland giant, CCB (Asia) functions as a bridge between Chinese enterprises and international markets through automated cross-border settlements, by servicing Belt and Road Initiative projects. It is also the top payment agent and trustee for offshore bonds issued by mainland enterprises. The bank also boasts 17% of market share for mainland-to-Hong Kong wealth management investment flows, complementing the five-year plan’s goal of bolstering Hong Kong as a center for cross-border wealth management. CCB (Asia) reported a 91% year-over-year increase in total new retail customers in 2025.
BEST CONSUMER LENDING BANK
ICBC
Stabilizing the country’s wobbly property market and stimulating consumption are near the top of a state-directed list of priorities for banks across China. Leading the financial industry’s charge is ICBC, hands-down the Best Consumer Lending Bank.
The wide array of credit products and services offered by ICBC underscores its commitment in the consumer space. An example is the Housing Ecosystem-plus portfolio, which includes loans for home renovation, parking space, and property auction loan packages. The bank also supports property market stability by offering mortgages in cooperation with property developers and real estate agencies. Its retail finance products include an online- and offline-available digitized loan application tool that can generate an answer for a client in seconds.
ICBC is paying special attention to fresh university graduates, the elderly, and consumers who migrate to urban centers from rural areas. Working with auto manufacturers, it promotes loans to consumers who swap older vehicles for new rides. Between January and June, the bank’s total personal loans rose 100 billion yuan to more than 8 trillion yuan.
BEST BANK FOR M&A
China Merchants Bank (CMB)
By steering a home appliance manufacturer deep into the intelligent auto components business, China Merchants Bank (CMB) has proved its mettle as a leading driver of mergers & acquisitions, making it the winner of the Best Bank for M&A award.
Haier Group’s 2025 acquisition of a controlling stake in Autohome is just one of several high-stakes deals arranged by CMB in the past year. The flurry of activity, generating deal-making volume of more than 250 billion yuan, points to what the bank as a friendlier policy environment for M&A and a boom for business integration in China over the past year.
CMB arranged a syndicated loan for the privatization of Dongfeng Motor, an asset restructuring for coal giant China Shenhua, and Xinchao Energy’s takeover by Inner Mongolia Yitai Coal. Setting the stage for future deals, CMB this year upgraded its Investment Advisor platform to better facilitate equity financing roadshows. The platform serves as a communication channel for buyers and sellers, offering planning, transaction design, financing scheme building, and due diligence support.
BEST BANK FOR BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION
Bohai Bank
Eleven years have passed since the cities of Beijing and Tianj in joined nearby Hebei Province in a cooperative push to strengthen the regional economy, which boasts an 11.5 trillion-yuan GDP and a population of more than 100 million. In May, Bank of Beijing adjusted its focus and injected fresh impetus through an agreement with Tianjin-based Bohai Bank, earning it the Best Bank for Business Transformation award.
Bank of Beijing is the two-bank agreement’s big brother, with total assets of 4.7 trillion, more than twice that of Bohai Bank. At a signing ceremony in Tianjin, Bank of Beijing President Dai Wei reportedly said he “looks forward to comprehensively deepening multi-field business collaboration with Bohai Bank, deepening pragmatic cooperation, and achieving mutual benefit and win-win outcomes.”
Together, the banks pledged to cooperate in areas including corporate finance, syndicated loans, transaction banking, and wealth management. The goal is to further develop the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region by collaborating on financing regional infrastructure construction, industrial upgrading, environmental protection, and public services.
BEST PRIVATE BANK
Bank of China
China’s private banking clients are on the move, traveling for business and pleasure around the world. Bank of China has them always covered through a mobile platform and related services, contributing to its profile as Best Private Bank.
BOC offers face-to-face interaction with its bankers and investment advisors at more than 200 private banking centers in mainland cities as well as Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, and London. Since January, it has offered worldwide access to services through its Global Personal Financial Services, which integrates the bank’s mainland mobile banking platform and a globally accessible platform linked to its Hong Kong subsidiary.
Services at the client’s fingertips include an overview of cross-border accounts and customized asset allocations, remittances, and localized services in more than 10 countries outside China. BOC’s private banking base has accordingly grown to 216,900 clients with a combined 3.4 trillion yuan in assets under management.
BEST PRIVATE BANK FOR SUSTAINABLE INVESTING
Bank of Communications
Private banking and China’s largest mangrove forest are growing together thanks to Bank of Communications, winner of the Best Bank for Sustainable Investing award. The bank is leveraging its 1.43 trillion yuan in assets under management to support marine protection projects in the Zhanjiang Mangrove National Nature Reserve, a refuge for hundreds of bird species in otherwise heavily developed Guangdong Province.
Conservation is one of BOCOM Private Bank’s six areas of charitable services, complementing rural revitalization, assistance for the disabled, support for the elderly and children, cultural and education grants, and medical assistance. These services contribute to the bank’s mission to support client aspirations both for wealth accumulation and giving back.
BEST PRIVATE BANK FOR ENTREPRENEURS
China Construction Bank
Given their grueling work schedules, dedicated entrepreneurs can use a private bank that addresses personal lifestyle as well as business needs. Over the past year, China Construction Bank has upgraded its integrated services for business owners with the pledge to cover “personal, family, corporate, and social needs,” winning the Best Private Bank for Entrepreneurs award.
The upgraded contributed to adding nearly 100,000 entrepreneurs as clients. Growth areas include credit products for entrepreneurs with mid-sized and large enterprises, controlling shareholders of listed companies, founders of tech start-ups, and owners of industrial chains. On the personal side, CCB offers various trusts, health management and travel services. On the business side are customized asset allocation, equity financing, and capital-markets investment support. CCB has also beefed up its digital platform with a dedicated e-Private Banking service for entrepreneurs that’s slashed the time needed for client solutions in areas including investment banking and trust data channels.
BEST PRIVATE BANK FOR ULTRA-HIGH NET WORTH INDIVIDUALS
Ping An Bank
The famous saying about wealthy families, “shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations” is now being tested in China, where younger generations are inheriting wealth earned after the reform-and-opening-up period began in 1978. Ping An Bank, winner of the Best Bank for Ultra-High Net Worth Individuals, aims to help families prosper well beyond the third generation through its network of family offices.
In addition to offering financial and lifestyle-related services, the family office division of Ping An’s private bank promotes family spirit and inheritance through a raft of personalized services. Wealth and health management, philanthropy, children’s education services, and tax planning are among the offerings. At the end of 2025, Ping An reported serving a substantial number of ultra-high net worth individuals among its 105,600 private bank clients, with more than 1.9 trillion yuan in assets under management.
BEST WEALTH MANAGEMENT PROVIDER
YOUMY Family Office
AI-powered advisory services driven by a buy-side mindset have contributed mightily to growth and performance for YOUMY Family Office, Global Finance’sj choice for Best Wealth Management Provider. The Shanghai-based firm serves thousands of clients from China’s so-called emerging affluent class along with some 500 ultra – high net worth families.
Assets under management at the Shanghai-based firm jumped 32% to $2.1 billion between 2024 and 2025. This propelled a 44% increase in total revenue over that period and including a jump in assets from the high-net worth and ultra-high net worth client categories. YOUMY’s proprietary advisory navigation system for its office consultants and clients—the so-called “C System”—integrates budget simulators and securities portfolio advice. The firm has also embedded AI into office teams.
BEST BANK FOR SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE
Bank of China
Waste-to-energy and recycling projects are gaining traction as part of China’s “zero-waste cities” initiative, whose goals include landfill waste reduction. Deeply involved in these and other, sustainability projects is Bank of China, recognized as Best Bank for Sustainable Infrastructure.
BOC participated in raising 300 million yuan last year for a company that builds end-to-end waste treatment systems and currently handles more than 13 million tons of urban waste annually. The bank’s sustainable infrastructure contributions range from Yangtze River and Yellow River conservation projects to emissions reduction efforts in the Greater Bay Area to the Yulin water diversion project. BOC’s total green lending balance surpassed 4.96 trillion yuan last year. Beyond China, it promotes global best practices in sustainable development and is working to facilitate international cooperation on sustainability in 64 countries.
BEST BANK FOR GREEN BONDS
China Merchants Bank
It’s been a big year for green bonds at China Merchants Bank, winner of the Best Bank for Green Bonds award. Highlights include the first-ever bonds supporting emissions controls at China’s seaports; a bond issue to facilitate the installation of low-carbon streetlights and sewer improvements in rural areas; and bonds to benefit the giant battery manufacturer CATL, aimed at expanding production, solid-state battery research, and battery recycling infrastructure.
Through the year ending March 31, CMB participated in 64 green bond projects with total issuance volume worth nearly 123 billion yuan. Its 41 corporate clients allocated the proceeds for wind power, pumped power storage, industrial waste recycling, clean urban transportation, and low-carbon industrial parks. Other projects reflecting CMB’s commitment to sustainability include a 2 billion-yuan Shanghai International Port Group bond issue, which supports a project to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 321,000 tons annually.
BEST BANK FOR CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
China Construction Bank
It’s been 16 years since China Construction Bank became the first among its domestic peers to formulate a complete strategy for social responsibility. Today, CCB continues to lead in serving the public, supporting environmental protection, and pursuing sustainable development, earning it the Best Bank for Corporate Social Responsibility award.
CCB has organized its head office and branch staff members to volunteer for a program that dispatches special healthcare vehicles and caregivers for pregnant women in poor, remote areas. Through the program, titled Health Express for Mothers, the bank donated 101 million yuan for 654 vehicles in 25 provinces last year. The bank financially supports environmental protection in the Sanjianyuan National Park as well as education programs for needy children. It has also been deeply involved in relief efforts following the 2025 Wang Fuk Court residential complex fire in Hong Kong. Each program is backed by a Social Responsibility and Consumer Protection Committee under the CCB Board of Directors.
MOST INNOVATIVE BANK
ICBC
Retail bank customers in China requiring human interaction often wait in long lines for turns at a teller window. But a high-tech solution to long waits, called Remote Teller Service, is providing an alternative at about 15,000 branches of ICBC, winner of the Most Innovative Bank award.
The system gives any customer who can operate a simple computer rapid access to an array of services. While seated at a branch outlet workstation, the customer can access their account through facial recognition and interact with a live teller through videoconferencing. It’s highly efficient; a single remote teller can cover up to eight outlets. Transfers, credit applications, corporate account adjustments, and access to more than 30 wealth management products are some of the services available. Processes that used to take hours are now completed in minutes, with no line.
BEST INNOVATION IN PAYMENTS
AsiaPay
China’s leadership in emissions control policymaking has the backing of the country’s financial sector, particularly from public-facing firms like payment services provider AsiaPay. The Hong Kong-based digital solutions vendor now offers thousands of retailers a way to offset their purchases’ carbon footprints, earning AsiaPay the Best Innovation in Payments prize.
The firm’s year-old GreenPay Ecosystem initiative offers a unique “carbon emissions API” that integrates sustainability metrics into payments, allowing merchants and consumers to track their contribution to carbon offsetting. The API calculates the carbon impact of a purchase and presents the data to the consumer at the point of payment. The consumer then has the option to make a carbon offset payment, such as a roundup, via credit card or digital wallet. To date, AsiaPay reports it has recorded a 28% user engagement rate, significantly higher than the industry average for carbon offset prompts.
BEST INNOVATION IN FINTECH
China Construction Bank
Strong innovation in digital finance begins with a strong foundation. China Construction Bank has built that by computing platform incorporating AI, big data, and cloud-native architecture. Adding to CCB’s digital strengths is a project backed by the People’s Bank of China that incorporates the AI operating system GraphBus into the bank’s fintech departments. In recognition of these achievements, CCB takes China’s Best Bank for Innovation in Fintech.
The platform’s advantages range from streamlining the work of CCB’s 12,000-member research and development staff to incorporating AI across the entire application-review-approval process for the bank’s corporate credit portfolio, amounting to some 57 trillion yuan. GraphBus works with CCB’s mature systems to keep business knowledge, control rules, and operational assets under one roof. Underscoring the bank’s leadership is an offer to fintech peers: CCB announced in its Stars of China entry that it is “willing to share its fintech innovation development ideas and large-scale practical experience with global peers.”
Proficiency at preventing bottlenecks in supply chain financing sets China Guangfa Bank apart as winner of the Best Transaction Bank award.
For clients up and down industrial supply chains, as well as state-owned enterprises, Guangfa builds financial ecosystems in cooperation with government authorities and clients. It has built interconnections with more than 10 mainstream third-party supply chain platforms and is working on further connections with the self-built platforms of major state-owned enterprises and leading industrial enterprises.
The bank’s Guangfutong service is a one-stop, comprehensive supply chain finance platform for enterprises and suppliers, integrating factoring, forfaiting, commercial acceptance bill discounts, and letters of credit. The service has cut the time needed for commercial bill discounting to three hours while a bill acceptance payment now takes only 10 minutes.
A manufacturer of industrial bearings. A commercial chrysanthemum grower. A printing plant. These are a few of the enterprises highlighted in a promotional video for China Construction Bank’s Huidongni mobile app, whose success story helps explain its selection as Best SME Services Bank.
Mobile business solutions supporting a wide range of small and medium-sized enterprises contributed to CCB’s outstanding credit balance of more than 12 trillion yuan as of March; more than 11 million SMEs use the app, accounting for about 23% of total loans to such businesses by China’s Big Six state banks.
Huidongni was a Chinese banking industry first when it was launched in 2018. Since then, the app has streamlined processing loan applications for up to 10 million yuan as well as the approval, disbursement, and repayment processes. Altogether, it currently serves about 16 million SMEs. Moreover, CCB serves its SME clients—particularly high-tech firms—with a comprehensive equity investment and financing service system to help raise funds through capital markets.
BEST ASSET MANAGER
SPDB International Investment Management
Navigating an intricate regulatory landscape is all in a day’s work for asset management firms doing business in China. Even more navigation falls to China’s offshore asset management firms, including SPDB International Investment Management, winner of the Best Asset Manager award.
A subsidiary of Shanghai Pudong Development Bank, SPDBI has delivered outstanding returns while embracing complex cross-border programs such as China’s Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor scheme, Limited Partnership Funds in primary markets, and Open-ended Fund Companies in Hong Kong’s secondary markets. On the mainland, the firm manages equity investments and yuan-denominated industrial funds.
SPDBI’s segregated account mandates total US$930 million while its U.S.-dollar money market fund has delivered weekly yields of 4% and its mainland-Hong Kong equities investment fund posted a 29% annualized return rate in January.
DBS is this year’s champion in China’s ongoing campaign to accelerate acceptance of the renminbi, or yuan, as a go-to for international transactions. Together with DBS (China), its mainland subsidiary, and DBS Hong Kong, the Singapore-based bank has built strong onshore-offshore linkages to facilitate renminbi flows. These include seamless cross-border flows for Chinese companies with offshore entities, access to trade financing for financial institutions, clearing services, and foreign-investor access to Chinese markets.
Mainland clients benefiting from DBS’s commitment to renminbi internationalization range from a global e-commerce auto parts supplier to the offshore metals-trading arm of a Chinese state-owned energy group to a Chinese automation company’s subsidiary in India. DBS participates directly in the Cross-border Interbank Payment System (CIPS), the Chinese alternative to Swift, providing clients with flexible and efficient cross-border renminbi rails. For DBS, the reward is offshore renminbi cash deposits that grew 61% and non-resident alien loan balances that skyrocketed 259% between 2025 and 2026.
Green is the color of the financing engine powering ICBC’s success as Best Bank for Belt and Road. From a green intercity train line serving São Paulo to green construction practices for The New Capital office towers near Cairo, the bank supports environmentally friendly projects around the world through Belt and Road, China’s 14-year-old initiative to widen its reach in global trade and infrastructure.
ICBC has taken the lead in financing hundreds of Belt and Road projects in multiple sectors across 70 countries, making it the leader in total investment and financing through green loans and green bond underwriting. A standout example is a US$9.6 billion polyethylene complex under construction in Kazakhstan. The complex aims to help reduce emissions by utilizing gas that is currently flared at a nearby oil field and help Kazakhstan cut its imports of plastics. For the project, ICBC is leading a bank syndicate and working with Chinese contractors.
Usually private, Melania Trump steps into the spotlight after the midterm election
FORT RUCKER, Ala. — There’s a scene in Melania Trump’s documentary in which she enters the room as Donald Trump is rehearsing his inaugural address.
When he says the line about how “my proudest legacy will be that of a peacemaker,” she offers a quick, verbal edit.
“Peacemaker and unifier,” she tells her husband to say instead.
But Melania is the Trump who is credited with recently bringing peace, if only for six days, to one war-torn city in southern Ukraine — an unusual intervention into an active war by an American first lady. Two days after Republican losses in the midterm elections knocked the president out of the spotlight, Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House to celebrate the temporary ceasefire.
It’s part of a burst of public activity by a first lady regarded as among the most private women to hold the role, and it comes just before the Nov. 20 release by Prime Video of “Melania: The Series,” a follow-up to the first lady’s documentary from January.
On Thursday, the first lady headed to Alabama to address U.S. troops — her third big event since the election. It follows a trip to Louisiana last weekend to announce a multimillion-dollar private endowment to fund scholarships for college students once in foster care.
Military families are a focus for Melania Trump
The first lady has made support for military families part of her portfolio. Her latest trip has taken her to Fort Rucker, an Army post in southern Alabama, with Usha Vance, the wife of Vice President JD Vance, a former Marine.
Before a backdrop that included a duo of Apache and Blackhawk helicopters, both women during the early Thanksgiving visit on Thursday thanked an assembly of hundreds of soldiers and their families for their service to the nation.
“The sacrifices of military families don’t make the headlines, but you are the foundation for the world’s most capable military,” Melania Trump said, urging Americans who will spend the holidays with loved ones to “take a moment to think of America’s service people.”
After their remarks, both women spoke with members of the crowd, pausing to shake hands and take photos.
Later, they would spend time with elementary students attending school on the base. Last year, both women marked the Thanksgiving season with a similar visit to Marine Corps members in North Carolina, thanking them for their service and recognizing the sacrifices their families make.
On Wednesday, they both accompanied their husbands to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, for the annual Veterans Day observance.
Melania Trump says she was involved in the plans for Oleshky
The White House announced in late October that the first lady had brokered a temporary ceasefire in the Russian-occupied town of Oleshky in southern Ukraine as it faced a starvation crisis. The pause gave time for about 800 people to leave the city and allowed for deliveries of humanitarian aid to those who chose to stay.
On Thursday, Usha Vance called the first lady “a powerful voice for peace.” Last week, Melania Trump brought together at the White House officials from Russia and Ukraine who helped implement the ceasefire and talked about her role.
“I was involved in every stage of the planning,” she said. “I reviewed demining plans, aerial images, assessed roadways and discussed evacuation routes, hospital access, vehicles and medical resources. I was made aware of the preferred dates and timing of the operation.”
She thanked the Russian and Ukrainian presidents for their cooperation and said Oleshky could be the model for peace between their countries.
“Let Oleshky be the modest spark that grows into a lasting flame of peace,” she said. This week U.S. officials held talks with Russian and Ukrainian counterparts in the United Arab Emirates, but there was no breakthrough.
After the White House announced her role, President Trump said his wife is “doing better than the professionals” on his team whose shuttle diplomacy between Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy has yet to bring the nearly 5-year-old war to a close.
Her work on Oleshky followed her outreach to Putin last year as she took on the matter of helping reunite children and families separated by the war. She so far has helped return nearly three dozen children to their families.
She’ll be on the red carpet for a premiere of the Melania series
The first lady will head to New York City next week for the world premiere at Lincoln Center of “Melania: The Series.” The two new Prime Video episodes are billed as showing new aspects of her roles as wife, mother and first lady that weren’t in her documentary.
The first lady described the episodes in an interview on Fox News Channel’s “Fox & Friends” as having “more conversation, one-on-one, with me.”
The episodes, which begin streaming Nov. 20, are supposed to include some surprises, too.
“There are some private questions that I will answer that people never heard before,” she said in the interview. “So it’s kind of exciting.”
Superville writes for the Associated Press. AP writer Meg Kinnard contributed from Columbia, S.C.
UCLA men set program record for margin of victory in rout of Arkansas Pine Bluff
Serbian star Nikola Kusturica scored 17 points and Jaylen Pettit added 16 as No. 9 UCLA routed Arkansas Pine Bluff 106-37 Wednesday night and set a program record for margin of victory.
The Bruins (3-0) won by a record 69 points. UCLA’s previous largest margin of victory was 65 points, accomplished three times and most recently in a 122-57 win over Portland in 1967, a mark that stood for 59 years.
Trent Perry finished with 11 points and 11 assists for his first double-double.
Macaleab Rich led Arkansas-Pine Bluff (1-3) with 11 points.
UCLA used a 20-0 run early to build a 33-4 lead in the first half.
UCLA’s stingy defense limited Arkansas-Pine Bluff to nine points in the first half. That matched a school record for fewest points allowed. The Golden Lions’ starting five was a combined 0 for 9 from the field in the first half.
The last time the Bruins held a team to nine first-half points was against Howard on Dec. 19, 1983. The Bruins won that game 63-52 at Pauley Pavilion.
The Bruins led 51-9 at halftime. That 42-point lead is UCLA’s largest halftime advantage since the 2012-13 season. UCLA had a 63-29 lead over James Madison on Nov. 15, 2012.
The Bruins did commit 11 turnovers in the first half. The Golden Lions had 21 turnovers in the first half and finished with 30 total.
Seven Bruins had at least two steals each.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang steps down, more affair details revealed | Technology
The CEO of one of the world’s most valuable companies, Nvidia, has stepped down after reports of a second extra-marital affair. Jensen Huang’s position had been under threat after initial revelations about an affair with a suspected Chinese spy.
Published On 12 Nov 2026
Jerusalem Daily: Gaza’s Nasser Hospital hit by Israeli air strike | Newsfeed
For the seventh time, Israel has targeted Gaza’s Nasser Hospital in an air strike, further devastating an already decimated healthcare system. Palestinians are left with nowhere to shelter as heavy rainwater floods makeshift tents.
Al Jazeera’s Marah Rayan has the latest.
Published On 12 Nov 2026
ITV fans ‘can’t wait’ as ‘bittersweet’ crime drama announced
ITV has confirmed a Bridgerton actress is leading the cast for a new crime drama.
Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh stars in the new series (Image: NETFLIX)
ITV viewers have been left declaring they “can’t wait” as a new crime drama has been announced.
Following the success of ITV crime dramas including The Blame, starring Michelle Keegan, and Trigger Point’s return for a fourth season, ITV has announced a new six-part series, Protect and Serve.
It is set to star Bridgerton actress Adjoa Andoh as a detective determined to pursue the truth, regardless of the obstacles in her path. ITV has teased: “This bittersweet police drama explores the pressures faced by DI Araba Dadzie, a cop, a mother and a daughter.
“She’s a woman in that squeezed middle, juggling profession, elderly parents and children, and a woman of colour in the police force, who has risen through the ranks of her profession and knows what it costs for her to stay there. Protect and Serve draws Araba into the national scandal of Britain’s unregulated children’s care homes, a scandal she cannot ignore.”
Set in Leeds, the series sees DI Araba Dadzie embark on an investigation into a tragedy after a teenage boy is shot dead, having been living in a privately owned children’s care home with his brother since his grandfather fell ill Determined to discover why he was targeted and the motives behind his death, Araba and her team piece together parts of his life.
ITV goes on to tease: “With a reputation as a fearsome investigator, it’s taken unrelenting focus, a bleak sense of humour, a passionate love for the job and personal sacrifice for Araba to stay at the top of her game. Uncompromising and often obsessive, she is driven by her desire to offer protection to the vulnerable and retribution to those criminally abusing their power in the city she loves.”
Adjoa said: “How does a woman juggle an aging father, a chippy student daughter and a non-existent sex life, while investigating murders as a black female cop. That’s the lot of DI Araba Dadzie, Senior Investigation Officer on a Homicide and Major Enquiry Team in central Leeds. It’s a job that costs, a job that we the public need, and in spite of the challenges, it’s a job Araba feels called to, much like a priest or a teacher.
“Protect and Serve our crime show is set in the great city of Leeds. I love this city and I love the city’s football club Leeds United. I lived in Leeds as a child and half my English family have been Yorkshire sheep farmers going back to the 1600’s – hence the setting.
“I am thrilled by the team behind Protect and Serve. Polly Hill at ITV, Big Talk Studios, Jenny van der Lande, and fabulous writer Helen Black of Time fame. As mothers the national disgrace of our unregulated children’s homes is something we are all shocked by.
“How do we as a society protect our children? It’s a question that drives Araba, that drives our first season and with amazing director Nimer Rashed at the helm, hot off Netflix’ Harlen Coben thrillers, the highs and lows of this propulsive cop show, we hope, will drive audiences to keep watching and caring.”
ITV Director of Drama Polly Hill added: “I’m delighted to commission Protect and Serve as I have been wanting to find a show with Adjoa Andoh for some time. We have a shared ambition, together with Big Talk, to make a great police series that also has something to say.
“Helen Black’s scripts uncover the scandal in privatised children’s care homes while Araba lets us see what cost there is to becoming a high ranking black policewoman. It’s a show we are very proud to be making for ITV with such a great team.”
After the series was announced, one fan said: “So excited for this.” Another wrote: “Yes another decent drama.” “This will be good!” another wrote, as someone else echoed: “I can’t wait!” “ITV you win,” yet another added.
L.A. sales taxes will go up. Will firefighting response times go down?
Los Angeles is going to get more expensive next year thanks to a half-cent sales tax hike approved by voters last week, but city officials say the benefit will be a stronger fire department and faster response times.
Measure FD will generate about $345 million annually for the city Fire Department by raising the city’s retail sales tax from 10.25% to 10.75%, which is about 5 cents more for every $10 spent.
That means filling up the gas tank, eating out and shopping for clothes will all get more expensive — to the tune of roughly $86 per person on average, according to the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., which opposed the measure.
The ordinance requires a 110-day waiting period after the votes are certified on Nov. 27, and won’t kick in until the first day of the next calendar quarter, so the earliest people could see the increase would be April 1.
The sales tax hike was spearheaded by the city’s firefighters union and Councilmember Traci Park, whose district includes the Pacific Palisades community devastated by fire in January 2025.
The measure passed by roughly a 54% to 46% margin, according to the latest tally, although some mail-in ballots are still being counted.
L.A. firefighters had warned their department was in crisis long before the Palisades fire and the Eaton fire in Altadena cast a brighter light on the issue, Park said.
“These matters were urgent before, but the Palisades fire laid bare how urgent it was that this investment be made,” Park said. “The reality that it was not going to be solved inside the four walls of the city budget or by politicians inside City Hall.”
The sales tax is an unprecedented move by the city, and vital for the department to hire more personnel, open more stations and lower the department’s response times, said Doug Coates, the fire union president.
The Fire Department says its response time averages just under eight minutes — nearly double the national standards set by the National Fire Protection Assn., an international nonprofit that creates and maintains fire safety standards.
The number of firefighters in the department has stayed largely stagnant since the 1960s, according to the fire department, even as the city’s population grew. City officials say some fire stations have leaky roofs and broken HVAC systems. Broken rigs have sat unused because there was no money to fix them, Park said.
Coates said the union pushed for the sales tax as a last resort, following years of pleas to the City Council for more money, even though it would be the third sales tax hike affecting Los Angeles since 2024 (the other two sales tax hikes were countywide).
“When they call, we show up,” Coates said. “Now it appears that, really, they’ve answered our call for help.”
The Police Protective League, the union representing L.A. police officers, opposed Measure FD, objecting to the permanency of the tax and that the revenue is limited to one department. The PPL expressed concern that the extra funding would be used to spike firefighter pensions. Voters were misled into believing the tax would focus on revamping the fire department’s infrastructure, said Sgt. Chris Wecker, the union’s vice president.
The union pointed to a motion written by Councilmember Heather Hutt and Councilmember Park in May, which sought to explore giving firefighters extra pension credit for mandatory overtime.
“We would support the exploration of a tax repeal measure on a future ballot that would allow enough time for voters to be educated about this bait-and-switch pension spiking scheme and give them an opportunity to cut their taxes,” Wecker said.
Coates said that motion had nothing to do with Measure FD and asked only for a study into what additional costs the city would undertake if extra shifts firefighters are forced to take on were pensionable.
“The attacks on this motion and Measure FD were misguided and just flat out incorrect,” Coates said. “It will not spike pension benefits in any way, shape or form.”
The sales tax revenue from Measure FD will be in addition to the money the department already receives from the city’s general fund, which Coates said was a crucial factor in winning voter support. The sales tax will continue unless it’s repealed by voters, according to the ordinance.
The fire union hopes city residents will notice a change in the department within a year, Coates said.
L.A. Fire Chief Jaime Moore said the department will prioritize recruiting and hiring more firefighters, repairing existing equipment — a task that could exceed $9 million — and undergoing critical station repairs. The new pool of money will also be used to expand dispatch centers and eventually build more fire stations, Moore said in a presentation to the City Council last month.
Another critical issue the department hopes to address is hiring more personnel to reduce delays in hiring and training new firefighters, Moore said.
The department will also begin a process to identify where new stations are needed. With the 106 active stations, firefighters can reach just under half the city within four minutes. The department will utilize operational data to determine where new stations fit best.
The funds must be used for eligible core fire department services. The department will separately track Measure FD revenue, create dashboards to monitor all expenditures and provide quarterly reports to the City Council to ensure transparency, Moore said.
The measure also requires a citizen oversight committee that will review the department’s spending of this money.
“This is the biggest deal in the Los Angeles Fire Department. We couldn’t be more grateful to the citizens of L.A. for helping us pass this,” Coates said. “The men and women in the field are ecstatic that change is coming, and we’re going to be able to better respond to the residents of L.A.”
Measure FD was one of eight measures on the Nov. 3 Los Angeles city ballot, all of which were approved by voters. Other measures will allow the City Council to meet once a week and allow it to disband the Board of Public Works, and allocate more money to the Department of Recreation and Parks.
Voters also approved a measure that exempts Palisades fire victims from paying the so-called mansion tax if they sell their properties within five years of the disaster.
High school boys’ water polo: Wednesday’s playoff results and schedule
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS WATER POLO PLAYOFFS
WEDNESDAY’S RESULTS
SOUTHERN SECTION
Semifinals
DIVISION 1
Mira Costa 13, Buena 10
Dos Pueblos 14, Laguna Beach 11
THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
CITY SECTION FINALS
At Palisades
OPEN DIVISION
#2 Cleveland at #1 Palisades, 7 p.m.
DIVISION I
#2 Eagle Rock at #1 Granada Hills, 5 p.m.
SATURDAY’S SCHEDULE
SOUTHERN SECTION FINALS
At Mt. San Antonio College
OPEN DIVISION
Newport Harbor vs. JSerra, 1:30 p.m.
DIVISION 1
Mira Costa vs. Dos Pueblos, 4:30 p.m.
DIVISION 2
Damien vs. St. John Bosco, 3 p.m.
DIVISION 3
Troy vs. Elsinore, noon
DIVISION 4
Foothill Tech vs. Liberty, 6 p.m.
DIVISION 5
Montebello vs. California, 10:30 a.m.