26 November 2025 – Short News

Italy takes a hard line – femicide becomes its own criminal offensed!

In Rome, Parliament has passed a step Italy has argued about for years: femicide will now be listed as a separate criminal offense and punished with life in prison. The vote came on the international day against violence against women and received broad support, from Meloni’s right-wing government to the left-wing opposition. The trigger was a series of brutal cases that shook the country, including the murder of student Giulia Cecchettin. The new law also tightens rules on stalking and digital abuse. Meloni speaks of “concrete steps,” but many point out that Italy faces a deeper problem: a patriarchal culture that does not disappear with new statutes. In 2024, 106 women were murdered, most of them by partners or ex-partners. The fight over prevention continues, and while the government blocks education programs, the opposition warns

While the law is celebrated, a fierce debate over prevention is unfolding. The right-wing populist government wants to restrict, even ban, sex and relationship education in schools, a course activists describe as “medieval.” Parents would have to approve before teenagers receive any lessons on relationships or violence prevention. Opposition leader Elly Schlein argues the opposite: without education, there can be no long-term shift. Italy is one of the few countries in Europe where such content is not mandatory. For many, the new criminal category is only the first step, not the solution to a problem deeply rooted in society.

Only the flowers were missing …

"One could get the impression that someone has finally come home again. All that's missing are the flowers."

Stephen Miller pushes Trump’s line further – an attack designed to divide!

“What is their goal? It is the Somalification of America. When you see the state of Somalia, that is what they want for America.”

Stephen Miller claims progressive forces want to turn the United States into a “Somali state.” The statement is no slip, but deliberate strategy. Miller, one of the central strategists in Trump’s orbit, relies on the same method as always: sow fear, target minorities, and paint a picture of chaos that supposedly awaits without him and Trump. His wording targets a community that has worked in US cities for decades, pays taxes, runs businesses, and serves in health care and the military. Civil rights groups call it a deliberate attempt to dehumanize people and poison political debate. Even some Republicans now warn that this line harms the party, not out of moral concern but because it portrays a movement that cannot function without enemies.

In Minneapolis, where many families of Somali descent live, Miller’s appearance caused disbelief. Activists note that people fled Somalia because of war and state collapse, and Miller is now turning that trauma into a political scare tactic. Democrats call his comments “dangerous,” saying they not only stigmatize but present an entire population as a threat. There is no objection from the White House. That Miller makes such statements publicly shows how much he sets the extremist direction while Trump tries to distract from his domestic conflicts. For many, one thing is clear: this attack is no exception, it is part of a strategy designed to divide the country for political gain.

FBI targets Democratic lawmakers

The FBI has contacted six Democratic lawmakers who, in a video, urged soldiers to refuse “illegal orders.” The agency wants interviews, just one day after the Pentagon opened a procedure against Senator Mark Kelly. Trump publicly accused the lawmakers of “treason, punishable by DEATH.” Elissa Slotkin warned that the president is using federal agencies to intimidate critics. The lawmakers say the issue is not the video, but the danger of politically motivated prosecution.

Starmer struggles for control – Labour falters before the year’s most important budget

In London, pressure on the government of Keir Starmer is rising as the economic recovery stalls and inflation remains stubbornly high. Finance Minister Rachel Reeves must present a budget on Wednesday that will likely include new taxes, despite Labour promising the opposite a year ago. Room to maneuver is tight: debt consumes more than 100 billion pounds a year, growth is stagnant, and the aftermath of the pandemic, the Ukraine war, Trump’s tariffs, and Brexit continues to weigh on the country. Financial markets are watching closely, ever since the collapse under Liz Truss showed how quickly a bad budget can send the pound plunging. Labour lawmakers are nervous because the party trails Farage’s Reform UK in polls and some are already considering replacing the prime minister. The budget becomes a stress test for a government that has been in office for only 18 months, and whose promises of renewal are starting to crumble.

Reeves is under pressure, and the markets are unforgiving. She does not want new austerity programs like the Tories introduced, but the budget forces her toward higher revenue. At one point she even hinted at raising income taxes, then backed down after a revolt in her own caucus. Now a number of measures are under discussion: a tax on luxury properties, higher costs for electric vehicle drivers, and a few small sweeteners such as higher pensions and frozen rail fares. But skepticism is growing. Experts warn that new taxes will weigh down the already weak economy and could choke off growth. Inside Labour, unease is spreading because the government, despite its large majority, has few political successes to show. If the budget disappoints, the internal storm against Starmer and Reeves will intensify, and both could face pressure much sooner than expected.

Trump downplays Russia – and increases pressure on Ukraine

In a short Q&A, Trump was asked whether he was concerned that his associate Steve Witkoff might be too pro-Russian. His answer was as terse as expected: Russia had “many more people and many more soldiers,” so it was “a good thing” if Ukraine made a deal. The statement left no doubt about how Trump sees the balance of power, not as an ally would, but as someone who has already accepted the stronger player. In Kyiv, the words were met with disbelief, confirming what many fear: Trump does not favor support, but surrender. For Moscow, such comments are a gift, for Ukraine, another sign that Washington’s course is shifting. Trump’s message to Ukraine reads like a call for capitulation.

Instead of addressing Russia’s attacks or the humanitarian situation, Trump said a deal had to be “possible,” as if Ukraine were the side refusing peace. Witkoff, who is now supposed to serve as a special envoy, is not considered a neutral mediator in diplomatic circles. That Trump still sends him and says he himself will step in only once everything is “final” reinforces Europe’s impression that the United States is pushing Ukraine toward concessions. At a moment when Kyiv faces renewed attacks, Trump’s remarks seem not only tone-deaf but like a promise to Russia that the talks will move in its direction.

Indiana prepares an unusual redistricting

In Indiana, Republicans want to move up their session and discuss new congressional maps as early as 2025, even though the midterms are not until 2026. The party holds seven of nine seats and may try to expand its advantage. Whether the Senate agrees is unclear, and even senior Republicans describe major internal conflict. Trump intervenes and publicly urges the Senate to “find the necessary votes.” Critics warn that Indiana could become the next hotspot in the national fight over political maps.

FEMA reform report will be released on December 11

The 12-member FEMA Review Council appointed by Trump will present its proposals for reforming disaster relief on December 11. FEMA is the US federal agency for disaster response. It steps in when something happens that a single state can no longer handle on its own, such as floods, hurricanes, major fires, earthquakes, or other emergencies. The agency organizes emergency shelters, distributes drinking water, food, and medical aid, and ensures that damage is documented and compensation can be paid. Trump’s goal remains to shift more costs to the states and reduce the federal role. A first draft was heavily cut on the orders of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, causing internal unrest. The recommendations are expected to reduce the number of disaster declarations and further cut federal funds. The public can comment until the end of the year.

Hegseth travels to the Dominican Republic

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will meet with President Luis Abinader and senior military leaders in Santo Domingo on Wednesday. The United States has significantly expanded its military presence in the Caribbean in recent months and has been targeting suspected smuggling boats since September. The Pentagon describes the trip as aimed at “strengthening defense ties and underscoring the commitment to homeland security.” The visit comes shortly after a series of high-level meetings in the region.

Trump’s health care plan risks collapsing under his own party

A drastic increase in health insurance premiums is looming from 2025 to 2026, shown here using a bronze plan from Anthem, one of the largest private insurers in the United States. Left: the current 2025 premium, 307.20 dollars per month for a person earning around 65,000 dollars a year after the subsidy is applied. Right: the projected 2026 premium, 964.30 dollars per month for a comparable bronze HMO model. The jump is more than 650 dollars a month. Such a spike would lead to a health care catastrophe in the United States.

The White House’s attempt to extend expiring health insurance subsidies is running into the old Republican divisions. The party has spent years trying to dismantle the current system without causing millions to lose coverage. Now massive price increases loom as the year turns, but Congress is silent. While Democrats demand a simple extension, Republicans are again reaching for old overhaul plans. Some moderates urge quick action, but Speaker Mike Johnson blocks any clear path. Meanwhile, the country faces a health care year in which many families would have to pay twice as much, and no one in Washington can say whether an agreement is even possible.

Trump sends mixed signals: sometimes praising new health accounts, sometimes declaring that only direct payouts to citizens are acceptable. Republicans looking for a clear line are left in the fog. Some push for their own bills, others wait to see whether the president will decide. Democrats reject the savings models and warn of an election year in which millions would suddenly face unaffordable premiums. But Trump sticks to his latest message: no money for insurers, everything directly to the people. The deadlock in Congress is almost inevitable, and time is running out.

Bowser declines to run again in Washington

Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser is stepping down after three terms. In her video message, she spoke of the “immense privilege” of leading the city. Her final chapter was overshadowed by Trump’s emergency order centralizing police force and placing hundreds of National Guard troops on the streets, a measure widely criticized in the capital. Bowser did not directly address the conflict with the federal government, but her decision marks the end of a politically tense era.