Press review · Wednesday, 3 December 2025
03 December 2025
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gizmodo.com Top stories ·
I Can't Stop Thinking About the 'Star Wars' T-Shirt in This 2004 Hilary Duff Movie
'A Cinderella Story' includes a very weird 'Star Wars' reference and we're determined to get to the bottom of it.
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npr.org Top stories ·
NPR finds DOJ withheld, removed some Epstein files related to Trump : Trump's Terms
The Justice Department has withheld some Epstein files related to allegations that President Trump sexually abused a minor, an NPR investigation finds. It also removed some documents from the public database where accusations against Jeffrey Epstein also mention Trump. NPR's Stephen Fowler reports. Support NPR and hear every episode of Trump's Terms sponsor-free with NPR+. Sign up at plus.npr.org.
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bbc.com Top stories ·
Threat of further violence looms after Mexican cartel rampage
The BBC speaks to Guadalajara residents days after cartel members sought to avenge the killing of Nemesio "El Mencho" Oseguera.
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9to5mac.com Tech ·
New M6 MacBook Pro details revealed, including Dynamic Island, touch, more
Apple has its first touchscreen-equipped Mac coming later this year: the M6 MacBook Pro. A new report offers fresh details on what to expect.
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prnewswire.com Top stories ·
Warner Bros. Discovery Confirms Receipt of Revised Proposal from Paramount Skydance
/PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("Warner Bros. Discovery" or "WBD") (NASDAQ: WBD) today confirmed that it has received a revised proposal from...
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home.treasury.gov Top stories ·
Treasury Sanctions Exploit Broker Network for Theft and Sale of U.S. Government Cyber Tools
First-Ever Action Under the Protecting American Intellectual Property ActWASHINGTON — Today, the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Sergey Sergeyevich Zelenyuk (Zelenyuk) and his company, Matrix LLC (doing business as Operation Zero), as well as five associated individuals and entities, for their acquisition and distribution of cyber tools harmful to U.S. national security. Zelenyuk and Operation Zero trade in “exploits”—pieces of code or techniques that take advantage of vulnerabilities in a computer program to allow users to gain unauthorized access, steal information, or take control of an electronic device—and have offered rewards to anyone who will provide them with exploits for U.S.-built software. Among the exploits that Operation Zero acquired were at least eight proprietary cyber tools, which were created for the exclusive use of the U.S. government and select allies and which were stolen from a U.S. company. Operation Zero then sold those stolen tools to at least one unauthorized user.“If you steal U.S. trade secrets, we will hold you accountable,” said Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent. “Treasury will continue to work alongside the rest of the Trump Administration to protect sensitive American intellectual property and safeguard our national security.”This action coincides with an investigation by the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation of Peter Williams, an Australian national and a former employee of the aforementioned U.S. company who pleaded guilty on October 29, 2025, to two counts of theft of trade secrets. Williams stole several proprietary cyber tools from the company between 2022 and 2025 and sold them to Operation Zero in exchange for millions of dollars paid in cryptocurrencies.OFAC is designating Zelenyuk, Operation Zero, and the five associated individuals and entities pursuant to Executive Order (E.O.) 13694, as further amended by E.O. 14306 (“E.O. 13694, as further amended”). In parallel with this action, the Department of State is sanctioning Zelenyuk, Operation Zero, and an affiliated UAE company, Special Technology Services LLC FZ (STS) pursuant to the Protecting American Intellectual Property Act (PAIPA). These are the first persons sanctioned under this law, which provides for sanctions against persons who have knowingly engaged in, or benefitted from, significant theft of trade secrets of United States persons, if the theft of such trade secrets is reasonably likely to result in, or has materially contributed to, a significant threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States. Please refer to the Department of State’s press release for more information about this action under PAIPA. ZELENYUK’S ACQUISITION AND SALE OF CYBER TOOLSRussian national Zelenyuk,through his St. Petersburg, Russia-headquartered company Operation Zero, has been active as an exploit broker since 2021. Operation Zero has offered millions of dollars in bounties to cybersecurity researchers and others for the development or acquisition of exploits targeting commonly used software, including U.S.-built operating systems and encrypted messaging applications. Operation Zero does not disclose the discovered exploits to the companies developing the affected software, and Operation Zero customers could use the tools to launch ransomware attacks or engage in other malign activities. In advertisements and other public-facing materials, Zelenyuk and Operation Zero have stated that they will only sell the exploits they acquire to customers from non-NATO countries. Zelenyuk, through Operation Zero, has sought to sell exploits to foreign intelligence agencies. Zelenyuk and Operation Zero have also sought to develop other cyber intelligence systems, including spyware and methods to extract personal identifying information and other sensitive data uploaded by users of artificial intelligence applications like large language models. Operation Zero has sought to recruit hackers to support its activities and develop business relationships with foreign intelligence agencies through use of social media.OFAC is designating Zelenyuk and Operation Zero pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for being responsible for or complicit in, or having engaged in, directly or indirectly, cyber-enabled activities originating from, or directed by persons located, in whole or substantial part, outside the United States that are reasonably likely to result in, or have materially contributed to, a threat to the national security, foreign policy, or economic health or financial stability of the United States, and that have the purpose of or involve causing a misappropriation of funds or economic resources, intellectual property, proprietary or business confidential information, personal identifiers, or financial information for commercial or competitive advantage or private financial gain.OPERATION ZERO’S AFFILIATESBeyond Zelenyuk and Operation Zero, OFAC is imposing sanctions on individuals and companies associated with them. Marina Evgenyevna Vasanovich (Vasanovich) is Zelenyuk’s assistant. STS is a UAE-based technology company controlled by Zelenyuk. OFAC is designating Vasanovich and STS pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, Zelenyuk.OFAC is also designating Azizjon Makhmudovich Mamashoyev (Mamashoyev) and Oleg Vyacheslavovich Kucherov (Kucherov). Kucherov is a Russian national and a suspected member of the Trickbot cybercrime gang. OFAC previously designated members of the Trickbot group in February 2023 and September 2023. Trickbot, first identified in 2016, is a highly modular malware suite that allows the Trickbot cybercrime gang to conduct a variety of malicious cyber activities, including ransomware attacks against the U.S. government, as well as hospitals and healthcare centers across the United States. Kucherov and Mamashoyev have previously had work relationships with Operation Zero. OFAC is designating Mamashoyev and Kucherov pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods and services to or in support of, Zelenyuk,Additionally, OFAC is sanctioning Advance Security Solutions, another exploit brokerage firm that, like Operation Zero, offers bounties for exploits for U.S.-built software. Advance Security Solutions is an offensive cybersecurity company created by Mamashoyev with operations in the UAE and Uzbekistan. OFAC is designating Advance Security Solutions pursuant to E.O. 13694, as further amended, for being owned or controlled by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly, Mamashoyev.SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONSAs a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the designated or blocked persons described above that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons are blocked and must be reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, individually or in the aggregate, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC’s regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of blocked persons. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. OFAC’s Economic Sanctions Enforcement Guidelines provide more information regarding OFAC’s enforcement of U.S. economic sanctions. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities involving designated or otherwise blocked persons. The prohibitions include the making of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services by, to, or for the benefit of any designated or blocked person, or the receipt of any contribution or provision of funds, goods, or services from any such person. The power and integrity of OFAC sanctions derive not only from OFAC’s ability to designate and add persons to the SDN List, but also from its willingness to remove persons from the SDN List consistent with the law. The ultimate goal of sanctions is not to punish, but to bring about a positive change in behavior. For information concerning the process for seeking removal from an OFAC list, including the SDN List, or to submit a request, please refer to OFAC’s guidance on Filing a Petition for Removal from an OFAC List.Click here for more information on the individuals and entities designated or otherwise blocked today.###
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abc7ny.com Top stories ·
NYPD looking for 2 people after multiple officers hit with snowballs, injured
The NYPD has released images of two people they are looking to question after several NYPD officers were hit with snowballs and injured on Monday.
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nbcnews.com Top stories ·
House Democrats bringing Jeffrey Epstein survivors to Trump's State of the Union speech
Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., said he was bringing Haley Robson as a way of "bringing accountability to the Epstein class."
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ms.now Top stories ·
Kash Patel’s use of jet delayed FBI team’s mass shooting response, whistleblower tells top senator
Sen. Richard Durbin says FBI director’s “misplaced priorities” led to the delayed response to the Brown University shooting in December.
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Who is Abigail Spanberger, Democrat who will give State of Union rebuttal speech
The rebuttal - first delivered in 1966 - is often given by rising stars in the opposition party.
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businessinsider.com Top stories ·
Politicians can't ignore data centers anymore
Data centers have become America's hottest NIMBY issue, with everyone from Bernie Sanders to Ron DeSantis is turning against them.
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fox32chicago.com Top stories ·
Indiana lawmakers advance bill to fund new Bears stadium
The bill will still need passage in the Indiana State Senate and a signature from the governor.
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theguardian.com Top stories ·
Katherine Short, daughter of actor Martin Short, dies aged 42
Short, a social worker, was found dead at her home in Los Angeles on Monday in an apparent suicide
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democracydocket.com Top stories ·
Hegseth to appeal court order that shredded his attempt to demote Sen. Mark Kelly over video to U.S. troops
The order blasted Hegseth for threatening the constitutional liberties of millions of military retirees.
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sports.yahoo.com Top stories ·
Jack Hughes, Quinn Hughes and their mom talk President Donald Trump's call with Team USA hockey, invite to State of the Union
Quinn Hughes said the men's team was "really happy" the women's team also won gold in the 2026 Winter Games.
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komonews.com Top stories ·
4 killed after protection order violation in Gig Harbor, suspect shot dead by deputies
Five people are dead, including the suspect, after a protection order violation in Gig Harbor escalated to a stabbing in the street and gunfire.
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apnews.com Top stories ·
2 Missouri sheriff's deputies fatally shot, 2 others wounded, authorities say
A man with a long criminal history fatally shot one Missouri sheriff’s deputy during a traffic stop and then killed a second deputy in a gunbattle hours later as the Army veteran tried to save two wounded officers.
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droid-life.com Tech ·
Dark Sky’s Original Creator Made Another Weather App
The legend that was Dark Sky weather is no more. Apple bought that incredible weather app years ago, incorporated some of the tech into its own weather app, and then shut Dark Sky down because like with all Apple-owned items, it wants no one outside of its own world to... #AcmeWeather #DarkSky
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usatoday.com Top stories ·
Indiana moves forward with deal to bring Chicago Bears to the state
Lawmakers' bill offers financial incentives for a Chicago Bears stadium in northwest Indiana.
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rollingstone.com Top stories ·
MAGA Lawmakers Call for Republican to Resign Following Release of Disturbing Texts
Several Republican lawmakers, including prominent MAGA women, are calling for Tony Gonzales to resign following the publication of disturbing texts.
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bakersfieldnow.com Top stories ·
DOJ lawsuit accuses UCLA of failing to protect Jewish employees from campus hostility
The Justice Department is suing the University of California over allegations that UCLA failed to protect Jewish employees from antisemitic harassment amid pro-
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consequence.net Top stories ·
Tom Morello to Join Bruce Springsteen for Entirety of "Land of Hope & Dreams Tour"
Tom Morello will reunite with Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band on their upcoming "Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour."
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gothamist.com Top stories ·
Even more snow is on the way to NYC as winter drags on, forecast says
Another couple of rounds of snow are possible following this week’s blizzard.
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eurogamer.net Tech ·
Here are the PC specs for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Kojima Productions has shared the PC specs for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach.
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cnbc.com Top stories ·
Software stocks rebound as Anthropic announces new partnerships
Cybersecurity and software names have sold off heavily in recent weeks as investors fretted about potential disruption from artificial intelligence.
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New York City police investigating after officers were hit with snowballs during a snowball fight
New York City police are investigating after officers were pelted with snowballs while responding to a massive snowball fight at Washington Square Park in Manhattan.
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theatlantic.com Top stories ·
Trump’s Chance to Turn Things Around Tonight
A conversation with Jonathan Lemire about what Donald Trump’s State of the Union address could achieve—if he doesn’t get in his own way.
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mmafighting.com Top stories ·
Former UFC champion is moving up a division
Robert Whittaker targets a June return to the UFC cage
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theverge.com Top stories ·
Seedance 2.0 might be gen AI video’s next big hope, but it’s still slop
The slop is in the details and the workflows.
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gothamist.com Top stories ·
NYC subway service melts down as riders return following blizzard
The MTA struggled to move millions of New Yorkers who were called back to school and work on Tuesday after the city was buried in snow.
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wired.com Top stories ·
AI Will Never Be Conscious
In his new book, “A World Appears,” Michael Pollan argues that artificial intelligence can do many things—it just can’t be a person.
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kolotv.com Top stories ·
Sierra Avalanche Center releases timeline of fatal avalanche near Castle Peak
The Sierra Avalanche Center is releasing a timeline of events that occurred after an avalanche near Castle Peak that killed nine skiers.
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npr.org Top stories ·
U.S. House rejects aviation safety bill after Pentagon abruptly withdraws support
The House of Representatives narrowly rejected a bipartisan aviation safety bill that was spurred by the deadly midair collision near Washington, D.C. after the Pentagon abruptly withdrew its support.
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foreignpolicy.com Top stories ·
Trump’s Iran Battle Plan
David Petraeus on the military options and intelligence likely being presented at the White House.
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delawareonline.com Top stories ·
What time does the 2026 State of the Union start? Where to watch SOTU
When is the President Donald Trump State of the Union 2026 address? Here's when, what speech starts tonight, where to stream, how to watch tv channel
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techradar.com Tech ·
The iPhone 17 Pro is a true business powerhouse—equip your team for less and save up to $1100 with T-Mobile's latest switching deal
Right now, T-Mobile is offering business users 10 lines for $15 a month per device when you switch to the SuperMobile plan.
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foxbusiness.com Top stories ·
Supreme Court unanimously rebukes lower court's handling of Whole Foods baby food case
Supreme Court unanimously upholds ruling in Whole Foods baby food case, sending the lawsuit back to Texas state court after federal dispute.
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foxnews.com Top stories ·
Dem rep identifies himself as one of this year's State of the Union designated survivors
Rep. Mike Thompson, D-Calif., who was named a designated survivor for President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, accuses president of "unlawful" actions.
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npr.org Top stories ·
Flavor Flav is among women's hockey team fans outraged by presidential snub
The rapper, who also serves as the official "hype man" for multiple U.S. Olympic teams, invited the female hockey players to Las Vegas for a "real celebration."
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World Cup host cities ‘running out of time’ with $625m in funding held up by shutdown
Officials warned of potential event cancellations if World Cup host cities do not receive the funds, which are set to be administered by Fema
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whitehouse.gov Top stories ·
First Lady Melania Trump’s State of the Union Guests Reflect Her Impact on Education, Tech, and the Foster Community
Sierra Burns, a participant in the Melania Trump Foster Youth to Independence Program, and Everest Nevraumont, a 10-year-old Alpha School student,
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California sues over revised child vaccine schedule under RFK Jr.
The CDC revised the guidance for immunizations, which one attorney general described as \
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wjla.com Top stories ·
Virginia representatives react after House fails to pass airspace safety act
Earlier today House Republican leaders voted to dismiss the ROTOR Act, a aviation safety
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ft.com Top stories ·
Claudia Sheinbaum’s risky bet on dethroning ‘El Mencho’
The killing of cartel kingpin Nemesio Oseguera may relieve US pressure but ignite further violence
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Martin Short's daughter Katherine dies at 42
Martin Short's family \
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fortune.com Top stories ·
‘It’s going to be painful for a lot of people’: Software engineers may not exist by year end, says creator of the AI program freaking out the market | Fortune
Boris Cherny says Claude Code has been writing all of his code since November.
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cnbc.com Top stories ·
State of the Union live updates: Trump to talk economy amid rising disapproval ratings
President Donald Trump will give the first State of the Union of his second term at 9 p.m. ET, focusing on the economy and affordability ahead of the midterms.
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Republican congressman faces bipartisan resignation calls following latest allegations
Rep. Tony Gonzales was already facing a serious scandal, but the Texan is now confronting something new: GOP calls for his ouster.
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Hegseth warns Anthropic to let the military use the company’s AI tech as it sees fit, AP source says
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pressuring Anthropic to give the military broader access to its artificial intelligence technology or lose its Pentagon contract.
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House rejects bill requiring aircraft locator systems to prevent midair collisions like last year's
Legislation to require all aircraft flying around busy airports to have key locator systems to prevent midair collisions failed to win approval in the House on Tuesday.