US President Donald Trump on Monday announced the creation of a new “Trump-class” of Navy battleships, which will join the US Navy’s “Golden Fleet.” He described them as the largest battleships ever built, with plans to construct 20 to 25 ships, each boasting 100 times the firepower of existing vessels. Trump said, “We are building a Golden Fleet for the United States Navy. Many of our ships are old and obsolete. As Commander in Chief, I’ve approved construction of the largest battleships in history. They will be faster, bigger, and more powerful than anything else in the world.”
The ships, weighing between 30,000 and 40,000 tonnes, will be armed with nuclear weapons, missiles, and guns, making them among the most lethal warships ever. Trump noted, “We haven’t built a battleship since 1994. These cutting-edge vessels combine missiles with guns, which remain cost-effective in certain situations. We will start with two ships and ultimately build between 20 and 25.” Trump added that the battleships will feature advanced AI, sophisticated lasers, and will serve as the Navy’s flagships. “We have excellent naval yards and are negotiating with companies to construct these ships. The US Navy will lead their design alongside me,” he said.
The announcement comes amid heightened US maritime activity near Venezuela, including the seizure of two tankers and the recent pursuit of the vessel Bella 1 in international waters after it refused to stop. Trump emphasized that these “Trump-class” vessels will redefine naval power, combining historical battleship design with modern technology to ensure the US maintains a decisive edge at sea.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from @WhiteHouse.
Kunal Nayyar enjoys “paying random families’ medical bills.” The 42-year-old actor, who reportedly earned around US$1 million (S$1.3 million) per episode of The Big Bang Theory, says his wealth doesn’t feel like a burden. He and his wife, Neha Kapur, use their fortune to help others, including funding university scholarships for underprivileged students.
Speaking to the i newspaper, he said, “Money has given me greater freedom, and the best gift is the ability to give back and change people’s lives. We also support animal charities because we love dogs. But what I really enjoy is going on GoFundMe at night and paying random families’ medical bills—that’s my masked vigilante thing. Money feels like a grace from the universe, not a burden.”
Kunal believes helping those less fortunate benefits everyone. He noted, “People expect kindness from leaders or politicians, but real change starts at home. If your neighbor asks for sugar and you shut the door, there is no world peace.” He hopes audiences of his latest film, Christmas Karma—a retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol—take away the lesson that change must start with oneself.
The actor also spoke about experiencing racism worldwide, saying, “I cannot change my skin color; it’s the suit I have to wear for life.” He expressed concern about the resurgence of overt racism, citing far-right marches in London, and emphasized that prejudice stems from narrow-mindedness. Kunal approaches hardship with compassion, explaining, “You can’t change someone’s mind through aggression. By responding with grace, you can help heal the inner child and hold space for what’s screaming inside them.”
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Insta/Kunal Nayyar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Sri Lanka’s Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo on Tuesday, reaffirming India’s support for the country’s reconstruction following Cyclone Ditwah. He highlighted the proposed USD 450 million assistance package, describing it as a reflection of the strong bond between the two nations.
“Good to meet Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya in Colombo today. Assured India’s steadfast commitment to Sri Lanka’s rebuilding post-Cyclone Ditwah. The reconstruction package offered by India reflects the deep bond between our nations,” Jaishankar said in a post on X. Earlier, he met Sri Lankan President Anura Disanayake, conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm wishes and solidarity in the cyclone’s aftermath. Jaishankar emphasized India’s swift response under Operation Sagar Bandhu and announced plans to expand support for long-term recovery.
The USD 450 million package will fund the rehabilitation of roads, railways, and bridges, reconstruction of destroyed or damaged houses, and restoration of health and education facilities affected by the cyclone. Jaishankar also inaugurated a 120-foot dual-carriageway Bailey Bridge in Kilinochchi District, installed as part of Operation Sagar Bandhu. The 110-tonne bridge was airlifted from India to aid severely affected areas.
Highlighting India’s immediate relief efforts, he noted that around 1,100 tonnes of relief material and 14.5 tonnes of medical supplies were delivered. He added that Prime Minister Modi has directed officials to coordinate closely with the Sri Lankan government to identify rebuilding priorities. The proposed assistance includes USD 350 million as a concessional line of credit and USD 100 million in grants, structured in close consultation with Sri Lanka to ensure funds address the most critical recovery needs.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X/@DrSJaishankar.
As part of its plan to curb Naxalism, with a March 2026 deadline set by the Centre, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has established 229 Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) across six major Naxal-affected states since 2019. These FOBs, created by central armed police forces including the CRPF and its specialized units, are strategically located in remote, forested, and insurgency-prone areas previously controlled by Naxal groups.
Among the 229 FOBs, the highest number—59—was set up this year, followed by 40 in 2024, 27 in 2023, 48 in 2022, 29 in 2021, 18 in 2020, and eight in 2019. They are spread across Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Telangana, with Chhattisgarh hosting the most this year at 32.
In a recent Rajya Sabha reply, Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai reported that all Central Armed Police Forces have established a total of 377 FOBs in Naxal-affected states since 2019. These bases aim to extend state presence into interior areas, deny safe havens to Naxals, and maintain sustained area control. Unlike temporary camps, FOBs are semi-permanent or permanent, equipped with accommodation, communication, medical facilities, and logistical support, allowing long-term deployment.
FOBs have improved response times, intelligence gathering, coordination with local police, and protection of development activities like road construction, mobile connectivity, and welfare programs. Their strategic placement, usually five kilometers apart, enables operational support and isolates Naxal cadres, pushing them away from these zones.
The government complements these efforts with the 2015 "National Policy and Action Plan to Address LWE," combining security measures, development programs, and protection of local rights. These initiatives have significantly reduced Naxal influence. Naxal-affected districts fell from 126 in April 2018 to 11 in October 2025, with only three classified as most affected. LWE-related violence has decreased 89% from 1,936 incidents in 2010 to 218 in 2025, while deaths of civilians and security personnel dropped 91% from 1,005 in 2010 to 93 in 2025. In 2025 alone, security forces neutralized 335 Naxals, arrested 942, and facilitated 2,167 surrenders.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from ANI.
During the Olympic torch relay in Pompeii, Italy, the flame was carried by notable torchbearers including Maria Marinella Biacca, internationally acclaimed actor Jackie Chan, former Olympic fencing gold medallist Sandro Cuomo, and ex-Paralympian Immacolata Cerasuolo. Their participation highlighted a blend of sports excellence and global cultural icons, celebrating the spirit of the Olympics while honoring both past and present athletic achievements.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.
During the daily markets analysis segment on Open For Business, Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman held a discussion with Homin Lee, Senior Macro Strategist at Lombard Odier. The conversation focused on current global market trends, macroeconomic developments, and investor sentiment, offering expert insights into how shifting economic conditions are influencing financial markets and shaping near-term outlooks.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.
Every Monday and Friday throughout December, we are republishing some of our most loved audio long reads of 2025 for those who may have missed them, each introduced by our editorial team to explain the choice. From September, this piece explores how rising sea levels are forcing much of the population to face the possibility that their homeland could disappear. The question remains where they will go. By Atul Dev. Narrated by Mikhail Sen.
Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.
In Made in SG, Melanie Oliveiro interviews Singaporeans working in the artificial intelligence space to explore how they are shaping and mentoring the next generation of AI-driven content creators. Jayce Tham, co-founder of media agency CreativesAtWork and generative AI content studio Dear.AI, shares how professionals in Singapore can use generative AI to enhance storytelling, content marketing, and production processes. Filmmaker, influencer, and Dear.AI Creative Director Jaze Phua discusses how AI fuels creative expression, enabling content creators to blend humour, narrative, and pop culture to produce highly shareable, viral content.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
Thailand’s Pheu Thai Party has selected 46-year-old academic Yodchanan Wongsawat, a nephew of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, as its leading candidate for the premiership in the February election. The move brings the influential Shinawatra family back into focus as Thailand grapples with deadly border clashes with Cambodia and internal challenges within the party. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman discuss the implications of his candidacy for party cohesion, border security, and the country’s political trajectory with Kevin Hewison, Emeritus Professor at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.
