## British government backs the BBC as Trump sues it for billions

Authored by politico.eu

And he said of the BBC: “I think the broader argument that they were making — they are right to stick by their guns on that.

And I hope that they will continue to do so as an independent organization, of course, funded by the license fee — a hugely important institution.”.

The BBC apologized to Trump last month, but argued that the claim from Trump did not provide a basis for a defamation suit.

Concerns about how the speech was edited were raised in a leaked internal BBC memo.

The BBC’s director general, Tim Davie, and its head of news, Deborah Turness both resigned over the broadcaster’s handling of the case.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is already under some domestic pressure to raise the defamation case directly with the U.S. president.

The BBC is funded through a mandatory annual payment to watch television, and BBC online content, in the U.K. »

### FBI offers $50,000 reward as Brown University shooter still at large

Authored by theguardian.com

Officials in Rhode Island hope the reward provides a breakthrough in the faltering case, the pace of which has sparked growing community frustration.

One “person of interest” was detained then released on Sunday, and FBI director Kash Patel has faced criticism for prematurely declaring it solved.

Brown University has numerous cameras, the AP reported – but there are “few” in the Barus & Holley building. »

### A woman is suing the IRS to get pets classified as dependents and eligible for tax deductions

Authored by the-independent.com

A lawyer and her golden retriever are suing the Internal Revenue Service to try and get pets classified as legal dependents – a change that would have some tax benefits for pet owners.

While the IRS defines pets as property, Reynolds says this does not reflect Finnegan’s role in their household, according to QZ.

This includes Child Tax Credit (and Additional Child Tax Credit), the Credit for Other Dependents, and the Earned Income Tax Credit, the outlet reports. »

### Half-Life 3 is rumored to be a Steam Machine launch title and could arrive in spring 2026

Authored by engadget.com

For the diehard fans out there, the latest test of patience comes from Insider Gaming Weekly's podcast, which claimed that the third installment in the Half-Life franchise is set to release with the launch of the Steam Machine sometime in spring 2026.

"The window I was specifically told was spring 2026 for the Steam Machine, for the Frame, for the Controller, for Half-Life 3," Mike Straw, one of the hosts of the Insider Gaming Weekly podcast and senior editor at Insider Gaming, said.

Straw added that all the previous dates for an announcement of the next Half-Life game have passed, but that his sources "are still adamant this is a game that will be a launch title with the Steam Machine." »

### Up to 360,000 Russian Troops Stationed in Belarus, German Security Expert Warns

Authored by united24media.com

The presence of up to 360,000 Russian troops in Belarus has drawn renewed attention following warnings from Roderich Kiesewetter, a foreign policy expert from Germany’s CDU party, who said 2026 and 2027 will be critical years for regional security.

According to Kiesewetter, Russia currently maintains two army corps in Belarus—between 350,000 and 360,000 combat-ready soldiers.

Their presence has raised particular concern in the Baltic states and other neighboring countries. »

## In pictures

## Also in the news

#### US lost 105,000 jobs in October and added 64,000 in November, according to delayed data

#### 'A Chilling Assertion': Trump Officials Falsely Claim Citizens Must Carry Immigration Docs to Prove Their Status

#### MIT professor shot and killed in his Brookline home

#### Hunter Biden disbarred in Connecticut after complaints about gun, tax convictions

#### Man detained indefinitely after 'furiously and repeatedly' stabbing 11-year-old girl