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Journalist Kate McClymont, the Sydney Morning Herald’s chief investigative reporter, gave evidence for a second day in the Downing Centre Local Court trial of former broadcaster Alan Jones. Jones has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges of indecent assault and sexual touching involving several young men. The court examined messages and a recorded call between McClymont and the mother of one complainant, referred to as Complainant A, who alleged Jones kissed him without consent when he was 17. McClymont had published her first story about allegations against Jones before speaking with the mother. The mother told her that her son had made a police statement in 2018 but had asked that the matter not be investigated further at the time. In the recorded call, McClymont described police involvement as “the nail in the coffin.” She told the court she meant it would be significant for the story because police had previously said they had received no complaints about Jones; she did not mean it would “kill” Jones. The court also heard that, in March 2024, McClymont texted the mother to say police were investigating other allegations against Jones. She added, “I hope the shit does hit the fan for him!” followed by a smiley face and two poo emojis. The defence has previously alleged that McClymont, broadcaster Ray Hadley and author Peter FitzSimons were part of a media conspiracy to bring Jones down using false allegations. Hadley has also testified. McClymont said a NSW Police media unit officer privately alerted her to Jones’s arrest in November 2024 so journalists and photographers could be present. She also told the court she declined police requests for transcripts or recordings of private conversations with confidential sources, because those sources had not consented. She later provided the interviews under court subpoena.

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) has issued a $198,000 infringement notice to Downward Spiral Enterprises, the company controlled by Mona founder David Walsh, for allegedly failing to lodge its 2025 financial report on time. Downward Spiral is the parent company of Morilla Estate, which operates Hobart’s Museum of Old and New Art (Mona). It was one of 22 large companies issued notices over alleged reporting failures; ASIC said the companies had paid a combined $4.3 million in fines. The regulator emphasised that paying an infringement notice is not an admission of guilt or liability, and said its investigation remains ongoing where reporting obligations are still outstanding. The report recalls that Downward Spiral lodged eight years of accounts with ASIC in June, providing public information about the finances of Walsh’s business group. Accounts covering 2019 to 2025 showed more than $695 million in dividend income supporting Mona and related businesses, including Moorilla Estate, Moo Brew and DarkLab. Downward Spiral reported a $63.9 million profit for 2024–25, largely because of a $114 million dividend from an undisclosed source, despite continuing losses from Mona. A previous ABC report said Mona had accumulated $408 million in losses since opening in 2011; Walsh said he was “completely happy with the finances.” Mona has also announced plans for a new museum in Bangkok. ASIC said it has used data-focused surveillance of large proprietary companies since August 2025. It has received more than $13.7 million in infringement notice payments and engaged with 234 companies this year, including 193 that allegedly failed to lodge 2025 reports. Of those, 147 subsequently lodged at least one overdue report, while others were still working to do so. ASIC cited audit problems, administrative oversight, inadequate resources and lack of awareness as common reasons for late reporting. Commissioner Kate O’Rourke said timely reports help people make informed decisions and warned that ASIC would continue its surveillance into 2027 and take further enforcement action when necessary.

Australia’s major banks are raising interest rates on variable home loans following the Reserve Bank of Australia’s decision to increase the cash rate by 0.25 percentage points to 4.85 per cent, an 18-year high. The RBA said the increase was intended to address persistent inflation. Governor Michele Bullock noted that higher rates can make households feel poorer and limit spending, particularly when incomes are not growing quickly. Macquarie Bank announced its variable home-loan increase within an hour of the RBA’s decision, with the change due to take effect on November 19. The following day, the four largest banks—Westpac, NAB, ANZ and CBA—also announced increases of 0.25 percentage points. They plan to apply the new rates from November 13. ANZ estimated that a 0.25 percentage-point rise would add about $79 to the monthly repayments on a $500,000 owner-occupier loan with principal-and-interest repayments. Westpac said most of its customers were ahead on their mortgage repayments. The banks advised customers experiencing financial pressure to contact them. The rate increases also mean some savers will earn more interest when banks adjust savings rates in mid-November. However, banks have often been slower to pass rate increases on to savers, and the best rates may depend on meeting account conditions. Canstar said customers who fail to meet requirements—such as minimum monthly deposits or withdrawal rules—may receive only a base rate of around 0.10 per cent. The article therefore describes both the increased costs facing borrowers and the conditional benefits available to savers.

Binance says hackers stole approximately US$6.6 billion (about $9 billion) in what is believed to be the largest cyberattack in cryptocurrency history, using a scheme involving fake job interviews and malicious software. The attack, which took place on October 29 and lasted four hours, sharply affected the prices of most major cryptocurrencies. The FBI attributed it to hackers affiliated with North Korea, while North Korea denied the allegation and Kim Jong Un’s sister dismissed it as “absurd rhetoric.” According to Binance, the attackers began preparing as early as June. They first targeted a platform engineer with a virus-infected version of Homebrew, a widely used programming tool. Binance detected and removed the malware, but the attackers had already gathered information about that engineer and colleagues. In September, they approached another engineer through a legitimate job-search platform, offering an interview for a fictitious company. After building trust through social media photos and videos, they asked the engineer to download a supposed interview exercise containing malware. Binance said the malware used sophisticated concealment and evasion methods, including substituting a legitimate development-tool component with a malicious one, enabling access to the company’s internal systems. On October 20, the attackers used that access and an internal AI tool to take control of software used by two more engineers. They triggered malicious code nine days later, initiating the theft. Binance reports that it has replenished 98 per cent of the affected assets using its own funds. The remaining amount consists of little-traded currencies that are difficult to acquire. The company also said about one-third of the stolen assets had been frozen, preventing the attackers from using them or converting them into other currencies.

China Southern Airlines will suspend its direct flights between Darwin and Guangzhou, ending the only direct air connection between China and the Northern Territory less than a year after it began. The route launched in December 2025 and is scheduled to end after its current season, with the final flight departing Darwin on December 3, 2026. The Airport Development Group (ADG), which operates Darwin International Airport, said the decision was a commercial matter for the airline. It noted that passengers can still reach China and other international destinations via hubs such as Singapore, Denpasar and Dili, and said it is discussing opportunities to improve Darwin’s international connections. The withdrawal follows other recent reductions in international services from Darwin. Qantas introduced a Darwin–Singapore route in 2025 but later limited it to the peak tourism season. AirAsia also began services from Darwin to Bali and Kuala Lumpur, then withdrew from the city entirely by June 2026. The Guangzhou service had been promoted as a tourism opportunity expected to provide 52,000 seats annually. In April 2026, Northern Territory Tourism Minister Marie-Clare Boothby led a delegation to Guangzhou to promote the Territory to travel agents and attract Chinese visitors. Northern Territory Chamber of Commerce chief executive Glen Hingley said the cancellation would affect businesses beyond tourism, particularly those hoping to expand. He argued that airlines should consider freight as well as passenger demand when assessing routes, and that government agencies, industry groups, businesses and the airport need to work together to make services viable. Hingley also pointed to Darwin’s use of Boeing 737 aircraft, contrasting it with wide-body aircraft used elsewhere in Australia, which he said offer greater freight capacity. He warned that waiting for federal government intervention would not resolve the challenge. The article frames the route’s closure as part of a broader difficulty in sustaining international air links from a small-population market, despite efforts to grow tourism and trade.

David Jones, the 188-year-old department store chain, may be close to collapse after falling behind on rent at its Westfield locations. Scentre Group, which owns Westfield, said the retailer has not paid rent since September 2026 and is in breach of its contracts. David Jones occupies space at 17 Westfield centres; its last rent payment covered the period up to September 30. The retailer’s three-person board may meet within the next 24 hours to decide whether to put the business into voluntary administration. Scentre chief executive Elliott Rusanow said his company offered David Jones’s owner, Anchorage Capital Partners, a proposal intended to keep the chain trading, but Anchorage rejected it. David Jones was acquired by Anchorage from South African retailer Woolworths Holdings in late 2022. Scentre’s market filing also disclosed that David Jones has provided $45 million in bank guarantees across Westfield’s Australian and New Zealand portfolio, with Scentre’s share about $30 million—equivalent to eight months of gross rent. The retailer has 43 stores in Australia and New Zealand, including flagship locations in the Sydney and Melbourne central business districts. Its owners report about 50 million in-store visits and five million customers annually. A key lender has recently provided additional funds to help stock stores for Christmas. However, David Jones has also failed to lodge its financial accounts with corporate regulator ASIC on time for a second consecutive year. Analyst Craig Woolford warned that an administration before Christmas could affect competitors’ December-quarter profits through aggressive discounting, while potentially creating longer-term growth opportunities for stronger retailers. Thousands of David Jones jobs could be lost if the company enters administration. The report places the crisis amid rising economic pressure, noting that the Reserve Bank announced its fifth interest-rate increase of 2026 the day before. David Jones chief executive Erica Berchold had been contacted by the ABC for comment.

Former NRL player Trent Merrin, 37, has been charged with five offences following a months-long police investigation into the alleged manufacture and distribution of illegal peptides. Police say the investigation began after officers uncovered what they described as an alleged clandestine peptide manufacturing facility at a Shell Cove property on July 24, 2026. The raid was conducted by an NSW Police Organised Crime Squad strike force working with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), and police reported finding large quantities of restricted substances. Merrin, a former St George Illawarra Dragons player and State of Origin representative, was arrested on Tuesday and granted police bail. The charges comprise four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury, and one count of participating in a criminal group contributing criminal activity. His solicitor, Paul McGirr, said Merrin would plead not guilty to all charges and that the defence would request a brief of evidence. The TGA describes illegal peptides as short chains of amino acids that have not been evaluated or approved by regulatory bodies. The agency says such products are increasingly advertised online for weight loss and muscle growth. The investigation also led to the arrest of a 39-year-old man on August 14. He was charged with four counts of manufacturing goods for use in humans resulting in harm or injury, and his matter has since been finalised in court. Merrin is due to appear at Wollongong Local Court on November 24.

Matthew Michael McSweeney, a 41-year-old New South Wales man, appeared in Burnie Magistrates Court by video link from custody to face drug-trafficking and proceeds-of-crime charges. He is accused of trafficking methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, and cocaine on 13 occasions between December 2025 and September 2026. He also faces allegations that he knowingly dealt with criminal proceeds in Burnie on 14 occasions, with the amounts listed in the charges totalling $4,509,950. The allegations include several individual sums of at least $70,000, four amounts of $400,000, one of $600,000 and one of $970,000. The case follows a September police operation in which 17 kilograms of methamphetamine were seized from a beachside car park in Burnie. Tasmania Police described the seizure as believed to be the largest methamphetamine bust in the state’s history and estimated the drugs’ street value at $8.5 million. Two men in their 40s, reportedly from New South Wales and Tasmania, were arrested and charged in connection with that operation. Detective Inspector Troy Morrisby called the seizure one of the force’s most significant illicit-drug seizures. McSweeney appeared on the charges announced in September as well as additional charges. His lawyer told the court that the newer allegations had only been filed recently and that McSweeney had not yet had an opportunity to discuss them with his lawyer or review them. McSweeney spoke only to identify himself during the video appearance. Magistrate Katie Edwards adjourned the matter without a plea until December 16.

The United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Albert K Barume, has been denied access to youth detention centres in Queensland and the Northern Territory during his Australian visit. The UN said planned tours of Cleveland Youth Detention Centre in Townsville and Holtze Youth Detention Centre in Darwin, along with requested meetings in the Torres Strait, Townsville and Darwin, would not proceed because the state and territory governments had refused to engage with his mandate. Prisoner advocate Debbie Kilroy, founder of the National Network of Incarcerated Women and Girls, condemned the blocked visits. She said an independent UN visit could allow detained children to speak directly to someone outside the prison system and enable the rapporteur to inspect conditions. Kilroy is particularly concerned about the number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in custody and says new Queensland legislation, due to take effect on November 30, could increase detention numbers. The law introduces a mandatory minimum 12-month prison term for serious repeat young and adult offenders who breach bail. The article places the blocked visit in the context of earlier restrictions on UN access to Australian detention facilities. A UN delegation was denied visits to Northern Territory prisons in December last year, and a torture-prevention body was refused access to facilities in Queensland and New South Wales in 2022. That visit was cancelled in 2023, making Australia one of only two countries where the UN had terminated a visit. A recent Queensland Ombudsman report found Cleveland was operating above its safe capacity at its 2025 inspection and that 90 per cent of detained children identified as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander. The report made 15 recommendations, including improvements to cleaning, daily access to fresh air and sunlight, regular visits from Elders, and staff cultural-awareness training. Dr Barume is due to present preliminary findings and recommendations in Sydney on November 13.

Victorian retailers are working with police to monitor sales of jerry cans and fuel and report purchases they consider suspicious, as a series of firebombings linked to organised-crime extortion continues across Melbourne. The latest target was Etuners Motorsport, a luxury and sports-car workshop in Springvale. An alarm alerted the owner to a fire shortly before midnight; by the time a friend arrived to help, the premises were fully ablaze. The workshop was substantially damaged. Detective Inspector Chris Murray of Victoria Police’s Arson and Explosives Squad said investigators were seeking three people: a driver and two masked offenders in hoodies who allegedly lit the fire. The same business was the subject of a drive-by shooting the previous week. Police are examining its recent client list for possible connections to the incidents, while Murray said organised criminals may seek to exploit reputable, successful businesses. Police have met with retail-sector representatives to establish an arrangement for monitoring jerry-can and fuel purchases. Murray said the reports were helping investigations. He also said police had made hundreds of arrests in recent months and increased both visible and covert patrols across the state, warning would-be offenders that they were likely to be caught. Murray urged young people recruited by crime gangs to think carefully before carrying out attacks. He cited the severe consequences of arson-related offending: two people were on life support at the Alfred hospital, 20 offenders had suffered serious injuries, and one person had died. He warned that recruits may find it difficult to withdraw after accepting a job, noting that families and individuals had been threatened. With Christmas approaching, he urged young people to consider the possibility of prison and the value of being with their families.

Kotoni Staggs has explained that his decision not to sing the Australian national anthem is rooted in respect for his Indigenous ancestors and family, rather than a lack of gratitude or pride in representing Australia. The Brisbane centre, a proud Wiradjuri man with nine Kangaroos caps since his 2023 debut, said he has learned about the past and heard from elders and grandparents about what they experienced. He described the choice as personal and consistent with his values, while affirming that he loves wearing the Australian jersey and feels emotional during the anthem. Staggs and other Indigenous players, including Latrell Mitchell, have faced criticism during the Rugby League World Cup for not singing. Australia is due to meet Samoa in the semifinal in Sydney on Sunday. Broncos teammate Pat Carrigan defended players’ right to express their beliefs, saying the issue could prompt a broader discussion about Australian history and society. Carrigan said the players are proud to represent the country, even if they do not express that pride by singing the anthem. Jillaroos coach Jess Skinner, who identifies as Barkindji and Māori, spoke about the importance of the Australian, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags, saying they represent a diverse country and its many cultures. She encouraged people to educate themselves about the flags and their significance. Former Australian Test coach Mal Meninga has also previously defended players’ stance. Overall, the article presents the anthem debate as a matter of personal conviction, Indigenous history, national identity and the right of athletes to speak openly, rather than as a rejection of Australia.

The article examines the political fallout surrounding South Australia’s $15.4 billion Torrens to Darlington road project and the pressure mounting on Transport and Infrastructure Minister Joe Szakacs. The controversy concerns an alleged attempt by an outlaw gang member to influence a labour-hire company working on the project. The story intensified after the company’s contract was terminated, reportedly because it had not disclosed civil litigation involving an alleged shareholder and a person described as a known bikie. At a media conference, Treasurer Tom Koutsantonis intervened while Szakacs was answering questions, prompting the article to consider whether the experienced former infrastructure minister was shielding his colleague from difficult scrutiny. Koutsantonis later praised Szakacs as an “exceptional minister with a bright future,” but his decision to take over the exchange is presented as a revealing sign of the government’s current predicament. The article contrasts the sustained negative attention with the Malinauskas government’s previously strong hold on South Australian politics. It notes that the party has faced comparable political heat only around the previous election, when it defended releasing a patient’s private email to journalists. Szakacs, who has held other ministerial portfolios, is now being questioned about whether he can manage the high-profile transport and infrastructure brief and whether his position is tenable. He says his focus is delivering the project on time and on budget and maintaining the jobs it supports. The article concludes that, beyond project delivery, Szakacs has a political responsibility to protect the government and Premier Peter Malinauskas from scandal—and whether he is succeeding remains disputed.

Alpha Dhabi Holding is considering further international hospitality investments, but says it will pursue expansion selectively and only where it can build long-term value. Chief investment and strategy officer Derek Nicholson said hospitality is an area where the company can grow abroad, drawing on its existing capabilities rather than expanding simply for its own sake. The group is part of Abu Dhabi’s International Holding Company and reported Dh7.7 billion ($2.1 billion) in revenue from overseas portfolio companies in the first nine months of 2026, more than 13 per cent of its total revenue. Alpha Dhabi manages more than 250 public and private investments across 45 countries and has two hospitality businesses: National Corporation for Tourism and Hotels, and ADMO Lifestyle. ADMO Lifestyle expanded in Egypt through the Nammos brand. Nicholson described the Egyptian venture as a model in which Alpha Dhabi supplies investment capital while owning the intellectual property, an approach he said could support international growth and diversification. For the nine months to September 30, Alpha Dhabi’s net profit attributable to owners rose nearly 41 per cent year on year to Dh7.78 billion, while revenue increased 6 per cent to about Dh58.3 billion. The company also recently committed $1 billion to global artificial-intelligence investments through Alpha Wave III, a fund managed by Alpha Wave Global. The investment gives Alpha Dhabi indirect exposure to companies including OpenAI, Anthropic and SpaceX. Nicholson characterized AI as a long-term investment theme, citing expected multi-trillion-dollar investment over the next three to five years and the opportunity to identify leading companies. In August, Alpha Dhabi doubled its shareholding and capital commitment in its private-credit joint venture with Mubadala Investment Company.

Democrat Nabeela Syed won a Republican-held Illinois state Senate seat, defeating incumbent Darby Hills with 57 per cent of the vote to Hills’s 43 per cent. Syed, who became one of the first Muslims in the Illinois General Assembly in 2022, ran in the state’s 26th district. Her victory formed part of a broader set of Democratic gains in the 2026 election, which the article describes as a rebuke of President Donald Trump. Concerns about AI data centres became a prominent issue in the contest. Syed argued that the companies creating demand for electricity should pay for the power their facilities use, rather than passing costs on to household bills. Her campaign also highlighted concerns about data centres’ environmental effects, noise and energy consumption. She supported Governor JB Pritzker’s AI safety legislation and his pause on tax incentives for new data centres. The article notes that Hills also began calling for greater accountability from data-centre developers late in the race, as voter concern grew. Polling suggests that worries about AI and data centres extend beyond Democrats, including to some Republicans, while Republican candidates have generally been less critical of the projects. An internal Republican memo reportedly urged candidates in close races to adjust their messaging, emphasizing local approval, companies paying their own utility costs, and competition with China in AI. Trump had dismissed concerns about unregulated AI and data centres as hoaxes, though his administration had also acknowledged public displeasure as construction expanded and electricity bills rose. In February, he promoted a largely non-binding pledge for technology companies and developers to supply electricity for their data centres rather than draw it from the existing grid.

Emaar Properties plans to make a voluntary cash offer of Dh15 ($4.08) per share to acquire the shares of Emaar Development that it does not already own, potentially taking its listed subsidiary into full ownership. Emaar Properties currently holds just over 79 per cent of Emaar Development, directly and through its indirect wholly owned subsidiary Emirates Property Holdings. The proposed offer requires approval from Emaar Properties’ board, according to a filing with the Dubai Financial Market (DFM). Bloomberg estimates the transaction could cost up to Dh12.6 billion, or about $3.2 billion; Emaar Development has a market capitalisation of approximately $13.68 billion. Emaar Development is the group’s Dubai property-development arm, focused on residential communities and build-to-sell projects. Its developments include Dubai Hills Estate, Arabian Ranches, Emaar South and The Valley. Emaar had previously moved to increase its ownership: in 2022 its board approved a proposal to raise its stake by up to three percentage points. In 2017, Emaar raised Dh4.82 billion by selling a 20 per cent stake in the development business, then the largest Dubai listing in three years. The proposal comes amid economic and geopolitical uncertainty linked to the Iran war, now in its ninth month, and a period of adjustment in Dubai’s property market. Emaar founder Mohamed Alabbar has said the market is expected to find a “nice balance” next year despite softening. The article also notes a recent change in Emaar Properties’ shareholder structure: Dubai Holding became its largest shareholder in May after acquiring a 22.27 per cent stake from the Investment Corporation of Dubai. Emaar operates across residential, commercial, hospitality and retail sectors in multiple regions, and has 90,000 units under production in 18 markets. In June, the company said it would announce a Dh200 billion Dubai megaproject planned to house nearly 150,000 people.

Sheikha Hind bint Majid Al Qasimi, director of the Sharjah Design Centre, is developing the institution as both a materials-research hub and a practical production resource for emerging designers. Scheduled to open in 2029, the centre has spent nearly three years investigating how locally available waste—including oyster shells, palm residues, demolition debris, sand, salt and desalination by-products—can be transformed into useful products such as plasters, paints, bricks and salt panels. The research is being conducted through Theatrum Al Kimiya, in partnership with France-based Atelier Luma, with the aim of creating materials that can be used beyond experimental projects. The centre will include seven specialist laboratories for ceramics, glass, metal, wood, textiles, jewellery and rapid prototyping. These facilities are intended to let designers develop prototypes and produce small runs of up to 100 pieces before seeking larger-scale manufacturing. Hind says this addresses a gap she encountered herself: while working on her porcelain tableware business, Designed by Hind, she had to travel abroad to produce a glass item. Independent designers in the UAE can struggle to access equipment and affordable production at small volumes, despite Sharjah’s educational institutions and manufacturing sector. To connect designers with industry, the centre is working with the Sharjah Economic Department and the American University in Sharjah on a mapping project. It has identified more than 4,000 industrial businesses, and about 1,000 have been approached about possible collaboration, initially focusing on wood, metal and glass manufacturers. The centre’s building, designed by Taller de Arquitectura – Mauricio Rocha with Daniel Rossello, will use rammed earth and preserve the desert character of its site. Hind sees the architecture and research programme as expressions of a Sharjah design identity rooted in culture, heritage, craftsmanship and the local environment. She hopes the centre will establish a lasting foundation for material research and traditional techniques, rather than simply displaying experimental materials when it opens.

Gecko Robotics is deploying its new Raptor wall-climbing inspection robot at Adnoc energy facilities, where it can identify structural weaknesses and assess damage to critical infrastructure. The move follows attacks on energy assets during the Iran war, which highlighted the importance of quickly understanding damage and returning facilities to operation. Gecko chief executive and co-founder Jake Loosararian said the technology could help operators determine what needs repair and how to do it. Raptor uses sensors and sound waves to inspect equipment without requiring facilities to shut down. The company says it is three to five times faster than its predecessor, captures millions of data points, and can reduce data-collection costs by a factor of 50 while improving the detail of the information gathered. The collected data feeds into a digital model of the inspected assets. Gecko is also expanding its military work, including a recently signed $300 million agreement with the US Navy. Loosararian described the military’s use of robotics and AI to improve the readiness of critical assets as relevant to energy infrastructure facing regional conflict. He also argued that energy companies need to adopt AI and robotics or risk falling behind. As demand grows, Gecko is considering manufacturing robots in the UAE, where it already deploys dozens of machines daily. Local production could bring development and testing closer to the facilities where the robots operate, reducing the risk that technology built in a controlled laboratory will fail in real-world conditions. The plans align with the UAE’s wider effort to develop local robotics manufacturing. A government official said robotics is supporting production across sectors and that interest among young Emiratis in robotics programming and manufacturing is growing. Gecko is also preparing an agreement with Adnoc Onshore to deploy robotics and AI models for critical infrastructure.

Manchester United came from two goals behind to defeat Roma 3-2 at Old Trafford in the Uefa Champions League, ending a nine-game winless run and giving manager Michael Carrick a much-needed victory amid speculation about his future. Roma took an early lead through Matias Soule in the 11th minute, and Donyell Malen converted a penalty soon afterward to make it 2-0. United supporters had voiced their discontent before and during the match, using green and gold balloons and throwing yellow tennis balls onto the pitch. United’s recovery began when captain Bruno Fernandes scored a retaken penalty in the 58th minute. Matheus Cunha then equalised in the 83rd minute and scored again three minutes later to complete the comeback. The Brazilian’s celebration brought a booking for removing his shirt and entering the stands; he was later sent off for a second bookable offence after a stoppage-time challenge. The win was United’s first in 10 matches, and their first in 54 days. Carrick said he was proud of the players and pleased for them, while Fernandes stressed that the players were not trying to save anyone’s job and said the club and team needed the win. The ratings reflected a difficult first half for United’s defence, with Diogo Dalot and Ayden Heaven both given 5/10. Kobbie Mainoo and Cunha received 8/10, while Fernandes was rated 7/10. Substitute Youri Tielemans and teenager Shea Lacey also earned 8/10 for their contributions to the comeback. Carlos Baleba, rated 6/10, left with a hamstring injury. Overall, the article presents a chaotic match in which United’s second-half response overcame defensive errors and renewed pressure on Carrick, though Cunha’s late dismissal tempered the celebrations.

Ahead of Wednesday’s fourth matchday of the Champions League, Gareth Cox highlights contrasting fortunes among several clubs. Real Madrid travel to face AEK Athens with momentum behind Jose Mourinho’s team: they have won six consecutive matches in all competitions and 12 of their last 14. Their recent run includes an El Clasico victory over Barcelona and a 3-0 win against Racing Santander, in which Jude Bellingham scored his 50th goal for the club and Kylian Mbappe opened the scoring. Mourinho describes the squad’s relationship with him as increasingly strong. Como are also thriving. Cesc Fabregas’s side have won four straight Serie A matches and remain fourth, after recently beating Manchester United 4-1 in their first Champions League campaign. Nico Paz, who scored twice and assisted another goal against United, says he was right to stay at Como rather than return to Real Madrid. Como visit Lens. Napoli, by contrast, are struggling under new manager Max Allegri. They sit eighth in Serie A and have one win and two losses in Europe. Their 2-0 defeat to Juventus included a red card and injuries to Kevin De Bruyne and Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Napoli next travel to Porto. Manchester City have lost successive Premier League matches after errors contributed to defeats against Aston Villa and Brighton. Enzo Maresca says the team must review the mistakes as they prepare to visit RB Leipzig, having earned six points from three Champions League matches. Arsenal are presented as the most defensively secure side in the discussion. Their 1-0 win at Liverpool was their sixth clean sheet in 10 league games; they have conceded only five goals in the league this season. Declan Rice praised the team’s togetherness after Arsenal won at Anfield for the first time in 14 years. They face Slavia Prague. The article’s central focus is the differing momentum, defensive strength and pressure facing clubs before the next round of European fixtures.

Charles Edouard Mellagui, chief executive of UAE cable manufacturer Ducab, says geopolitical tensions are placing pressure on global energy supplies and disrupting the movement of raw materials and equipment. With demand rising, he argues the world cannot rely on oil and gas alone and must expand solar, wind, nuclear power and battery storage. Supply pressures and higher raw-material costs may eventually be passed on to consumers through higher bills. Mellagui said Ducab kept its factories operating throughout recent disruptions, in part because the UAE has strong transport infrastructure—including ports, roads, lorries and trains—and because the company can draw on local suppliers. Ducab obtains more than 40 per cent of its raw materials locally, though it still relies on international suppliers. Mellagui said local production is particularly important when imports become difficult, while emphasizing it is only one part of supply security. The article also describes Adnoc’s plan to offer more than Dh60 billion ($16 billion) in local manufacturing opportunities through 2030. The opportunities cover goods such as electrical and automation systems, pumps, chemicals and piping, with the aim of shortening delivery times and reducing exposure to global supply disruptions. Growing communities, industrial projects and AI data centres are increasing electricity needs. Ducab has supplied cables for major UAE energy projects, including the Al Dhafra Solar Project, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park and Barakah Nuclear Energy Plant. Mellagui says the industry must both expand generation and reduce electricity losses, and ensure energy remains secure, available and affordable. He also said AI, despite its substantial power consumption, is beginning to help energy companies improve efficiency.

Ollie Watkins scored twice to give Al Hilal a 2-0 home victory over Shabab Al Ahli in Riyadh, ending the UAE club’s perfect start to the AFC Champions League Elite league phase. The result lifted Al Hilal to nine points from four matches and helped the Saudi side recover from a surprise defeat to Qatar’s Al Shamal the previous week. Shabab Al Ahli had won its first three matches and now sits level with Al Hilal on points. Watkins opened the scoring in the sixth minute after Kalidou Koulibaly won the ball in Shabab Al Ahli’s half and advanced into the penalty area. Koulibaly passed to Watkins, who held off Nemanja Maksimovic and finished into the bottom corner. Watkins scored again just after half-time, finishing a long, incisive pass from Yusuf Akcicek. Al Hilal coach Simone Inzaghi praised his team’s performance against a strong opponent, while Watkins described the win as important and welcomed his two goals. Shabab Al Ahli coach Andre Jardine said his side could have achieved a better result, but acknowledged that Al Hilal had been more effective in both attack and defence. Elsewhere, Iranian club Esteghlal also reached nine points after Jasir Asani scored in the 91st minute to secure a 1-0 win over Al Shamal. Asani said Esteghlal had created chances but found the match difficult. Al Ain lead the West Asia standings with a maximum 12 points from four games. The article notes that the top eight teams in each 16-team East and West league phase advance, with the knockout rounds scheduled to be played in Saudi Arabia in April and May.

The National’s editorial argues that Gulf countries should be treated as independent partners rather than prizes in competition among major powers. It opens with the long history of relations between Oman and China, illustrated by the 1980 voyage of an Arab dhow from Muscat to Guangzhou, and cites Chinese President Xi Jinping’s warning that the Middle East Gulf should not become an arena for great-power rivalry. The editorial says this message is especially timely amid reports of US strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island, political volatility in Israel and uncertainty over US policy following the midterm elections. The piece maintains that Gulf states have built international relationships to serve their own interests and populations, and must retain the freedom to develop them on their own terms. Their ties with Washington, including in security and trade, and with Beijing, an important economic and diplomatic power, offer distinct benefits. The editorial says respect for Gulf sovereignty and strategic independence should apply consistently, regardless of which outside power seeks influence. It also defends the region’s historically non-aligned approach, which has enabled Gulf countries to keep channels open with competing powers and support dialogue and mediation. The article cites efforts to facilitate exchanges between Russia and Ukraine as an example of how such relationships can benefit the wider international community. It further refers to Dr Anwar Gargash’s call for greater GCC unity and renewed confidence in the bloc’s ability to address security threats. The editorial concludes that Gulf countries should not have to choose between partners. Their relationships must be based on mutual respect, and decisions about their futures should not be made by distant capitals. The region, it says, should remain a partner to world powers, not a prize they compete over.

Barcelona bounced back from consecutive defeats with a 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Champions League, ending Villa’s perfect start to the league phase. Lamine Yamal scored in the seventh minute, and Raphinha added two goals after half-time. Barcelona moved to nine points from four matches, level with Villa, and coach Hansi Flick praised his team’s response and defensive organisation. Paris Saint-Germain remained top of the standings after crushing Villarreal 6-0. PSG scored four times inside the opening 17 minutes, setting a competition record for the fastest team to reach four goals in a Champions League match. Joao Neves, Desire Doue, Senny Mayulu and Fabian Ruiz scored during the opening spell; Ruiz added another after the break, and substitute David Boly completed the rout. Coach Luis Enrique praised the performance but said the team must keep improving and remain focused. PSG have won all four of their matches. Bayern Munich beat Atletico Madrid 2-0 away, with second-half goals from Lennart Karl and Konrad Laimer. Bayern controlled possession, though Atletico defended compactly and threatened on the counter. Karl opened the scoring after dispossessing Robin Le Normand, and Laimer sealed the result after Harry Kane set him up. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer called the display “total dominance.” Inter Milan won 3-0 away at Feyenoord through goals from Yann Bisseck, Pio Esposito and Piotr Zielinski. LASK beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 for only their second Champions League victory, Bodo/Glimt and Lille drew 0-0, Galatasaray defeated Stuttgart 2-0, and Sporting beat Shakhtar Donetsk 1-0. Before matches, stadiums across Europe held a minute’s silence for Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel, who died after being injured during a match against Andorra.

Progressive candidates backed by New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani won three New York City congressional races in the 2026 midterm elections, joining the House of Representatives from the 10th, 13th and 7th districts. Brad Lander, Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez were widely expected to win because their districts strongly favor Democrats, but their victories are presented as evidence of a broader political shift following Mamdani’s 2025 mayoral win. The candidates discussed President Donald Trump’s pledge to end annual military aid to Israel, an issue central to their opposition to Israel’s war in Gaza. Valdez said she was unsure whether Trump would make consistent decisions on the issue and also highlighted her labor-movement background and support for union organizing. Other Democratic candidates also won notable races. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez retained her 14th District seat, Micah Lasher won his first congressional term, and Grace Meng was re-elected in Queens. Meng described the Democratic sweep as a mandate and said Congress should push back against Trump. New York Democrats also backed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries for speaker. If selected, he would be the first Black speaker of the House. Attorney General Letitia James voiced support for his candidacy after winning re-election. In the gubernatorial race, incumbent Democrat Kathy Hochul defeated Republican Bruce Blakeman and secured another term. Hochul and lieutenant-governor candidate Adrienne Adams made history as the first all-woman ticket elected to lead New York State. Hochul’s victory speech criticized Trump, who had campaigned for Republicans and urged New Yorkers to treat him as if he were on the ballot. The article says Hochul’s new term begins on January 1, while the newly elected members of Congress are to be sworn in on January 3, 2027.

The article is a brief Al Jazeera video report preview about Republicans awaiting election results at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s watch party in Dallas during the 2026 US midterm elections. It says Texas Republicans are anxious about whether Paxton can withstand a strong challenge from Democrat James Talarico. Reporter Emma Withrow is at Paxton’s event and is expected to provide the latest information about an election described as potentially record-breaking. The supplied text does not specify what record might be set, give vote totals or projections, or report an outcome in the contest. It also contains no direct quotations or further details about either candidate, the campaign, or the atmosphere at the party. Accordingly, the report’s central focus is the uncertainty surrounding Paxton’s race and the nervous anticipation among Republicans as results come in. The accompanying page text identifies the item as a video, gives its publication date as November 4, 2026, and includes social-sharing and Google-related prompts that are not part of the report itself. This summary is limited to the short description provided; it does not add election results or background beyond that text.

The article reports tributes across Spanish and European football following the death of CD Tenerife forward Jesus de Miguel, who died on Tuesday from injuries sustained in an on-field collision. The 30-year-old went into cardiac arrest after being struck in the chest during a Spanish second-division match against FC Andorra, involving goalkeeper Jesus Owono. Tenerife supporters gathered outside the Estadio Heliodoro Rodriguez Lopez in Santa Cruz de Tenerife to honour him, while tributes also took place before several Champions League fixtures. Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal did not play the competition’s anthem before kickoff in his memory. Moments of silence were observed at those grounds and elsewhere in Europe, including Old Trafford during Manchester United’s match against Roma. Stadium screens showed images of De Miguel. The article’s photographs document commemorations by players from Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, as well as LASK and Slovan Bratislava in Linz and attendees at Feyenoord’s match against Inter Milan in Rotterdam. The death has prompted an investigation by Spanish police into possible involuntary manslaughter. However, Santa Cruz de Tenerife chief prosecutor Jose Luis Sanchez-Jauregui told EFE that criminal charges or proceedings were unlikely, since the collision happened during play. The article also notes that Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and midfielder Mikel Merino opened news conferences ahead of their match against Slavia Prague by paying tribute to De Miguel. Overall, the report documents the widespread mourning and memorial observances while relaying the initial legal response to the fatal collision.

North Korea fired several missiles from its eastern coast toward the Sea of Japan, South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff reported on Wednesday. South Korean and US authorities were examining the launches, which marked Pyongyang’s fourth weapons test in a month. The launch came hours after North Korea rejected US allegations that it was responsible for a theft of more than $6 billion in cryptocurrency from Binance. Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, reported the theft on Friday. The FBI subsequently attributed it to North Korean hackers and a group known as TraderTraitor, which was also linked to a $1.5 billion attack on the Bybit exchange the previous year. North Korea dismissed the FBI’s claim as “a trite provocation.” Kim Yo Jong, the sister of leader Kim Jong Un, described the announcement as part of Washington’s hostile policy and said Pyongyang would not engage in dialogue with the US unless that policy changed. The article places the missile launches and the denial amid broader tensions over North Korea’s weapons programme and prospects for diplomacy. US President Donald Trump said in August that he hoped to meet Kim later in the year, and emphasized the importance of getting along with him. Previous Trump-Kim talks ended abruptly in 2019 over disagreements about North Korea’s nuclear programme. In October, the US, South Korea and Japan reiterated their call for the complete denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula. North Korea has accelerated weapons testing this year, which analysts say may be intended to strengthen its leverage in future talks. Recent tests have included a submarine-launched ballistic missile, hypersonic missiles, attack drones and cluster bombs. Pyongyang also said it had tested a cluster warhead for strategic cruise missiles, claiming it could devastate an area of five to six hectares. The latest launches followed a report that Kim had visited a naval shipyard building a destroyer and stressed the need for a powerful navy.

Iran has described the United States’ response to Tehran’s seven conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz as “unconvincing,” while President Donald Trump confirmed that US forces carried out strikes on an Iranian island near the strategic waterway. The strikes and stalled indirect negotiations came amid Qatari efforts to keep diplomacy moving and another reported attack on commercial shipping in the region. Iran’s proposal would reopen the strait over two days if Washington meets demands that include lifting sanctions and ending its naval blockade. Mohsen Rezaei said the US must address the conditions explicitly before the waterway will reopen. Qatar’s foreign ministry said negotiations were continuing and that it was facilitating an exchange of proposals between the parties. Trump characterized the attack on Qeshm Island as a “minor” strike against an anti-aircraft facility, saying it was not an act of war. US officials described the strikes as defensive, following Iranian fire at an American aircraft. Reports that US Central Command had prepared plans for a possible renewed campaign—potentially after the US midterm elections and with three aircraft carriers in the region—heightened concerns about escalation. Trump issued further warnings of possible military action, while Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reportedly ordered the military to respond immediately to threats and revise its target list. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations reported that two projectiles hit a tanker’s engine room northeast of Oman, with no casualties. Separately, Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed several ships had struck mines or been seized, and said it had downed two US attack drones; these claims were not independently verified or tied to the reported tanker incident. Political scientist John Mearsheimer questioned whether another short bombing campaign could achieve US objectives, warning that Iranian retaliation might prolong the conflict and deepen its economic impact.

The article describes a planned effort to reintroduce the frosted elfin butterfly to Ontario, where it has not been recorded since 1988. The small, greyish-brown butterfly, Callophrys irus, once lived in southern Ontario, especially near St. Williams by Lake Erie. It relies on open oak-pine woodlands and clearings where wild lupine grows, and its limited ability to disperse makes it especially vulnerable when its habitat is lost. Surveys, including one in 2019, found no evidence of the species in Ontario. The article attributes its disappearance largely to urban development and the conversion of natural landscapes into farmland, while noting that it still occurs in parts of the northeastern United States. A team led by University of Guelph ecologist Ryan Norris plans to bring adult butterflies and eggs from New York to the Cambridge Butterfly Conservatory for captive breeding. The first release is planned for spring 2027 in Port Rowan, Norfolk County. Before release, researchers must confirm that the restored sites have enough wild lupine to feed the caterpillars. The proposed locations include former tobacco fields that have developed into oak savanna habitat. The work is part of a federally funded, $2.4-million initiative to recover three at-risk butterfly species in Canada: the frosted elfin, mottled duskywing and curiously isolated hairstreak. The article reports encouraging results from earlier mottled duskywing reintroductions, with populations growing to several hundred at Pinery Provincial Park and nearly 100 at another site. Researchers are also investigating ways to establish the vulnerable hairstreak in additional suitable habitats. The article emphasizes that butterfly conservation depends on restoring ecosystems, and that declining butterfly populations can signal broader environmental problems.

Calvin Evans Jr. expected to inherit his father’s Washington ranch, and that expectation shaped the financial terms of his 2011 divorce from Deborah Evans, now Deborah Bunney. The divorce court awarded Bunney the couple’s $174,000 investment in ranch improvements and entered two judgments against Evans totaling $166,698.50, reasoning that he would retain substantial ranch property. The decree also recognized that the inheritance was uncertain and reserved the court’s ability to reconsider the division if Evans did not inherit through his father’s will or another route. That uncertainty became reality after Evans’s siblings challenged their father’s will. In 2012, a probate court found that Evans had financially abused his father, disqualifying him from receiving estate property. The ranch instead passed to Evans’s four adult children. Although two children later transferred a combined half-interest to Hidden River Ranch LLC, a company owned by Evans, Bunney’s separate unjust-enrichment lawsuit over the property failed. Evans sought to undo the divorce judgments in 2017 but did not renew his request after the relevant litigation concluded in 2019. In 2021, Bunney obtained a ten-year extension of the judgments. A partition action later ordered the ranch sold and recognized Bunney as a creditor for $166,698.50 in principal, with 12 percent annual interest and no payments made by Evans. In April 2025, Evans moved to vacate the original judgments and their extension. On November 2, 2026, Washington’s Court of Appeals, Division One, upheld the judgments and extension. It found Evans’s challenge to the 2011 judgments untimely, rejected his claim that lack of notice of the extension justified relief, and concluded he showed no specific argument he had been prevented from making or clear evidence of unfair prejudice. The court also ruled that losing the expected inheritance was not an extraordinary circumstance: the divorce decree had already anticipated that possibility.

A young couple who had recently bought a home in South Connellsville, Pennsylvania, found a suspicious object in the basement while clearing belongings left by the previous owners. The discovery was made at a property in the 1900 block of Fourth Street. The homeowner contacted authorities after the object appeared to resemble a mortar, rather than attempting to identify or handle it themselves. Fayette County 911 said emergency responders were requested at about 1:20 p.m. on Sunday. Connellsville police officers went to the house and also considered the object suspicious. They photographed it and sent the image to the Allegheny County Police Bomb Squad for assessment. Because the object’s identity and potential danger were uncertain, specialists were asked to examine it. Bomb squad personnel later travelled to the property and confirmed that the object was a live artillery shell dating to the American Civil War. Its condition meant it was not simply an empty shell or a harmless antique, and its removal required trained bomb-disposal specialists. The bomb squad collected the shell and took it away for proper disposal, according to police information reported by CBS Pittsburgh. The article emphasizes that the discovery happened during an ordinary clean-out of a recently purchased home, among items left behind by the former owners. It describes the homeowners’ decision to contact police and the subsequent response by local officers and bomb squad personnel. It does not report any injuries or damage.

Researchers are re-examining the burial of a young woman discovered in 2022 at a cemetery in Pień, Poland. Dated to the mid-17th century, her grave contained an iron sickle placed across her neck, with its blade facing her, and a triangular padlock attached to her toe. The objects appear to have been intended to prevent her from returning from the dead. Archaeologists named her Zosia, and a 2026 study led by Dariusz Poliński of Nicolaus Copernicus University suggests local people may have feared she could bring disease, famine or other misfortune. Evidence indicates the grave was disturbed and the body repositioned before the sickle was added, meaning the burial may have taken place in two stages. The article explains that beliefs about the undead in 17th-century Poland differed from modern vampire stories. Some people believed the dead could return to harm the living, and a folk belief held that a person had two souls: a padlock could keep the supposedly good soul in the body and stop the other from escaping. People perceived as outsiders or unusual—including those who died in particular tragic circumstances—could attract suspicion. Zosia’s skeletal remains show she was about 18 and had a vertebral condition that might have caused headaches, neck pain or fainting. Other signs point to childhood stress, and a growth on her breastbone may have affected her appearance. Despite her burial in a cemetery apparently reserved for people excluded from conventional burial grounds, Zosia may have been wealthy. Silk fibres woven with gold and silver were found around her skull. Isotope analysis of her teeth suggests she may have grown up far from Pień, perhaps in southern Sweden or the Upper Rhine region; foreign origins, wealth and physical differences may have made her vulnerable to hostility. Other graves at the site also show unusual anti-return precautions, including stones, locks and face-down burial. The article presents these findings as part of wider vampire-related fears in Central and Eastern Europe. It ends by noting that researchers have reconstructed Zosia’s face, but the supplied article text cuts off before explaining how.

In 1944, while serving with the US Navy in Hawaii during the Second World War, Raymond Boudet sent his wife, Marie, an unusual keepsake: a coconut bearing a carved heart pierced by an arrow and the names “Ray” and “Marie.” The coconut also carried markings associated with the Seabees, a tropical hula-girl decal, and postage that Raymond attached himself. It cost 37 cents to mail and passed through naval and agricultural censorship before traveling by ship through the Fleet Post Office in San Francisco to Marie in Springfield, Massachusetts. Raymond belonged to the 99th Naval Construction Battalion, Company A. The Seabees built and repaired naval bases and other military infrastructure. After spending about a year and a half in Hawaii, Raymond was deployed to Samar in the Philippines. His battalion prepared a hospital camp to treat American soldiers who might be wounded in a possible Japanese invasion. The coconut offered a personal reminder across the distance of wartime service. The article places the gift in the broader history of unusual mail. Since parcel post began in 1913, people have sent unconventional items through the postal system. It recounts the well-known story of an Ohio couple who mailed their eight-month-old child to his grandmother because it was cheaper than a train ticket; rules against mailing people followed soon afterward. Coconuts, by contrast, can still be mailed unwrapped, and tourists in Hawaii continue to send them as novelty postcards. Raymond and Marie married in 1942 at age 19. He returned safely from the war, and their marriage lasted 53 years. Marie eventually donated the coconut, along with a note about its significance, to the Smithsonian’s National Postal Museum. The article presents the surviving coconut as both a piece of postal history and a tangible symbol of a relationship that endured wartime separation and uncertainty.

The article recounts the career and legacy of Zorba, a Belgian Malinois who became the first dog inducted into Aaranyak’s K9 unit, established in Assam in 2011 to help combat wildlife crime. Deployed in Kaziranga National Park, Zorba used his exceptional scent-tracking ability to help forest officials pursue poaching suspects who escaped into dense vegetation and to locate evidence that could support investigations. Among his notable contributions, Zorba helped recover a camera trap hidden in a pond. Its photographs showed poachers and helped authorities identify and arrest people involved. In another case, he followed the blood trail of an injured suspect for nearly 1.5 kilometres. He also worked in Orang National Park and Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary; in Orang, his tracking led officials from a crime scene to a suspect’s home outside the park. His handler, Goura Baidya, described him as unstoppable once he picked up a scent. By 2018, Zorba had assisted in 18 successful operations and helped secure nearly 30 arrests. By August 2022, Aaranyak credited him with helping track more than 60 poachers, around 50 of them in Kaziranga. His work helped demonstrate the value of trained dogs in wildlife-crime investigations and contributed to the expansion of Aaranyak’s unit. By 2022, it had seven dogs, with two more in training. The article also highlights Zorba’s affectionate, playful side, including his fondness for balls, and the close bonds he formed with his handlers. He retired from active duty in December 2019, was honoured with an Assamese gamosa and citation in August 2022, and remained at Aaranyak’s K9 centre. Zorba died in Guwahati on November 21, 2022, aged 12, following age-related health problems. Conservationists and colleagues remembered him as a valued companion and a conservation hero.

For eight years, singer Sia gave personal cash rewards to contestants on the reality show Survivor, separately from the programme’s official prize money. The practice began at the 2016 live finale of Survivor: Kaoh Rong, where Sia was impressed by Tai Trang’s concern for a chicken that other contestants might eat. She gave Trang $50,000, an unexpected gift that was not part of the show’s established prize structure. Sia’s selections reflected her own responses to contestants’ behaviour, personal stories and memorable moments—not their final placement. Contestants did not need to win, reach the finale or be a season’s central personality to receive a gift. The article reports that individual awards ranged from about $14,000 to $100,000, with Sia sometimes favouring gifts of around $15,000 because she understood that amount to be the highest she could give without triggering taxes for the recipient. Host Jeff Probst helped communicate Sia’s decisions. In the show’s earlier live-reunion format, she watched from the audience or Probst’s dressing room, then told him whom she wished to reward. He emphasized that the money came from Sia personally, not from the network or the show’s official prize fund. The announcements created additional moments of recognition during finale proceedings. On May 24, Probst announced on Instagram that the tradition had ended. Across 14 seasons, Sia had reportedly given more than $1 million to 19 contestants. Probst praised her generosity and described the arrangement as an unusual connection between a pop star and a television programme. The article presents the gifts as a separate form of recognition for contestants, independent of the competition’s outcome.

North Korea fired multiple missiles toward waters off its eastern coast on Wednesday, according to South Korea’s military. The launches came hours after Pyongyang rejected US accusations that North Korean hackers were responsible for a major theft from Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange, and ruled out talks with Washington while it considers US policy hostile. South Korea’s Joint Chiefs of Staff said the missiles were detected heading toward the eastern waters and that South Korean and US authorities were examining the details. Seoul said it remained prepared to respond to provocations in coordination with the United States. Binance reported that hackers stole more than $6 billion, which the article describes as apparently the largest cryptocurrency heist on record. The FBI attributed the attack to the North Korean group TraderTraitor, which was also blamed for a $1.5 billion hack of Bybit the previous year. Kim Yo Jong, Kim Jong Un’s sister and a senior North Korean official, rejected the FBI’s claim as part of Washington’s hostile policy. She said North Korea had no need to meet with what she called unreliable and hostile people, and that dialogue would not necessarily serve the country’s interests. The missile activity is part of a broader increase in North Korean weapons testing, despite US President Donald Trump’s stated interest in restoring diplomacy with Kim Jong Un. Analysts cited by the Associated Press said Pyongyang may be trying to secure concessions before talks resume. Recent tests have included submarine-launched ballistic and hypersonic missiles, attack drones, and cluster munitions. A missile test earlier in the year reportedly covered more than 900 kilometres; Wednesday’s launch appeared to be the country’s fourth test in a month. Missile expert Lee Choon-geun said the pace could reflect preparation for mass production and deployment, or possible bulk exports to Russia. Relations between North and South Korea are also strained by mine explosions near their shared border that injured three South Korean soldiers. Seoul accused Pyongyang of planting the mines south of the military demarcation line; North Korea denied responsibility and warned of retaliation. The article also reports that Kim Jong Un visited a naval shipyard building a destroyer and emphasized the need for a powerful navy.

Advanced Micro Devices reported third-quarter 2026 results above Wall Street expectations, with adjusted earnings per share of $2.09 versus $1.95 expected and revenue of $13.38 billion versus $13.09 billion expected. Revenue rose 45% year over year, while data center sales nearly doubled. AMD shares gained 8% in extended trading after the announcement. CEO Lisa Su said demand for AI chips is accelerating and that AMD expects server revenue to double year over year in 2027. She said the company had secured key supply-chain components to support faster growth. Data center products now account for 64% of AMD revenue, up from 47% a year earlier, and the company expects the segment to drive most future revenue and earnings growth. AMD’s CPUs are also benefiting from demand for agentic AI applications, while its Helios rack-scale systems and data center GPUs compete with Nvidia offerings. Meta, Microsoft, Anthropic, OpenAI, and Oracle are beginning to use Helios systems. The outlook was not uniformly strong. AMD’s combined PC and gaming segment revenue fell 8% to $3.7 billion, with gaming revenue down 40%. The broader PC market is weakening, and global shipments fell 4% in the second quarter amid rising component costs. AMD nevertheless forecast fourth-quarter revenue of about $17 billion, above the analyst average, while projecting a 55% gross margin, slightly below the consensus estimate. The report comes amid volatility in AI-related stocks and concern that companies may be overspending on infrastructure. AMD shares had risen roughly 125% to 129% during the year before recent losses. The article also describes AMD’s investments and expansion plans, including a potential $5 billion investment in Anthropic, a $1 billion investment in Meta, plans to increase supply in 2027, and an announced $8.2 billion all-stock acquisition of AI lab World Labs.

CrowdStrike CEO George Kurtz says the company has introduced a tool that lets businesses stop rogue AI agents. Announced Tuesday at the company’s Fal.Con Europe conference, the AI Kill Switch can terminate misbehaving agents, prevent them from restarting and cut off their network access. It is available immediately as part of Falcon Guardian, CrowdStrike’s platform for monitoring AI agents inside organizations. Kurtz presented the tool as a response to concerns about controlling autonomous systems as companies adopt them. He said AI agents previously lacked an “off button” and argued that safeguards are necessary to ensure they operate safely. He also likened the kill switch to airbags: a precaution for systems that may go outside their guardrails while running. The launch fits into a broader shift in cybersecurity, Kurtz said. Traditionally, security providers have focused on external threats; with businesses increasingly using AI agents, they must also help ensure those systems behave as instructed within organizations. Kurtz sees this as a major market opportunity for CrowdStrike, which already develops AI capabilities to prevent external breaches. The article places the product in the context of debate over AI safety. In September, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called for slowing AI development over safety concerns, a position backed by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Kurtz argued that slowing development would not eliminate security risks from systems already in use, making safeguards important as companies deploy autonomous tools. Kurtz also cited growing enterprise demand and CrowdStrike’s partnership with Anthropic to protect its Claude Cowork product. He said customers asked for CrowdStrike’s technology to be integrated before deploying Anthropic’s offerings. CrowdStrike shares had closed at a record $278.86 on Oct. 6, but had fallen about 12% as technology stocks struggled in October and into November.

Google faced political criticism after reports that it would restrict search access at schools that reject artificial intelligence. The controversy followed the company’s announcement of Guided Learning, an AI feature for Google Classroom, and a New York Times report that schools refusing AI could lose access to search. Sen. Bernie Sanders and New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani criticized the policy on social media. Mamdani said Google was using monopoly power to push AI into public schools, while Sanders characterized the policy as a threat and “extortion.” Google said the policy was intended to give schools more control over how students use AI. It clarified that Gemini, Gemini Notebook and search would be off by default, and that schools could choose which services to enable. The company also said it was updating school search with AI Mode and AI Overviews that provide step-by-step guidance rather than simply supplying answers to schoolwork. However, Google did not directly address whether schools could retain search while declining AI. Its education vice president, Chris Phillips, told the Times that search and AI are “deeply integrated.” The dispute comes amid broader scrutiny of Google’s market power, including antitrust cases involving its search and advertising businesses. Former FTC Chair Lina Khan argued that the episode illustrates the risks of an unregulated monopolist controlling an essential service. The article places the issue within a wider debate about technology, children and corporate responsibility: Meta’s settlement in a child-safety case, investigations into OpenAI’s safety practices, a critical risk rating for Google’s AI Overviews from Common Sense Media, and a congressional inquiry into Google’s use of AI in classrooms. The article reports the competing claims and context, but does not resolve whether schools can use Google search without enabling its AI features.

CNBC’s Jim Cramer sees possible signs of a recovery in technology stocks, but believes leadership may come from companies other than the Magnificent Seven. While Nvidia, Microsoft, Alphabet and Meta have struggled to sustain recent rallies, Tuesday’s gains in Broadcom and Micron helped support the major market averages, suggesting investors may be turning to a different group of technology names. Cramer identified Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) and Arista Networks as potential contributors to a sector rebound after both reported strong quarterly results following Tuesday’s market close. He also noted that Oracle shares rose nearly 6% during the session. Still, he cautioned against treating a single positive day as proof of a durable recovery, saying he would like to see a stronger, more decisive upswing before committing more money to technology stocks. Among the risks he highlighted is local opposition to data center construction, driven by concerns about electricity costs and water use. Smaller developers, including Iren, Nebius and CoreWeave, could be especially exposed if projects are canceled or relocated. Larger firms such as Amazon may have more resources to find alternative sites. Cramer also pointed to the war with Iran as a source of market uncertainty. Oil prices fell Tuesday amid hopes for progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations, but he warned that investors have repeatedly underestimated the possibility of escalation. He therefore stopped short of declaring that technology stocks had reached a lasting bottom.

The article describes the Trump administration’s months-long campaign to challenge state election procedures and the legal and political pushback it has faced, as those efforts converge on Election Day in the 2026 midterms. The Department of Justice reportedly sent more than 20 letters connected to an investigation into the Alaska Senate race. Some recipients, including election lawyer Marc Elias and at least one Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee official, were reportedly told they were targets of a criminal investigation; others were instructed to preserve records. The investigation concerns how a candidate named Dan Sullivan appeared on the ballot alongside incumbent Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan. A target letter is not a charge, and does not guarantee charges will follow. Elias called the investigation an effort by President Trump’s DOJ to target him. Trump separately criticized Elias in a television interview. A federal judge dismissed the DOJ’s lawsuit seeking to delay certification of Alaska’s election under certain circumstances, and the department is appealing. The article places the Alaska investigation within wider disputes over election administration, including lawsuits, a proposed Postal Service rule affecting mail ballots, letters to state officials, and an expanded federal election-monitoring operation. The DOJ said it planned to deploy about 1,000 monitors and observers, focusing primarily on urban areas that tend to vote Democratic. The Supreme Court rejected the DOJ’s request to prevent California from counting about 20,000 mail ballots. Meanwhile, Democratic officials and civil-rights advocates say they have prepared for potential interference, voter suppression, intimidation, and challenges to ballot counts and certification. California Attorney General Rob Bonta said officials had planned for possible scenarios and would seek court relief if necessary. The article also notes that Attorney General Todd Blanche acknowledged that DOJ efforts to block certification could be possible in some scenario.

China is pulling ahead in financing clean industrial projects, while emerging economies are increasingly turning renewable resources into factories, jobs and export industries. According to research by the non-profit Mission Possible Partnership (MPP), 36 major clean industrial projects received financing worldwide over the past year; China accounted for 23, worth more than €40 billion. China also hosts 49 per cent of clean industrial plants already operating or under construction, and has more than 90 per cent of global capacity for producing lower-emissions methanol and over 40 per cent of cleaner aluminium capacity. Its clean technology is also being used abroad, including in Laos’s Monsoon Wind project, which supplies power to Vietnam’s manufacturing sector. Researchers say this growing role offers China economic opportunities and may increase its geopolitical influence, especially in emerging economies. Investment is spreading across what MPP calls the “industrial sunbelt” in Africa, Asia and Latin America. Six projects in emerging economies secured €4.7 billion in financing over the past year, exceeding the €4.3 billion invested in developed economies. Examples include a geothermal-powered green fertiliser plant under development in Kenya, a cleaner fertiliser facility in Paraguay, and a South African project producing sustainable aviation fuel from captured carbon dioxide and renewable electricity. MPP counts 281 further projects in development across emerging economies. Europe is trying to respond through its Clean Industrial Deal, which aims to mobilise more than €100 billion, and proposed legislation intended to accelerate factory approvals and demand for European low-carbon products. EU rules requiring aviation fuel suppliers to provide at least two per cent sustainable aviation fuel have also supported investment. Europe and the US retain industrial and technological strengths, including substantial capacity to manufacture electric vehicles, wind turbines and heat pumps. However, more than 800 proposed projects worldwide, representing about €4.3 trillion in potential investment, still lack financing. Unclear policies and a lack of long-term purchase commitments are among the barriers. MPP says the challenge is now to scale up, moving from dozens to hundreds of financed manufacturing plants each year.

The article highlights 12 outdoor ice rinks across Europe as ways for visitors to add skating to a winter city break. It presents them as alternatives or complements to familiar seasonal activities such as Christmas markets, festive food and sightseeing, emphasizing settings that range from historic squares and parks to castle grounds and a Roman amphitheatre. Many rinks are paired with seasonal attractions, food and drink, music or illuminated trails. The recommendations span Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Austria, Germany, Sweden, Hungary, Norway, Denmark and Croatia. Among the featured spots are Zurich’s large Dolder Open-Air Ice Rink, Amsterdam’s rink beside the Rijksmuseum, and London’s Skate at Somerset House, known for its courtyard setting and evening DJ sessions. Vienna’s Wiener Eistraum offers illuminated trails through a park, while Budapest’s Városligeti Műjégpálya is described as one of Europe’s most historic outdoor rinks, operating since 1870. Other suggestions include rinks at Munich’s Karlsplatz, Stockholm’s Kungsträdgården, Cologne’s Christmas market, Berlin’s Neptune Fountain, Oslo’s Spikersuppa and Copenhagen’s Kongens Nytorv. The final recommendation is Pula’s rink in its roughly 2,000-year-old Roman amphitheatre, where festive lights complement the ancient stone arches. The article provides opening dates and, where relevant, closure dates for the 2026–27 winter season. Several dates are precise, while others are given as scheduled or expected openings. Overall, it is a practical, upbeat guide for travelers looking to combine outdoor skating with cultural landmarks and festive city experiences.

The article describes research suggesting that taking cold showers can offer personal and environmental benefits, while acknowledging that the practice may initially be uncomfortable. Psychologist Dr Lena Glaser studied whether small, rewarding lifestyle changes might encourage more lasting behaviour change than climate policies perceived as requiring people to give things up or spend money. In her study, 719 healthy adults aged 18 to 65 who did not already take cold showers were asked to use the coldest water their showers allowed for 12 weeks. Some participants stopped during the first two weeks, but the dropout rate later declined, which Glaser says may indicate that people adapt to the discomfort. The study did not account for participants’ existing environmental attitudes. Participants said cold showers made them feel more awake and refreshed, and some took pride in completing an uncomfortable task. Those who continued reported longer-term improvements in physical and mental health. The article notes that evidence for cold-water immersion’s therapeutic benefits remains limited, even though many benefits are commonly reported by advocates. In the study, participants took an average of 31 per cent fewer sick days than the control group. Cold showers may also reduce household water and energy use: people are less likely to linger, and less energy is needed to heat the water. The article calculates that lowering a 40-litre shower’s temperature from 40°C to 15°C saves 1.3 kWh—enough, approximately, to run a load of laundry or charge a phone 100 times. Over the 12-week study, participants reduced their carbon dioxide emissions by 15 kilograms per person, comparable to the emissions from driving 100 kilometres. Glaser recommends starting gradually, adjusting the temperature in small steps, and listening to one’s body. She emphasizes that the water need not be equally cold every day and that it is acceptable to vary the challenge.

Thousands of people joined protests across the Czech Republic on Tuesday as public media employees went on strike over a government proposal to replace individual licence fees with funding from the state budget. The plan, advanced by Prime Minister Andrej Babiš’s three-party coalition, would fund Czech Television and Czech Radio directly through the budget. The broadcasters would receive about 15% less money than under the current system, a reduction that could lead to layoffs, less production and cancelled programmes. Protesters and critics fear that relying on state funding would give the government leverage over public broadcasters and threaten media freedom and editorial independence. They point to developments in Slovakia under Prime Minister Robert Fico and in Hungary under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán as examples of populist governments exerting greater influence over media. Babiš has rejected the accusations, saying that the government does not want to control or nationalise public media and that the protesters’ claims are untrue. The coalition says the broadcasters need to reduce costs and maintains that the change will not affect editorial independence or programme content. Czech Television and Czech Radio reduced their programming during the strike. Michal Kubal, Czech Television’s chief news editor, described the action as unprecedented in the history of Czech public service media. Viewers saw a statement saying staff were working to preserve the full scope and quality of public service; broadcasts were limited to archived material and shorter news bulletins. Media workers marched from their headquarters to a central Prague square, where university students and other demonstrators joined them. Some wore triangular paper hats associated with a popular Czech television character that has become a protest symbol. The strike received support from unions, university deans, churches, artists, athletes and international media organisations. A joint statement by the European Federation of Journalists, Reporters Without Borders and other groups warned that the proposed funding model could invite political pressure and threaten editorial independence. The bill had passed its first of three readings in parliament during a controversial overnight session the previous month.

The UK Supreme Court is scheduled to hear a two-day appeal by Palestine Action co-founder Huda Ammori challenging the government’s decision to designate the group as a terrorist organisation. The government will defend the ban, which was imposed in July 2025. Ammori’s appeal is limited to whether the Home Office followed its own criteria when making that decision. Court documents cited by Ammori say that only three of 385 actions attributed to Palestine Action over five years were assessed as meeting the definition of terrorism. The prohibition has not ended public support for the group. Defend Our Juries says about 4,200 people have been arrested since the ban, including more than 300 detained during a London protest on 31 October 2026 for displaying a slogan supporting Palestine Action. Those arrested have included pensioners, a priest, a military veteran, a former financial adviser and Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg. Under the Terrorism Act, publicly expressing support for the group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison. The ban puts Palestine Action in the same legal category as Al-Qaeda and Hezbollah. Founded in 2020, Palestine Action describes itself as a direct-action movement opposing support for Israel. The ban followed vandalism attributed to the movement, including damage at a Royal Air Force base and actions targeting Israeli arms manufacturer Elbit Systems in August 2024. The legal case has shifted between courts. In February, the High Court ruled that proscribing the group was disproportionate and substantially interfered with freedom of expression and assembly. The Court of Appeal overturned that ruling in June, finding the ban was not unlawful and describing Palestine Action as a covert organisation operating with secret cells. If Ammori loses at the Supreme Court, she has indicated she will take the case to the European Court of Human Rights.

Euronews presents its morning news bulletin for 4 November 2026, updated at 7:00 GMT+1. The page describes the bulletin as a short roundup of important stories from Europe and elsewhere, covering world affairs, business, politics, culture, entertainment and travel. It says the newsroom aims to provide context for a fast-moving news day and to offer a clear, reliable overview from a European perspective. The supplied page text does not include the video’s transcript or report the bulletin’s actual lead stories. It therefore provides no detailed accounts, evidence or outcomes from the events mentioned elsewhere on the page. The surrounding links and recommendations refer to a broad range of topics, including the US midterm elections, EU enlargement, Portugal housing protests, reported US strikes on Iran, flooding, travel, business and cultural events. These appear as related video or news headlines rather than confirmed contents of this morning’s bulletin. The page’s main purpose is to direct viewers to the video and describe the kind of coverage it offers, rather than to present a written news report.

France 24 reports on the Michigan Senate race during the 2026 U.S. midterm elections. Democrat Abdul El-Sayed is competing against Republican Mike Rogers for the seat. The report frames Michigan as a potential Republican pickup after New Hampshire and Georgia remained in Democratic hands, making the state a focus for Republicans seeking to gain ground. France 24 correspondent Jessica Le Masurier reports from a Democratic watch party in Detroit. The supplied article text does not provide further details about the candidates’ platforms, campaign events, polling, or the election result, so the report’s specific analysis and reactions cannot be established from the available content.

The France 24 video report examines why vote-counting results in California take longer to emerge during the US midterm elections. It begins from the circumstance that California polling places have just closed, while warning that results will take longer to come in. The report frames the delay as a question for explanation rather than providing a detailed answer in the accompanying text. To discuss the issue, France 24 speaks with Guy Marzorati, identified as a political correspondent at KQED in the Bay Area. The supplied page text does not include the interview’s specific explanation or further details about California’s voting and counting procedures, so it is not possible to establish from this material exactly what causes the slower count. The item is a short video, listed as 2 minutes and 20 seconds, issued on November 4, 2026. Its subject is the pace of election-result reporting in California within the broader context of the US midterm elections.

An Associated Press voter survey suggests that the 2026 US midterms are shaping up as a judgment on President Donald Trump’s first two years back in office. About six in ten voters deeply disapprove of his presidency, and roughly three-quarters say they are angry or dissatisfied with the direction of the country. The economy is the leading concern for about four in ten voters, while three in ten identify the state of democracy as their top issue. Many respondents attribute higher prices to Trump’s policies, and about 70% want Congress to impose more checks and balances on his presidency. Democrats hope voter dissatisfaction will help them win control of the House and Senate, although the article stresses that the outcome remains uncertain. Midterm elections usually cost the president’s party seats, and Democrats appear especially motivated, while Trump is relying on his working-class base. The House is considered more likely to flip, but redistricting and fewer competitive districts may limit Democratic gains. In the Senate, Democrats need four seats and must win in states Trump carried in 2024. The article names races in Pennsylvania, Florida, Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia, Ohio, Iowa, Kansas, Texas and Alaska as important indicators or targets. The report also highlights concerns that the Trump administration could interfere with election processes. It describes legal disputes involving Alaska and California, the Justice Department’s deployment of staff to observe voting, and fears that federal agents or the National Guard might be used to intimidate voters—an action the administration says it has no current plans to take. Democratic groups and election watchdogs have prepared monitoring and response efforts, including a “War Room” that has considered possible scenarios. Finally, the article notes that Democrats face internal competition between progressive and moderate factions, with Michigan Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed presented as a prominent test for progressives.

France 24 reports from a Democratic watch party in Los Angeles as early victories in the 2026 US midterm elections prompt a celebratory response. Correspondent Wassim Cornet describes the mood at the gathering, saying people are opening bottles of champagne after the Democrats’ first wins. The report also includes France 24 journalist Jessica Le Masurier, who is reporting from Detroit, Michigan. The article provides no further details about the election results, the specific races involved, or what Le Masurier reports from Detroit. Its focus is therefore the immediate atmosphere at the Los Angeles watch party and the presence of correspondents covering the results from two US cities. The video was issued on November 4, 2026, and updated a few minutes later. The available text presents the victories as early developments rather than a complete account of the midterm outcome. It conveys a celebratory moment among Democrats while framing the event as part of France 24’s broader election-night coverage. No additional claims about the causes or consequences of the results can be established from the provided article text.

France 24’s video segment, issued on November 4, 2026, discusses Democrats’ prospects in the US midterm elections. The introduction describes a shift in expectations: Democrats who had previously regarded the political map as an almost impossible challenge are now hopeful that they may be able to win a majority in the Senate. That outcome would require success in several states considered more conservative, making the path difficult even as the party’s outlook has improved. The segment features Leila Meresman, identified as a spokesperson for Democrats Abroad France, in a discussion of the party’s hopes. The supplied article text does not include a transcript or additional details about her remarks, the states at issue, polling, or the specific factors behind Democrats’ more optimistic assessment. Its central point is therefore the contrast between Democrats’ earlier pessimism and their current hope of reaching a Senate majority, while acknowledging the electoral obstacles that remain. The page also displays links to other election coverage, including reports about early Democratic victories, voter frustration with President Trump, Democratic gains in places where the party did not win, and individual Senate races. These are related headlines rather than substantive details from this video’s article text. Overall, the item is a brief news introduction to an interview-style video, presenting Democrats’ Senate hopes as a developing election story rather than making a detailed prediction about the outcome.

A São Paulo state court has issued a preliminary injunction requiring Meta to stop using Brazilian media outlets’ content to train its artificial intelligence models. The order follows a civil suit brought by three national press associations, which alleged that Meta’s new terms of service for businesses would require media organizations to provide content for free in exchange for continuing to use the company’s platforms. The terms were due to take effect on November 20. Judge Guilherme Madeira Dezem ruled that allowing AI models to be trained on the material could cause irreversible harm to the outlets. He suspended the disputed terms, prohibited Meta from penalizing media organizations that reject them, and set a fine of one million reais per day if the company fails to comply. Meta has five days after being notified of the ruling to present its defence. Because the terms were due to take effect soon, the judge issued the ruling without waiting for a response from the company. Meta had not immediately responded to an AFP request for comment. In his decision, Dezem described requiring media outlets to surrender copyrighted work for free as a condition of remaining on platforms used to access news as a manifest abuse of rights. Marcelo Rech, executive president of the National Association of Newspapers, one of the plaintiffs, welcomed the injunction as evidence that there are limits to the abuse of economic power. The associations said the ruling was the first in any country in favour of a coalition of media organizations challenging Meta’s new terms.

The Associated Press projected that Democrat Kathy Hochul had won a second full term as New York governor, defeating Republican Bruce Blakeman. Hochul, a moderate Democrat from Erie County, had led in polls throughout the campaign. Her victory preserves the governorship for Democrats as the party seeks to use voter concerns about inflation and other issues to strengthen its position nationally and in state governments. Hochul campaigned on reducing living costs, expanding access to childcare and avoiding increases to income taxes. New Yorkers have faced rising prices for essentials as well as higher electricity bills. Blakeman, the Nassau County executive, criticized Hochul’s record on costs and tried to associate her with New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, whom he characterized as a radical. Hochul countered by emphasizing Blakeman’s relationship with President Donald Trump, who endorsed him and appeared at campaign events. A September Siena poll found that 62% of state voters disapproved of Trump’s performance in his second term. Hochul also pledged to resist Trump’s policies, especially on immigration. After Trump returned to office in 2025 and launched a deportation campaign, she restricted cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration authorities. She also imposed a year-long pause on new artificial-intelligence data-centre construction, an issue that has become politically salient nationwide. Hochul and her allies substantially outspent Blakeman and Republican supporters on advertising, spending about US$49 million compared with US$24.6 million by November 2. Hochul became New York’s first woman governor in 2021 after Andrew Cuomo resigned amid sexual-harassment allegations. She is set to begin her new four-year term in January with running mate Adrienne Adams, who will become the first Black woman to serve as lieutenant-governor. Hochul will face pressure from Democratic lawmakers backed by the Democratic Socialists of America to raise taxes on wealthy residents. She previously declined to raise corporate or income taxes, while approving a tax on luxury second homes in New York City. The article also notes that Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont was leading Republican state Senator Ryan Fazio.

Democratic state Representative Gina Hinojosa defeated three-term Republican Governor Greg Abbott in the Texas gubernatorial election, according to U.S. media projections on November 3, 2026. The upset would end the Republican Party’s three-decade hold on the governor’s office. Hinojosa would also become the first Hispanic person elected to lead Texas and the first Democrat to win statewide office in the state since 1994—a Democratic drought described as the longest in the nation. Abbott spent US$100 million defending his governorship and seeking a historic fourth term. Hinojosa was initially considered an unlikely challenger: Democrats had written off the race and struggled to find someone willing to run against Abbott. She entered the contest after no other Democrat did, amid a broader national effort by Democrats to field candidates in every race. The Texas result was part of a strong night for Democrats. Media projections indicated that the party was on track to gain control of both the House of Representatives and the Senate, while also winning notable contests in traditionally conservative states including South Carolina and Kansas. Democrats had made governors’ offices and state legislatures a focus, in part as a response to Republican mid-decade redistricting efforts. The article characterizes the wider results as a Democratic rout in Republican strongholds and links voter rejection to President Donald Trump, his handling of the economy, and the war with Iran.

After Israel’s Oct. 27 election produced no clear governing majority, President Isaac Herzog began consultations with political parties on Nov. 4 to decide whom to invite to form a government. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s bloc holds 53 of the Knesset’s 120 seats, ahead of opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot’s Yashar-led bloc with 48, but neither reaches the 61 seats needed for a majority. Herzog, whose office is largely ceremonial, has discretion over the first mandate and has indicated he wants to explore every option and avoid another election. His consultations begin with smaller parties, with meetings with Likud and Yashar scheduled for the second day; he may also hold further discussions or explore a unity government. Eisenkot could potentially reach a majority with support from Arab-majority parties, whose combined representation rose to 19 seats. However, some opposition figures are reluctant to depend on Arab lawmakers. Netanyahu has urged a broad coalition excluding Arab parties and accused them of electoral wrongdoing. Israel’s attorney general asked the Shin Bet to report on its investigation into fraud allegations, although no evidence had been submitted. Arab-Israeli leaders rejected the claims, and Eisenkot accused Netanyahu’s party of attacking democracy. The political standoff reflects deeper divisions after three years of war and Netanyahu’s hard-right government. Netanyahu, Israel’s longest-serving prime minister, faces corruption charges and could lose the immunity associated with remaining in power. He has also threatened renewed full-scale war on Iran. Opposition leaders say they will move quickly to remove him, while rejecting his proposed unity government and citing his responsibility for failing to prevent the Oct. 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Under the process, a candidate given the mandate has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to form a government. If successive efforts fail, lawmakers get a further chance to nominate a candidate; otherwise, Israel would hold another election. The country held five elections between 2019 and 2022 after previous deadlocks.

Gareth Hopkins, a 43-year-old paramedic and father of four, collapsed in cardiac arrest about 2km from the finish of the 2026 London Marathon. He had been running for Age UK in memory of his grandmother and had raised just over £13,000. Shortly before collapsing, he called his wife, Jodie, saying he could not continue. When the call dropped and she became concerned, she tracked his location and went to a medical tent, where she learned he was in cardiac arrest. Hopkins’s heart stopped for 16 minutes. He was taken to St Thomas’ Hospital, where he spent about four weeks in intensive care in a coma. Doctors feared he might remain in a vegetative state. After 28 days, he began showing signs of waking, which Jodie described as one of many small victories. His recovery included infections, kidney failure and other complications, followed by rehabilitation at Northwick Park Hospital. He had to relearn basic abilities such as talking, walking, eating and drinking. Hopkins credited his determination and family with helping him persevere. After four months at the rehabilitation hospital, staff applauded his departure and gave him a donated London Marathon medal. Still, he wanted to complete the final mile he had missed, both to honour his grandmother and Age UK and to thank his supporters. On Nov 1, six months after his collapse, he ran that last mile and crossed the marathon finish line.

Chinese authorities have rejected reports that a 32kg object found at a construction site in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, was a Chinese-made artillery shell. The Chinese embassy said in a Facebook post that the object was a “shell-shaped wine bottle” and posed no danger, a claim that drew skeptical responses from users questioning its weight and the absence of wine-bottle labels. Police arrested four Chinese nationals last Friday after the object was discovered in a commercial shipping container. Papua New Guinea authorities were investigating whether it was a live device, and police commissioner David Manning described the discovery as “very concerning.” Local reporting had also said police dismissed the possibility that the object was merely a dummy. The Australia Broadcasting Corporation reported, citing unnamed sources, that the object was an unexploded 130mm Chinese Type 59 artillery projectile containing chemical explosives and a fuse. The BBC said it had not independently verified that account. The Chinese embassy argued that smuggling an illegal military-grade shell out of China would be “virtually impossible,” citing China’s strict firearm-control laws and describing the country as one of the safest globally. The article presents conflicting claims about the object’s identity and danger, while noting that its reported identification as a live projectile remains unverified by the BBC.

US President Donald Trump said the United States would stop providing Israel with nearly $4 billion in annual military assistance by the end of 2026, despite an existing security agreement scheduled to run until September 2028. Speaking to Fox News, Trump said he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had agreed to end the payments, and that Israel no longer needed them. He added that the United States would still help Israel if necessary and that Israel could continue buying US weapons. Trump did not explain how the aid would be ended before the agreement expires. The current assistance is provided under a 10-year memorandum of understanding that began in 2019. Israel has received more than $300 billion in inflation-adjusted US economic and military support since its founding in 1948. Netanyahu has previously said Israel should reduce its dependence on US assistance and develop an independent arms industry. But opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot condemned Trump’s announcement, saying Israel’s defense establishment had learned about the change through the media and arguing that Netanyahu should be replaced. Trump made the remarks on the day of US midterm elections, which were seen as a test of his second term and could shift control of Congress. The article connects his announcement to growing criticism of US support for Israel, including objections from Democrats who cite domestic living costs and Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Polls cited by the article show rising numbers of Americans who consider the United States too supportive of Israel or view Israel unfavorably. Trump said ending the aid would blunt a political argument used by left-wing Democrats. In the same interview, Trump confirmed that US forces had struck an Iranian anti-aircraft facility, describing the attack as minor. The article notes that the US-Israeli war with Iran had driven up US gasoline prices and reduced Trump’s approval ratings. A regional-policy expert called the timing of Trump’s statements curious, given the election and speculation about a possible larger joint strike against Iran.

The article examines whether disgust sensitivity is linked to political beliefs, and whether that relationship differs between liberals and conservatives. Earlier research, including a review of 24 studies, found that people who said they were more easily disgusted also tended to hold more socially conservative views. One evolutionary explanation is that disgust helps people avoid infection, while a cautious approach to potential threats may extend to preferences for traditional social rules. But researchers stress that the evidence is uncertain and the relationship is small. Disgust has several forms: pathogen disgust, sexual disgust and moral disgust. A 2020 study found that conservatives reported more disgust toward examples involving sexual behavior and drug use, while liberals reported more toward animal abuse and environmental pollution. Yet the groups did not clearly differ in how easily disgusted they said they were in general. Early studies of physical reactions to disturbing images also proved difficult to replicate. A study by Manos Tsakiris and Mariana von Mohr explored whether people’s awareness of internal bodily sensations—called interoceptive sensibility—might help explain the connection. Surveying 632 US adults, they found that sexual disgust was associated with conservatism regardless of reported bodily awareness. Moral disgust was associated with conservatism only among people reporting lower bodily awareness. The study found no direct link between bodily awareness and political views, and did not establish causation. Researchers caution that questionnaire measures of sexual disgust may partly capture existing beliefs about sex, and that the new findings need further testing. They also suggest that political messaging can label people’s uneasy feelings as anger or disgust, potentially turning judgments about individuals into judgments about whole groups. The article concludes that disgust is only one of many influences on politics; voters’ decisions are complex, and the direction of influence may run both ways. Tsakiris recommends critically examining emotional reactions and listening to people with different perspectives.

South Africans are voting in closely watched municipal elections that could reveal the country’s political mood ahead of the 2029 general election. The contest is unfolding amid widespread dissatisfaction with failing public services and infrastructure, including unreliable water, electricity, roads and sewage systems, alongside persistent inequality and unemployment above 30 percent. Although more than 29 million people are registered, turnout has been a concern: only 46 percent voted in the 2021 municipal elections, and fewer than 1.4 million of the 2.6 million people approved for special voting cast ballots this time. The African National Congress (ANC), once the country’s dominant party, is still expected to win the largest national share, but its support has declined sharply. It fell below 50 percent in the 2021 municipal elections and won just over 40 percent in 2024, after which it formed a government of national unity with nine other parties. The Democratic Alliance is targeting Johannesburg, while the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party, led by former president Jacob Zuma, is challenging for Durban after winning 14.5 percent nationally in 2024. Anti-migrant sentiment has also featured in the Durban campaign. Voters elect municipal councillors, who select mayors and establish city administrations. With majorities uncertain in several cities, coalition negotiations may follow; coalitions or minority administrations already govern 74 of South Africa’s 257 municipalities. Analysts say voters’ everyday experiences are likely to outweigh party loyalty, while coalition politics may encourage greater political tolerance. Results expected on Sunday will clarify the political landscape and could influence the ANC’s leadership contest at its December 2027 conference, ahead of the next national election.

South Africa’s African National Congress (ANC) is expected to suffer a major setback in local elections, as voters express anger over water outages, power cuts and deteriorating infrastructure. Although the ANC is still forecast to remain the country’s largest party, polls suggest it could receive less than a third of the vote—well below its 45.6% result in the 2021 municipal elections and 40.2% in the 2024 national elections. Fragmented voting may nevertheless allow it to lead some municipal coalitions, even as it loses control of others. Coalition instability is already common across South Africa’s 257 municipalities, and analysts link frequent changes in leadership to weak service delivery. Johannesburg has had 10 mayors in 10 years and has recently endured water shortages. Ekurhuleni and Tshwane have also seen repeated changes of mayor; in October, contaminated water in Tshwane’s Bronkhorstspruit was linked to gastrointestinal illness in more than 800 people. In Gauteng, the Democratic Alliance (DA) leads polling in Johannesburg, Ekurhuleni and Tshwane but remains below 40%. The ANC’s national leadership is reportedly open to cooperating with the DA, as the parties do in the national government of national unity, while local ANC figures oppose such an arrangement. In Johannesburg, DA mayoral hopeful Helen Zille has campaigned with attention-grabbing stunts, but faces distrust among some black voters over past remarks about colonialism and concerns about housing costs in DA-run Cape Town. ActionSA leader Herman Mashaba has ruled out working with Zille, while the ANC’s mayoral field is unsettled by internal factionalism. In Durban’s eThekwini metro, Jacob Zuma’s uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party is polling above 40%, drawing support away from the ANC. The DA is expected to retain Cape Town, though its vote may fall amid housing affordability concerns. The electoral commission has a week to announce final results; parties then have two weeks to form councils and elect mayors.

The live report describes mounting uncertainty over efforts to end the eight-month Iran war, alongside continuing military and economic disruption across the region. An Iranian senior figure questioned the U.S. response to Tehran’s latest proposal and said Iran’s conditions—including a halt to fighting on all Middle Eastern fronts—must be met before the Strait of Hormuz can reopen. President Trump said a deal remained possible and claimed Iran wanted a settlement soon. U.S. forces, meanwhile, conducted what American officials called limited defensive strikes on Iranian targets near the strait after an apparent attack on a U.S. aircraft. Developments reported on November 3 included a tanker being hit by two unidentified projectiles off Oman. The U.K. Maritime Trade Operations agency reported no injuries or environmental damage and advised vessels to proceed cautiously. Egypt’s foreign minister urged Iran to show flexibility and prioritize diplomacy, although Iran reiterated that negotiations and reopening the strait depended on its seven-point plan. The report says the United States is unlikely to accept many of that plan’s terms, which include unfreezing Iranian assets, lifting a port blockade, compensation for bombing damage, and ending military operations, including Israeli attacks in Lebanon. Elsewhere, Saudi-led coalition forces intercepted drones, including one over eastern Saudi Arabia, a major oil-producing region. Houthi attacks and security concerns have also disrupted Saudi Arabia’s international sports calendar: the 2027 Asian Cup was postponed, and other events were moved or canceled. Despite these disruptions, Saudi Aramco reported a 35% rise in third-quarter net profit, supported by higher oil prices and asset-sale proceeds. The company maintained exports through alternative routes and a U.S.-protected corridor despite risks to shipping through Hormuz and attacks on facilities. Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said Iran’s leadership and armed forces would decide when and under what conditions the opposing attacks would end.