Wednesday, 4 November 2026

Reform UK has pledged to bar further prosecutions of British soldiers within 100 days of taking office, except with explicit Defence Secretary consent. The party's newly appointed defence spokesman Angus MacIntyre said Reform would pardon veterans convicted for carrying out orders and terminate ongoing prosecutions. However, former military figures questioned the proposal's legality. Former army intelligence officer Philip Ingram said there was no legal mechanism to achieve what Reform promised, while veteran campaigner Paul Young argued a Supreme Court judge should decide whether cases proceed.

Australia's largest oil and gas company Woodside Energy will cut more than 500 jobs, about 10 per cent of its workforce, as part of a drive to save US$400m annually from 2028. Chief executive Liz Westcott, who took the role in March, said the company aimed to 'extract more value' from its portfolio. Woodside has 4,700 staff globally, including 3,700 in Australia.

Two people were seriously injured in a car crash near South Bend on Tuesday. A car driven by a Nebraska City woman failed to stop at a stop sign on Quarry Oaks Drive and collided with a semi-truck driven by a man from New Castle, Delaware at the intersection of Highway 66 and 310th Street at about 3:44 p.m. The woman sustained severe injuries whilst the two occupants in the truck sustained minor injuries. All three were taken to CHI Health Bergan Mercy. The crash remains under investigation and charges are pending.

US President Donald Trump publicly backed Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday, saying he is 'doing a very good job', despite reports that advisers see him as vulnerable. Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in midterm elections reflecting voter anger over the Iran war, which Trump has said Hegseth championed. One Trump adviser said Hegseth 'could be on the chopping block' because of the conflict, warning that 'someone is going to get blamed' and 'it's not going to be him (Trump)'. Vice President JD Vance questioned whether the war was worth the cost to Republicans.

William Clark, 28, was arrested after allegedly making a 'finger gun' gesture towards a National Guard service member near the White House on Monday evening. He was detained by National Guard members and charged with threats in a menacing manner, a misdemeanour that carries a maximum penalty of 180 days in prison or a $1,000 fine under D.C. law. Clark pleaded not guilty and was released on personal recognisance.

Missouri Democrats flipped 16 seats in the state House and two in the state Senate in Tuesday's midterm election, breaking a 14-year Republican supermajority in the Legislature. Republicans retain 95 House seats to Democrats' 68, enough to pass bills and budgets alone but requiring Democratic support to override vetoes or enact emergency legislation. House Minority Leader Ashley Aune said the party's long-term goal was to take back the general assembly and continue momentum.

Billionaire Leon Black has filed a federal defamation lawsuit against California Representative Robert Garcia, seeking $7.25 million in damages over comments the Democratic congressman made linking him to disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Black claims Garcia's statements were false and made maliciously, causing him physical harm threats, hateful communications, and damage to his business and philanthropic work.

Demonstrators in Tehran burned a giant banner depicting US President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at rallies marking the anniversary of the 1979 US embassy hostage crisis. The protests included chants of 'Death to America' and 'Death to Israel', with crowds stamping on American and Israeli flags.

A study published in the Lancet Planetary Health journal has found that swapping dairy products for plant-based alternatives such as oat or almond milk could lead to deficiencies in vital micronutrients. Even partial replacement of dairy with plant-based options increases the risk, particularly among children, teenagers and women. The greatest concern surrounds iodine deficiency, which affects thyroid function and brain development.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has sued four retailers, including Herb Depot in Independence, alleging they sold marijuana products disguised as legal hemp while falsely marketing themselves as state-licensed dispensaries. The lawsuits follow a federal court ruling that cleared the way for House Bill 2641, which closes loopholes in the state's hemp regulations, to take effect on 12 November 2026. The state alleges the retailers misled consumers about THC levels and product legality.

Florida Republicans redrew the state's congressional map before the election to favour their party, but the changes did not produce additional seats. Republicans held 20 members in Florida's congressional delegation before and after the election. Two House races in Central Florida remained too close to call, with Democratic incumbents performing better than expected in redrawn districts. Governor Ron DeSantis attributed the results to a surge in Democratic turnout and a shift in the political landscape.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has spoken publicly to deny allegations of battery after more women came forward with accusations. Jacobs was arrested in May after his then-girlfriend accused him of throwing her to the ground and destroying her phone. He pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of battery and criminal damage to property in September. Last week, the Hobart-Lawrence Police Department released investigation records including similar allegations from three further women from years earlier. Jacobs told reporters on Wednesday the situation feels 'like an attack on me and who I am', and said he would 'roll with the punches' while the NFL's investigation continues. His lawyers have claimed the release of records amounts to 'character assassination' that unfairly threatens his career. Jacobs recently returned to play after missing the first six games of the season on the commissioner's exempt list.

Isaac Heeney, a Sydney Swans player, has made a rare public appearance in Hong Kong, spotted celebrating at Happy Valley racecourse after staying out of the spotlight since an alleged Pullman hotel scandal in August. Heeney was briefly seen at the AFL club's headquarters in late September and issued a statement, but subsequently avoided attending the club's best and fairest awards night. He has now resurfaced overseas at the races, posing with Australian jockey Zac Purton after a horse he was with won at Happy Valley.

Congress set aside $50 billion to shield rural health providers from Medicaid cuts over the next decade. Nebraska received $218 million of that funding, but analysis shows less than 20% has gone to rural hospitals, with much going to big cities and out-of-state contractors instead. State leaders argue more money will eventually reach rural areas. Garden County's only hospital, which filed for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in August, was denied a grant application for $828,231.

Police in Sydney's north west are appealing for help identifying two men accused of stealing about A$1100 worth of canned tuna from a Coles supermarket at North Rocks on 7 October. One man allegedly filled a trolley with the tuna while his accomplice waited near the entrance and activated the entry gates at the right moment to let him leave without paying. The incident was captured on CCTV.

Nathalia Filgueiras, a 20-year-old co-pilot, died on Sunday when the Learjet she was flying crashed near West Palm Beach, Florida, killing all nine people aboard. Her former flight instructor, Chris Kirk, described her as 'the most naturally gifted pilot' he had taught in forty years. When Filgueiras obtained her Pilot-in-Command type rating for the Learjet with fewer than 1,100 hours of experience, an examiner believed she had about 5,000 hours.

Defence contractor Lockheed Martin has agreed to pay $29.5 million to settle federal allegations that its diversity and equity initiatives led to discrimination against white workers. The company will pay $22 million to the US government and $7.5 million to over 1,000 affected employees. Lockheed Martin denied the allegations but said it agreed to the settlement to avoid prolonged litigation.

Typhoons have killed dozens and caused widespread disruption across East Asia in recent months, with the extreme weather exacerbated by El Niño. Typhoon Champi, equivalent to a category five hurricane with winds of 295km/h, forced Taiwan to shut down in October, cancelling hundreds of flights across the region and cutting power to tens of thousands of homes, though it did not make landfall. The UK Met Office has forecast this year's El Niño to be the 'strongest in living memory', lasting until February or March, with sea surface temperatures in parts of the Pacific reaching 4C above normal—the highest since records began in 1949.

Indiana, Florida and Alabama are scheduled to carry out three executions on Thursday by lethal injection. This marks the second time this year that three states have executed people on the same day. The executions come as the death penalty faces renewed scrutiny following Tennessee's failed execution of Christa Pike in September, though courts have rejected efforts to halt other executions.

Davide Tamburella was fired from La Costa restaurant in Brisbane's Fortitude Valley on 20 May after refusing to put pineapple on pizzas, saying it was an insult to his culture. At a meeting two weeks earlier, management raised his refusal to provide ham and pineapple pizzas for a function as a performance concern. This was the third time in four years he had refused such a direction. Tamburella took his case to Australia's Fair Work Commission, claiming unfair dismissal, but the commission dismissed his application. Management also cited other issues including his use of foul language and escalation of frustration in the workplace.

Rural medical students Eliza O'Sullivan and Brooke McDonald have founded Rural Rounds to mentor regional and disadvantaged students through university applications and medical career pathways. Rural teenagers face significant barriers to studying medicine, including STEM teacher shortages that force some to travel for science classes, limited exposure to the medical profession, and pressure to achieve university entrance scores of 99 and above whilst competing with better-resourced city peers. Research shows that rurally-raised medical students are more likely to stay in regional areas to fill long-term doctor shortages, though complex policies can force junior doctors away during their final training years.

Joshua Wong, a 30-year-old Hong Kong pro-democracy activist, is expected to be sentenced Thursday for his second conviction under a Beijing-imposed national security law. Wong pleaded guilty in September to conspiracy to collude with foreign forces, facing a potential prison term ranging from three years to life imprisonment. He is already serving a four-year, eight-month sentence from his first conviction.

Erika Kirk, widow of Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, has called on conservatives to remain positive and united following Republican election setbacks. According to Independent World, Republicans lost control of Congress in the midterms, with Democrats gaining seven Senate seats and 30 House seats. Kirk said her late husband had built Turning Point USA as a permanent operation designed to weather both victories and defeats, and urged supporters to avoid infighting and maintain faith.

The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office is investigating multiple areas of interest in southeast Fond du Lac County relating to the 1983 disappearance of 5-year-old Robert 'Bobby Joe' Fritz. The excavations follow a July dig at the Campbellsport home where Fritz lived when he disappeared. Evidence and items recovered from that initial excavation are being tested at a private laboratory, with results still pending.

Chinese carmaker Geely has unveiled the Xingyao 6 EF, a plug-in hybrid sedan that can run on methanol, petrol or electricity. The four-door sedan offers a claimed combined range of up to 1250km on methanol with a full battery charge, extending to 1880km using petrol instead. Geely has not announced plans to bring the methanol-powered model to Australia, though the related Emgrand L EM-i petrol hybrid is confirmed for arrival in the first half of 2027.

A verdict has been reached in a child torture trial in Gage County, Nebraska. On Wednesday, 32-year-old Timothy Erks was found guilty of five felony counts, including negligent child abuse, related to the June 2025 death of five-year-old Felix Reyna. His sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Dianna Russini has been telling people around the NFL that she will announce a new job next week, according to reports. The former NFL insider resigned from The Athletic in April after photos emerged of her at an Arizona resort with New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel. An industry source told the New York Post that Russini will be 'headlining her own show' on a digital platform launching next week. The exact platform and nature of the role remain unclear, though reports suggest it may involve a gambling or prediction provider.

Rep. Richard Hudson, who chairs the NRCC, has lost his North Carolina 9th District seat to Democrat Richard Ojeda, a retired Army major and former West Virginia state senator. Hudson lost by about 6,000 votes, flipping the district blue for the first time since 1963. Hudson conceded on Wednesday, his 55th birthday, saying 'In the words of Ronald Reagan: we lost a skirmish, but the battle goes on.'

The Golden State Valkyries celebrated their WNBA championship with a parade on Wednesday, 4 November 2026, spanning Oakland and San Francisco. Gabby Williams, the Finals MVP, and teammate Kiah Stokes led celebrations on a double-decker bus, dancing through the streets and greeting fans. The parade began at Oakland's Jack London Square, near the team's practice facility, before crossing the bay by ferry to San Francisco's Ferry Building and concluding near Oracle Park.

Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs says he is not worried about the possibility of missing more games due to allegations made against him years before he pleaded no contest to two misdemeanor charges stemming from a May altercation with his then-girlfriend. Jacobs returned to play after spending the first six games of the season on the commissioner's exempt list. The NFL said its investigation into Jacobs remains ongoing.

Kieran Trippier has praised Wolves hero Sean Neave following a dramatic victory. Trippier said Neave 'deserves every moment' of his success.

LIV Golf announced Thursday it is winding down operations instead of launching a planned new version, a lawyer said in a bankruptcy court hearing in New Jersey. The league, which launched in 2022 with Saudi backing and spent more than $5 billion, lost its main investor funding in April. BC Partners Credit, which had pledged $300 million for 'LIV 2.0', withdrew support after failing to retain enough top players, with figures including Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton departing.

Rugby league legend Paul Langmack has died aged 61. The Canterbury-Bankstadt Bulldogs triple premiership winner suffered a suspected medical episode while using a sauna at Breakfast Point Country Club and could not be revived. He played over 300 first grade matches and four State of Origin games for NSW before coaching South Sofia and Wests Tigers.

Como produced a stunning 9-1 away victory at Lens, equalling the Champions League record for the biggest winning margin. Anastasios Douvikas scored a hat-trick for the Italian side, with Nico Paz, Lucas Da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina and Matteo Papaccioli also scoring. Como, managed by Cesc Fabregas, won three of their four matches in their maiden Champions League campaign to sit fourth in the league phase at the halfway stage, above Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. The victory was the biggest away win in Champions League history, matching the overall record set by Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas in 2007 and Real Madrid's 8-0 victory over Malmo in 2015.

Jackson Roberts, a 22-year-old Drexel University junior studying mechanical engineering, was arrested Monday after allegedly shooting another 22-year-old man in the neck in the Hartranft neighbourhood of North Philadelphia. The injured man was taken to Temple University Hospital with stable condition. Roberts faces charges including attempted murder, aggravated assault, weapon possession, simple assault and recklessly endangering another person. He is being held at Curran-Fromhold Correctional Facility on a $2 million bail, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for 20 November.

The Philadelphia Eagles are starting Joe Milton at quarterback on Sunday against the New York Giants, replacing Tanner McKee. Coach Nick Sirianni announced the change on Wednesday, two days after saying McKee was the team's choice and no positional change was coming. McKee went 0-3 as starter after Jalen Hurts was sidelined for the season with blood clots.

Lea Anderson, 31, of Commercial Road in Nottingham, has been charged with possession of a firearm to endanger life, possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence, and possession of a prohibited weapon. PC Lee Lane was shot in the foot after approaching two suspects at a bus stop in Angel Row on 18 October and remains in hospital. Two others have already been charged in connection with the shooting.

Australia's David Jones, founded in 1838 and recognised as the world's oldest continuously operating department store still trading under its original name, has entered voluntary administration. The 188-year-old retailer employs about 6,000 staff across 38 stores in Australia and New Zealand. The collapse follows years of financial losses and comes after the retailer failed to pay rent to Westfield owner Scentre Group, leading to a breakdown in negotiations. Stores will continue operating under receivers FTI Consulting while administrators McGrathNicol seek offers for recapitalisation or sale. Dozens of stores, particularly underperforming suburban locations, are expected to close, though flagship CBD stores in Sydney and Melbourne are considered more likely to survive.

Albert Pujols is interviewing for the Houston Astros' manager job following the team's 81-81 season and the departure of general manager Dana Brown and manager Joe Espada. Pujols, a three-time MVP with 703 career home runs, previously interviewed unsuccessfully for managerial positions with the Angels and Padres. He has managed the Dominican Republic at the World Baseball Classic and won the Dominican winter league championship.

The Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings, both with 6-1 records, meet on Monday night in a prime-time matchup. The Bills lead the league in scoring with 33.3 points per game, whilst the Vikings allow the fewest at 13.3. The Bills are 3½-point road favorites and are tipped to win, though the Vikings' offense ranks 29th in yards and 27th in scoring.

A Robinson R44 II helicopter crashed into Biscayne Bay near Miami on Wednesday morning while on a trip to photograph boats. One man was killed and two others were critically injured. The two survivors were taken to a nearby trauma centre in critical but stable condition. The cause of the crash remains under investigation, though South Florida has experienced heavy showers in recent days.

Victorian Labor has released a video with AI deepfakes of Liberal Leader Jess Wilson and One Nation Leader Warren Pickering, portraying them discussing charges for healthcare. Premier Ben Carroll defended the campaign, saying it demonstrates Labor is the party of Medicare. Ms Wilson denied the claims, stating her party is not proposing to Americanise the health system.

Edmund Richardson's biography 'Alexander: God, King, Man' has won the prestigious Baillie Gifford Prize for nonfiction, worth £50,000. The book is the first work of ancient history to win the award. Judge Kirsty Lang said it 'reads like a novel' and contains Richardson's translations from 12 ancient languages.

Edmund Richardson's Alexander: God, King, Man has won the £50,000 Baillie Gifford Prize for non-fiction, becoming the first ancient history title to win since the award was founded in 1999. Richardson, a 44-year-old historian at the University of Durham, beat five other shortlisted titles including Patrick Radden Keefe's London Falling. The book traces Alexander's life from 336BC, when he became king of Macedon aged 20, through his conquest of the Persian empire to his death in Babylon aged 32, drawing on more than a decade of research across four continents and translations from 12 ancient languages.

Brandon Aiyuk filed for NFL reinstatement this week with new agent Drew Rosenhaus and is scheduled to report to the 49ers' facility on Friday. Head coach Kyle Shanahan said he has 'no expectation' of Aiyuk returning, stating he has 'moved on' mentally. The receiver spent months in conflict with the organisation over a contract dispute and has an outstanding warrant for arrest in Santa Clara on a misdemeanor charge of exhibition of speed.

Former Australian treasurer Joe Hockey, who served as ambassador to the US during Donald Trump's first term, has warned Republican politicians and companies to 'lawyer up' as corruption investigations are expected to intensify following the Democrats' midterm election victory. Speaking on ABC television, Mr Hockey said more allegations would emerge over the next two years, potentially affecting whoever succeeds Mr Trump as president.

Golden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr made a joke about midterm election results on Wednesday, taking aim at a promise from President Trump. Trump had claimed he would give every American adult a $5,000 'dividend' cheque if Republicans retained control of Congress. After Democrats won the midterms, Kerr told reporters he was 'disappointed' because he had been 'looking forward to that $5,000 cheque' and had even spent it already.

Nebraska election results appear to end the conservative filibuster-proof majority in the Legislature, with seats across the state, including in the Omaha area, likely going to progressives. The 110th Legislature will convene on 6 January 2027 and will face a budget hole and property tax crisis. The 49 senators must first elect a new leader to succeed Speaker John Arch.

Australia's biggest business bank, National Australia Bank, posted full-year profit of $6.14bn, down 9.1 per cent from $6.75bn the previous year. The fall reflects increased charges for bad debts and loan provisions. Chief executive Andrew Irvine said the bank had 'strengthened provisioning to reflect a more challenging environment' of slowing growth, declining house prices and higher interest rates. Underlying profit rose 6.9 per cent and revenue grew 5.8 per cent when large items were excluded. The board declared a final dividend of 85 cents per share.

Australia's Education Minister Jason Clare has announced a nationwide curriculum overhaul involving restricted access to AI and new mandatory lessons. Generative AI such as ChatGPT will be pared back in primary schools and high school assessments, whilst compulsory civics lessons covering democracy, Jewish contribution to Australian society and financial literacy will be introduced. Year 5 NAPLAN testing will return to pen and paper.

Wolverhampton Wanderers secured a 2-1 victory at Bristol City, with Sean Neave, on loan from Newcastle, scoring twice after coming off the bench. The teenage starlet's dramatic late double completed a remarkable comeback, leaving Neave in shock at the result.

MSNBC host Symone Sanders Townsend suggested on Tuesday that Florida Republican Byron Donalds, who won a historic gubernatorial victory, was not true 'kinfolk' with other Black Americans because he would continue the policies of outgoing governor Ron DeSantis. Sanders Townsend said Donalds was making history but would maintain DeSantis' political direction. Critics argued her comments suggested that Black conservative political beliefs conflicted with racial identity.

Hana-Rawhiti Maipi-Clarke, elected in 2023 at 21 years old as New Zealand's youngest MP, performed a haka in parliament after ripping up a controversial law redefining the Treaty of Waitangi's legal status. The traditional Maori war dance garnered an estimated one billion online views. She was suspended for three weeks, described officially as an 'intimidatory act', though she believes the harsh punishment reflected the haka's viral appeal. If her Maori Party enters a left-wing government after the 7 November election, she wants such cultural acts to be embraced rather than sanctioned, proposing changes to parliamentary standing orders.

Wolves came from behind to beat Bristol City 2-1 at Ashton Gate on Wednesday, with Scott Twine's free-kick putting City ahead after half an hour. Sean Neave scored twice in the final eight minutes to secure victory for Wolves, who stretched their unbeaten run to five matches and climbed to second in the Championship. Wolves manager Cesar Peixoto said his side 'deserved the win' and were 'the better team', whilst Bristol City manager Michael Skubala described the defeat as painful after his team had done 'all the hard work'.

Wolves came from behind in an away match to secure victory and move five games without defeat. A substitute produced a late goal to clinch the win, moving the team into second place in the Championship.

Wolves came from behind to beat Bristol City in a dramatic match. A substitute player earned a rating of 9 for his impact, while a 36-year-old player also impressed.

A 97-year-old man known as Vito died at his birthday party in California shortly after dancing to the Bee Gees' 'Stayin' Alive'. The Halloween-themed party was thrown to celebrate his 97th birthday. Neighbour Eden Malinoff, 24, a baker, made him a red wine chocolate cake and shared footage of the event on TikTok.

Frankie Taber, 23, a marketing manager from Eltham, was evicted from the ITV reality show Big Brother on 4 November in a shock double backdoor eviction, just one day before the final. He and Omar El Mayer were both sent home within a minute of each other during a 1920s-themed task. Taber had never been put up for eviction before and had been in the house since the series began on 13 September. Fellow housemate Yasmin was left in tears at not being able to say goodbye to him.

Australian winger Max Jorgensen hopes to replicate a last-gasp victory at Twickenham when Australia face England in Sunday's Nations Championship clash. Two years ago, Jorgensen scored the winning try in the 84th minute after receiving a pass from Len Ikitau, turning a defeat into a 42-37 victory at England's fortress. The 22-year-old has already made several significant contributions in his career, including tries against the Lions and the Springboks. Jorgensen said the atmosphere at Twickenham with 85,000 spectators is daunting but knowing Australia can win there is encouraging. He hopes this time the team can finish the game earlier rather than leaving it so late.

Two police officers were attacked during a disturbance involving a large group of men on Sauchiehall Street in Glasgow's city centre around 9.15pm on Wednesday, November 4. Bottles were thrown and one officer was knocked to the ground, though neither required medical treatment. The Herald understands the incident involved Besiktas supporters, in the city for a UEFA Europa League fixture against Celtic. Police have locked down areas including Douglas Street and investigations are ongoing.

Vice-President JD Vance published a 600-word statement blaming the Iran war for Republican defeat in the midterm election, marking a striking public disagreement with President Donald Trump on foreign policy. Both outlets note this represents an unusually sharp break between a sitting vice-president and president. The BBC reports that Vance has privately opposed the war despite publicly supporting it since the US and Israel attacked Tehran in February.

Three new members have been elected to the North Platte school board in Nebraska. Stuart Simpson won Ward 1 with 53 per cent of the vote, defeating Shreya Agrawal. In Ward 2, Hyde won with 51 per cent against Harlan Anderson's 49 per cent. Kyle Nichols won Ward 3 with 59 per cent, defeating incumbent Emily Garrick.

Édouard Philippe, the centre-right former French Prime Minister, has attacked Britain's immigration policies for attracting migrants to attempt the Channel crossing. He described the situation as 'incoherent' and 'absurd', saying French police work to stop migrants leaving France while Labour's policies encourage them towards Britain. Philippe vowed that if elected president in 2027, he would tear up the Touquet treaty allowing British police to operate in French territory and demand Britain fund the entire cost of Channel policing operations, potentially doubling the current £662million three-year payment.

Wisconsin's governor-elect David Crowley, a Democrat, said Wednesday that his focus upon taking office will be lowering the cost of living. Democrats now control the governorship, Assembly and state Senate—the first trifecta in 16 years. Crowley said he will speak with legislators about his agenda as he establishes his transition team.

The pound has hit its highest level against a basket of 18 major currencies since the Brexit referendum over a decade ago, reaching 86.4 on the Bank of England's sterling effective exchange rate index on Wednesday. The pound has also gained notably against individual currencies, rising over 5.7 per cent against the euro in the past year and 3.5 per cent against the dollar. The strength reflects expectations of an interest rate rise by the Bank of England on Thursday, the first in over three years, and a weakening of the dollar following the US midterm elections.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson was placed in concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms Monday night. He took a helmet-to-helmet hit during the first quarter of Sunday's 27–6 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, was cleared at the time, and completed 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards. If Watson is not cleared before Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, Shedeur Sanders would start.

An operational incident at Caledonian Road & Barnsbury on London's Mildmay line caused severe disruption expected until 10.30pm, with trains between Stratford and Clapham Junction/Richmond cancelled, delayed or revised. Separately, an emergency incident near Mauldeth Road station between Manchester Airport and Manchester Piccadilly on Wednesday evening caused disruption expected until 12.45am on Thursday. TransPennine Express, which operates the Manchester service, said emergency services were dealing with an incident, though its nature remained unclear.

Zelensky arrived in Madrid on Wednesday for a series of meetings during the Ibero-American Summit, where he met Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, King Felipe VI, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and other Latin American leaders. He appealed to Spain and Latin American countries for urgent help repairing Ukraine's damaged energy infrastructure, specifically asking Brazil, Mexico, Argentina and Colombia for transformers, Chile for power cables and Spain for electrical equipment and generators. Zelensky said Ukraine needed supplies compatible with its electricity grid and urged governments to establish direct contacts with manufacturers to accelerate deliveries.

Miami's star wide receiver Malachi Toney suffered a high ankle sprain during Wednesday practice and will undergo surgery, creating significant uncertainty for Saturday's matchup against Notre Dame. The Hurricanes said Toney would undergo 'TightRope' surgery, with hopes of his return in four to six weeks. Toney has been central to Miami's offence, accounting for 35 per cent of the team's receptions, 39 per cent of receiving yards and 46 per cent of touchdown catches this season.

Bob Dylan, 85, met Pope Leo at the Apostolic Palace in Rome on Wednesday during the singer-songwriter's Rough and Rowdy Ways tour. The encounter was brief, with Leo presenting Dylan a rosary and Dylan giving the Pope a copy of his autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One. Leo had previously quoted Dylan's unreleased 1963 anti-nuclear song 'Go Away You Bomb' in his 2026 book Disarmed and Disarming: Peace Is a Gift. Both men are American and from the Midwest. Dylan performed at the Palazzo dello Sport in Rome on Thursday. This was Dylan's second meeting with a pope; he performed for Pope John Paul II in 1997.

A planned Philadelphia bicycle protest on 8 November will target Jewish-owned businesses near Rittenhouse Square, with organisers describing them as 'Zionist establishments'. Jewish organizations have condemned the event as antisemitic, particularly because it is scheduled on the eve of the 88th anniversary of Kristallnacht, the 1938 Nazi attacks on Jewish communities in Germany and Austria. Business owners targeted include Mac Mart, Dizengoff and Schlesinger's.

Four members of pop royalty are teaming up for a night celebrating Abba in Nottingham.

Meta has acquired Conductor, an AI coding startup founded in 2024 that allows software engineers to deploy multiple agents into separate workspaces to work on different aspects of a project simultaneously. Conductor's founder and CEO Charlie Holtz announced the deal on Wednesday, saying the company would have 'something new' for customers by 'early next year'. Meta confirmed the acquisition but provided no further details.

LIV Golf, the Saudi-backed breakaway golf league, is shutting down after BC Partners pulled a $300m rescue package on Wednesday. The investment firm had pledged the funds to back a relaunch known as LIV 2.0, but withdrew after the league failed to secure enough player commitments by its deadline. LIV's announcement came during a New Jersey bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, where its lawyer said the company would pursue an orderly wind-down instead of restructuring. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund had withdrawn backing in April after investing over $5bn since the league's 2022 launch. High-profile departures included Jon Rahm, Sergio Garcia, Tyrrell Hatton and others who rejected LIV 2.0's terms.

3M has agreed to pay up to $7.35 billion to settle lawsuits from people who say they were sickened by groundwater contamination from per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) used in firefighting foam and other products. The St. Paul, Minnesota-based company will distribute the money over nine years to as many as 120,000 people. 3M did not admit liability under the settlement.

Bob Dylan met Pope Leo in a private audience at the Vatican on Wednesday. The two, who are both from the US Midwest, met in the pope's office at the Apostolic Palace. Vatican official Reverend Antonio Spadaro arranged the meeting. The pope presented Dylan with a rosary, and Dylan gave the pope a copy of his autobiography, Chronicles: Volume One.

Oil prices fell sharply following the midterm elections, with crude dropping below $90 a barrel as analysts believe the results increase pressure for a diplomatic settlement of the Iran conflict. Vice President JD Vance attributed Republican losses to the war. Energy experts predict fuel prices will continue to decline, with gasoline potentially dropping below $4 a gallon within days.

Nino Mangione, a Republican and first cousin of Luigi Mangione, narrowly won a Baltimore County Council election in District 5 on Tuesday night. Nino secured 48.72 per cent of the vote against Democrat Shawn McIntosh's 45.16 per cent. His campaign centred on tackling violent crime in Baltimore County, promising maximum penalties for repeat offenders. Luigi Mangione pleaded guilty in August to shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in December 2024.

Hubert Aiwanger, 55, Bavaria's deputy premier, economy minister and leader of the Free Voters party, was found dead in a hotel room in Berlin-Mitte on Wednesday evening. He had been in Berlin to attend the opening of a party office but cancelled his appearance after feeling unwell. Police and prosecutors launched an investigation to determine the cause of death and rule out foul play. A spokesperson for Berlin's public prosecutor's office said there was 'no initial suspicion of a crime' but 'nothing can be ruled out'. Bavarian premier Markus Söder described the death as an 'absolute tragedy'. Aiwanger had led the Free Voters in Bavaria since 2006 and nationally since 2010, and served as deputy premier and economy minister since 2018.

Kylie Arellano, now 17, was found alive in Oregon nearly 18 months after vanishing from Garden City, Utah on 29 May 2025 when she was 15. Adam Hunter Harmel, 39, has been charged with her captivity. According to federal court documents, Harmel allegedly confined her to his basement, beat her repeatedly, forced her to remove her braces with pliers to prevent identification, and sexually assaulted her repeatedly. He also allegedly kept a knife under his pillow and forced her to sleep against the wall to prevent escape.

A group of Irish legislators has recommended that Ireland's Government formally oppose proposals in a UK Troubles Bill requiring the Attorney General for England and Wales to give consent for prosecutions related to the conflict.

NSW Police charged a 73-year-old Sydney man with multiple online child sexual offences after a search warrant on his Chatswood West home on Wednesday. Child sex crimes detectives and riot squad members executed the raid at 7:35am, seizing electronic devices. He was charged with making, possessing, accessing and distributing child abuse material, and with using a carriage service to menace, harass or offend and soliciting child abuse material. He remains in custody and is due to appear in Hornsby Local Court on Thursday.

A signalling fault has caused train disruption between two Birmingham stations. Passengers are being offered alternative travel on local buses, which are accepting train tickets.

Chinese automaker Zeekr is reportedly developing an off-road electric SUV to rival the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, according to Future Car Daily via Car News China. The vehicle is in the feasibility assessment stage and could be unveiled as soon as 2028 or 2029. It would feature a monocoque architecture and electric motors on each wheel for torque distribution.

The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to trade quarterback Jacoby Brissett to the Baltimore Ravens, with the deal expected to be completed by the weekend. Brissett started eight games for Arizona this season before being demoted to third string after Gardner Minshew led the Cardinals to a comeback victory in Dallas. The Ravens are seeking quarterback depth after losing starter Lamar Jackson to a thumb injury and backup Tyler Huntley to a toe injury.

Serbian authorities detained nine active police officers and one former officer on Wednesday for allegedly using excessive force against detainees during anti-corruption protests in Belgrade last year. The interior ministry said the suspects tortured and intimidated people held in a government compound garage in August 2025, using force and threats to inflict pain and obtain information. The arrests mark the first major action over violence during protests that swept Serbia after a railway station collapse killed 16 people in November 2024, ultimately leading to the October defeat of the long-ruling Serbian Progressive Party.

Governor Patrick Morrisey announced a $3.2 million water filtration initiative for McDowell and Mingo counties in southern West Virginia. The scheme will deliver clean drinking water to around 5,000 homes relying on private wells and springs. Of the funding, $1.2 million from a federal Rural Health Transformation Program will support 1,000 households with the most serious water problems, while $2 million will help an additional 4,000 homes.

Malachi Toney, the star wide receiver for top-ranked Miami and a Heisman Trophy candidate, has been scheduled for surgery to address a high ankle sprain suffered in practice and will be sidelined for multiple weeks. The injury comes ahead of Miami's showdown game against No. 4 Notre Dame on Saturday. Recovery timelines vary widely, but Toney could potentially return later in the season.

Web host DreamHost has confirmed that hackers exploited a vulnerability in its file manager to steal customer credentials and access emails during an attack that began in August. The breach was discovered last Thursday and caused a multi-day outage. DreamHost said fewer than 10 per cent of its approximately 400,000 paying customers were affected.

The Philadelphia Eagles have benched quarterback Tanner McKee in favour of Joe Milton. The move is not a signal the team is deliberately losing, but a desperate attempt to improve their struggling offence marginally. Milton's athleticism and ability to improvise with his legs may help open up the run game and relieve pressure on the defence.

World leaders who have sparred with Donald Trump greeted the Republican Party's midterm election losses with relief, hoping for a less combative US foreign policy. However, their optimism was tempered by uncertainty over whether the results would shift American positions on Iran, tariffs, Ukraine and support for European allies. Progressive politicians framed the outcome as part of a global trend against right-wing populism.

A fire broke out on Canford Heath nature reserve near Poole at about 7:39pm on Wednesday. The blaze spread rapidly across approximately 100 square metres of heathland due to high winds. At the height of the incident, 45 firefighters from across Dorset and Hampshire tackled the flames using 14 firefighting appliances. Residents were advised to keep doors and windows closed due to a significant amount of smoke. The incident was scaled back at around 1am, with three appliances remaining on scene and a search and rescue drone team attending to assist.

Gilbert police have released body camera video of a fatal shooting in September. Officers responded after Bronson's mother called 911 to report her son was armed with a knife and had asked her to contact police. When an officer arrived, Bronson ran toward the patrol vehicle. After repeated commands to stop, the officer fired six rounds, striking Bronson five times. He was taken to hospital but died from his injuries. Investigators recovered a 7-inch knife at the scene. An investigation into whether the shooting complied with department policy and state law remains ongoing.

Real Madrid produced another comeback victory in the Champions League, beating AEK Athens 3-2 with Federico Valverde scoring in the second minute of stoppage time. Liverpool's unbeaten record in the competition ended with a 3-2 defeat at Fenerbahce, as they conceded twice after taking the lead.

The Baltimore Ravens are acquiring veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals, according to a person with knowledge of the trade. The Ravens need a replacement after losing starter Lamar Jackson to a thumb injury requiring surgery and backup Tyler Huntley to a toe injury. Brissett started eight games for Arizona this season before being demoted to third-string after Gardner Minshew led a comeback victory at Dallas.

Fred Sirieix's charity The Right Course has opened a training restaurant inside a Staffordshire women's prison. The venture aims to provide culinary training for inmates.

Apple is cutting the amount employees can spend on artificial intelligence tools. In October, the company reduced daily AI spending for engineers from $300 to $200, with further cuts planned that could drop allowances to as low as $100 for some engineers and $25 for staff outside engineering. The move is attributed to cost control efforts by new CEO John Ternus.

Essex Bonfire Night celebrations will take place in largely dry and chilly conditions, according to the Met Office. Temperatures will hover around 9°C, feeling closer to 7°C or 8°C in coastal areas, with winds gusting up to 17mph before easing later in the evening. Rain is unlikely, with less than a 10 per cent chance in most areas after 5pm. Multiple events are running across the county, from Thurrock to Colchester, featuring fireworks, bonfires, funfairs and family entertainment.

A British healthcare worker in the Democratic Republic of Congo has tested positive for Ebola and is being evacuated to the UK for medical treatment. The UK government confirmed the case and said established procedures for handling such cases have been activated. The risk to the UK public remains low, according to officials.

The Baltimore Ravens are acquiring quarterback Jacoby Brissett from the Arizona Cardinals to address a quarterback crisis caused by injuries to starters Lamar Jackson and Tyler Huntley. Jackson suffered a thumb injury requiring surgery and is out indefinitely, while Huntley is expected to miss the rest of the season with a turf-toe injury. Undrafted rookie Joe Fagnano will start for Baltimore against Jacksonville on Thursday night, with Brissett expected to debut the following week against the Chargers.

Angela Gonzales-Torres, a Democratic socialist, has defeated Rep. Jimmy Gomez in California's 34th Congressional District House race, winning 58.7 per cent of the vote to his 41.3 per cent with 73 per cent of ballots counted. The race was reshaped by a House Ethics Committee investigation into whether Gomez engaged in sexual misconduct, including inappropriate contact with a House staffer. Gomez, who served nearly a decade in the seat, has acknowledged 'personal mistakes' outside his marriage but maintained any relationship was consensual and that he broke no House rules.

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz are on trial in Brooklyn federal court on fraud conspiracy charges. A prosecutor told jurors the pitchers 'sold their pitches' to enable gamblers to profit at least $460,000 by betting on whether specific pitches would be balls or strikes. Both men have pleaded not guilty.

Cleveland Guardians pitchers Emmanuel Clase and Luis Ortiz faced opening statements at a federal fraud trial in Brooklyn on Wednesday. Prosecutors allege that Clase befriended a Dominican Republic gambler in early 2023 and agreed to reveal what pitches he would throw in certain games, enabling bettors to profit at least $460,000 on platforms wagering on ball-or-strike outcomes. Clase later recruited Ortiz into the scheme in 2025. Both have pleaded not guilty. Defence lawyers argued that a gambler falsely claimed Clase was providing information and attempted to sell it to other bettors.

Real Madrid maintained their perfect Champions League record with a 3-2 comeback victory at AEK Athens on Wednesday, with Federico Valverde scoring in the 92nd minute. Madrid twice came from behind, with Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé equalising after Aboubakary Koïta and Stavros Pilios had put the hosts ahead.

Buckinghamshire's local plan for 91,000 new homes by 2045 is to be considered by the council's cabinet on Tuesday, 10 November, with a view to sending it for independent planning examination. The plan will guide development across the county, including where housing and employment sites should be located. A formal public consultation attracted around 12,600 representations, with concerns raised about whether the housing target can be delivered, whether the proposed focus on the north of the county is appropriate, and whether infrastructure including roads, schools, healthcare and water services can cope.

Tony Butala, co-founder of The Lettermen, died on Sunday, aged 87. The band's media coordinator confirmed his death to The Associated Press. Butala co-founded the Grammy-nominated group in the late 1950s with Jim Pike and Bob Engemann, and their 1961 version of 'The Way You Look Tonight' became their first hit and earned a Grammy nomination.

Police have arrested three teenagers accused of breaking into the now-closed Echo Canyon School near Phoenix in early October and causing $281,000 in damage through theft and destruction of computer equipment and other property. Detectives linked the crimes to the 'urban exploring' social media trend. A fourth suspect remains at large.

Police have cordoned off a wooded area at the end of Welling Way near Oxleas Wood in south east London. Forensic teams, sniffer dogs and officers have been spotted at the scene by local residents. The Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service have been approached for statements.

California voters rejected Proposition 40, a one-time 5% tax on the assets of billionaires, despite backing from the Democratic Socialists of America and Senator Bernie Sanders. Governor Gavin Newsom opposed the measure. With 56% voting no and 44% voting yes, the tax failed to win the majority required for approval.

Wisconsin voters approved two constitutional amendments on Tuesday. Question 1, which restricts the governor's use of partial vetoes to create or raise taxes and fees, passed with approximately 51 per cent support. Question 3, which bans state agencies from granting preferential treatment or discriminating based on race, sex, ethnicity or national origin, passed with 56 per cent support. Question 2, stemming from COVID-era public health restrictions and protecting places of worship from closure during emergencies, was rejected with 52 per cent voting against it.

Brighton & Hove City Council reports 2,358 households are in temporary housing as of early October, exceeding the previous five-year high of 2,292 in June. The council forecasts this could reach 2,860 households by 2029–30. Almost 3,600 people are estimated to be homeless in the city, including 1,400 children. The council is developing a strategy to reduce spending on temporary accommodation and plans to add 500 temporary homes to its own stock over three years.

Police arrested more than two dozen supporters of Palestine Action outside the UK Supreme Court on Wednesday as justices heard the group's challenge to its designation as a terrorist organisation. The government banned Palestine Action under anti-terrorism laws after activists broke into a Royal Air Force base in June 2025 to protest British military support for Israel's offensive in Gaza. The ban, which has led to over 3,000 arrests of supporters in the past year, places the group in the same legal category as al-Qaida and Hamas, making membership punishable by up to 14 years in prison.

A police helicopter's flight path over Ancells Farm in Fleet, Hampshire, on Monday night created a shape resembling male genitalia when viewed on aircraft tracking websites. Gordon Bird, 53, said the aircraft circled over the residential estate for 15 to 20 minutes, waking his two-year-old daughter, and the shape took about half an hour to draw. The National Police Air Service insisted the flight was not deliberate, stating that helicopters do not follow predetermined routes and that the aircraft was assisting Thames Valley Police in searching for a vehicle that had failed to stop.

Caitlin Clark, guard for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA, has signed a multi-year brand partnership with Dick's Sporting Goods and Foot Locker. Dick's announced Clark as its first-ever brand partner. The partnership will promote Clark's Nike signature footwear and apparel lines globally through national and global campaigns, retail and digital experiences, and community programming. Clark said the partnership represents 'a really special full-circle moment', noting both brands have strong connections with sports and basketball culture. Ed Stack, executive chairman of Dick's, said the company was excited to partner with an athlete whose influence extends across multiple sports.

Green Bay Packers quarterback Jordan Love and his wife Ronika Stone dressed as blind referees for Halloween, complete with sunglasses and canes, to mock NFL officiating. The costume appears to reference the Packers' troubles with referees this season, particularly a controversial loss to the Lions in Week 7. Love has not received a single roughing the passer call in his favour despite being the most hit quarterback in the league through Week 8.

Former Dallas Cowboys star Dez Bryant has retained high-powered attorney Levi McCathern to defend him against a misdemeanor assault by contact charge stemming from a 25 October incident in Southlake, Texas. Bryant knocked a phone from 19-year-old Noah Reyes's hand during a dispute outside a restaurant. Bryant claims Reyes and companions drove recklessly around him, then Reyes threatened to shoot him; McCathern says multiple witnesses support this account. Reyes told the New York Post Bryant was the aggressor. Bryant is due in court for a hearing on 2 December.

A drone attack damaged an Ozon warehouse in Adygeysk, southern Russia, on Wednesday, with footage showing flames and thick smoke rising from the facility. Euronews reports that Ukraine has been conducting a campaign targeting logistics infrastructure across Russia, with other sites hit including facilities belonging to Ozon and its competitor Wildberries. Kyiv has alleged that Wildberries supplied components to the Russian military.

An appeals court has unanimously ruled that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration can proceed with implementing a tax on high-end second homes, overturning a lower court order to restart the rollout. The court found that homeowners who sued lacked legal standing to bring the case. Other legal challenges to the tax remain pending.

An under-20 football match between Uberlandia and Mamoré in the Minas Gerais state championship semifinal in Brazil descended into chaos, with referee Fernando Patrick Drosghic Modesto issuing a world record 53 red cards. The sendings-off included 43 players, eight coaching staff members and two board members from Uberlandia. The brawl began in the second half after Mamoré player Davi taunted the opposition bench during celebrations when his side went 3-1 up, according to Brazilian media reports. The match was paused for approximately 40 minutes before being abandoned. The previous Guinness World Record was 36 red cards, set in an Argentine fifth-division match in 2011. Uberlandia subsequently withdrew from the competition in a gesture of fair play, allowing Mamoré to progress to the final.

Aston Villa have announced they are in advanced talks with manager Unai Emery over a new contract with a 'clear commitment beyond 2029'. The club released a statement on Wednesday detailing a meeting between key figures including co-owner Nassef Sawiris, Emery, Roberto Olabe and Damián Vidagany to plan the club's future. The announcement comes amid speculation linking Emery with other clubs.

The Philadelphia Eagles have benched quarterback Tanner McKee in favour of Joe Milton III for their upcoming game against the Giants on Sunday. The move comes two days after head coach Nick Sirianni expressed confidence in McKee, saying 'Tanner's our guy. We're not making any changes there.' McKee started the Eagles' last three games after Jalen Hurts was placed on injured reserve with blood clots, and the team lost all three matches.

A man was punched and kicked during an assault at a store on Market Street in Kingswinford at around 9.50am on 22 October. West Midlands Police have released an image of a man they want to speak to about the incident. The man in the image is wearing black trousers and a black t-shirt, has dark facial hair and white trainers. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting reference 20/444766/26.

Wolves striker Armstrong has reached a 500-game career milestone. He has described the achievement as 'incredible'.

Abdul El-Sayed has been elected to the US Senate for Michigan, becoming the nation's first Muslim senator. El-Sayed defeated Republican Mike Rogers in the closely watched race, which saw months of attacks on his Muslim identity. President Donald Trump had called him a 'jihadist' and 'on the side of the terrorists', while some Republicans in Congress formed a Sharia-Free America Caucus. El-Sayed said Michigan voters had rejected 'a hateful, spiteful campaign' that focused on his name and face rather than issues.

A 17-year-old accused of killing 18-year-old Yoan Del Risco Falcon at a party in Arlington, Texas has been arrested in Aberdeen, South Dakota. The shooting occurred on 25 October after an argument between the suspect and Del Risco Falcon escalated in a parking lot. The suspect was taken into custody on 2 November after leaving the state; U.S. Marshals located him in Aberdeen. He is awaiting extradition to Tarrant County.

Australian cruiserweight champion Jai Opetaia will move up to heavyweight to fight former world heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder on 11 December at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, on the undercard of the Tyson Fury–Anthony Joshua fight. The unbeaten Gold Coast-based fighter, with a record of 31 wins, will face the 41-year-old American veteran, who is considered one of boxing's biggest hitters. Opetaia's promoter Dana White called it 'a very dangerous fight' given Opetaia's standing in his own division, but said the fighter was willing to take the challenge.

The Philadelphia Eagles are benching quarterback Tanner McKee and starting Joe Milton against the New York Giants on Sunday. Coach Nick Sirianni had said two days earlier that McKee was 'our guy' and no change was coming. Milton, 26, was signed from the Dallas Cowboys' practice squad 18 days ago.

Wolverhampton Wanderers have suffered a fresh setback as summer signing Jordan James has picked up an injury and faces a spell on the sidelines.

Australia's Mapping Social Cohesion Survey, released on Thursday by the Scanlon Foundation Research Institute and based on 10,000 participants, found that 32 per cent of Australians now think their lives will worsen, more than double the 14 per cent during the pandemic. Half of adults are now pessimistic about the country's future, compared with 24 per cent during lockdowns. Two-thirds say too many immigrants are not adopting Australian values. James O'Donnell, a researcher at the Australian National University, said overseas political trends were infiltrating Australian discourse, including distrust in elections and the court system.

Nebraska's senior night volleyball match against Iowa on Saturday, 14 November, is set for 6 p.m. at the John Cook Arena at the Bob Devaney Sports Center in Lincoln. The Huskers will honour their four seniors—Laney Choboy, Andi Jackson, Harper Murray and Bergen Reilly—following the match. Nebraska is currently 23-0 overall and 12-0 in the Big Ten Conference.

Dr Vanessa Pirotta, a 38-year-old marine scientist at Macquarie University, has been announced as NSW Australian of the Year. She was recognised for her work studying whales using drones to collect samples and for communicating scientific research to the public through social media, including a post about a humpback whale birth that garnered over one million views. She founded Wild Sydney Harbour, a citizen science project documenting marine life diversity in Sydney Harbour and monitoring marine populations alongside traditional custodians in Botany Bay.

Old Hamptonians Cricket Club in south-west London has been relegated from Division One of the Surrey Championship after failing to meet England and Wales Cricket Board regulations requiring tier-one clubs to run girls' and junior cricket programmes. The club, linked to all-boys Hampton School, mounted two appeals against the demotion but both were rejected. The Telegraph reports that under current rules, the club cannot be promoted out of Division Two even if it wins the league.

Brighton defeated Getafe 1-0 in the Uefa Conference League at the Estadio Coliseum in Madrid on Thursday. Manager Fabian Hurzeler described the performance as 'quite lazy' after the match.

A roundup of criminals recently sentenced to prison at courts in Nottinghamshire has been published. The cases represent convictions across the county's judicial system.

Louisiana congressman Steve Scalise announced Wednesday that he intends to run for House Minority Leader in the new Congress being sworn in next January. Scalise made the decision after Speaker Mike Johnson said he would not pursue the minority leadership position following the GOP's losses in Tuesday's midterm elections. Scalise is challenging Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan, who is preferred by the hard right including some members of the Freedom Caucus.

Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold is out for Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals with a quad injury, sustained late in Monday's 34-17 loss to the Bears. Drew Lock will start in his place. Darnold also suffered a cracked rib early in the Bears game but is week-to-week and will not be placed on injured reserve, leaving open the possibility he could return for Week 10 against the Raiders.

Scott Parker began his West Ham tenure with a dramatic comeback at Cardiff. After falling 3-0 behind by half-time, with Cardiff's Jack Moylan scoring a hat-trick, West Ham rallied in the second half. Goals from Divine Mukasa, Arne Engels and Max Kilman secured a 3-3 draw. Parker was appointed on Wednesday, 24 hours after Nuno Espírito Santo's departure, and made triple half-time changes to spark the response. Captain Jarrod Bowen inspired the comeback. West Ham remain in the playoff places in eighth, while Cardiff extend their unbeaten home league run to ten games.

Heart of Midlothian winger Calvin Miller will be sidelined for two months after suffering a meniscus injury in Sunday's Premier Sports Cup semi-final defeat by Hibernian. The injury requires surgery. Midfielder Thomas Magnusson will also miss the upcoming Conference League match against Thun after sustaining concussion at Hampden Park. The injuries add to Hearts' existing problems, leaving head coach Wouter Vrancken with only 19 players for the European fixture, compared to the normal maximum squad size of 25.

Marina Cameron, 56, a medical editor from Farnham in Surrey, was reported missing on 7 October. Her body was discovered on 8 October near cliffs at Combe Martin in North Devon following police searches. An inquest opened on 4 November recorded the medical cause of death as multiple injuries, with a full hearing to follow at a later date.

Daniel Doe, 34, from Silver End in Essex, has pleaded guilty to possessing crack cocaine and heroin with intent to supply. He was arrested after police spotted him acting suspiciously in Braintree on 30 October and found drugs in his car.

Donald Trump's Republican party suffered significant losses in the midterm elections, reducing his power to dictate policy at home. However, as president and commander-in-chief, he retains broad powers over America's military. Analysts suggest he may pursue foreign policy actions to demonstrate strength and counteract the electoral defeat. The BBC's international editor notes Trump's determination not to be seen as a loser and his history of using military deployments to bolster his image.

Police are increasingly concerned for a missing man named Grant from South Yorkshire. Officers are appealing for information about his whereabouts and asking anyone who has seen him to call 999.

Magistrates courts in Nottinghamshire have heard cases recently in the Mansfield, Ashfield and Bassetlaw areas.

West Yorkshire Police caught five drivers speeding during enforcement operations on Cottingley Moor Road and Manywells Brow in Cullingworth on 23 October. Three drivers on Cottingley Moor Road were recorded at 37mph, 38mph and 44mph, with one driver also issued a traffic offence for not having a valid MOT. Two drivers on Manywells Brow reached 38mph and 40mph. Police said further enforcement operations are planned for the area.

Wolverhampton Wanderers are playing Bristol City at Ashton Gate in the Championship, looking to continue their unbeaten streak.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has expressed confidence he will be re-elected as Senate majority leader when Democrats choose their leadership later this year. At least five or seven newly elected Democratic senators have said they will not support him, citing a desire for new and younger leadership. Schumer, who has led Senate Democrats since 2017, said he needs only a simple majority of the Democratic caucus to retain his position, and no other candidate has emerged to challenge him.

Nothing, the smartphone startup, is launching its first AI-native product in December, CEO Carl Pei announced. The device will have no screen and cannot function as an app, Pei said, describing it as a productivity tool. Pei suggested the industry is searching for an 'iPhone moment' for AI but that this will not come from a single blockbuster device; instead, he argues AI adoption will follow decades of work on specific productivity tools, as happened with mobile phones.

Two people died in a shooting at Citibank's office complex in Brandon, near Tampa, on Wednesday afternoon. The gunman, identified as Jacob Pearson, 35, crashed his car into the campus before opening fire. He shot and killed LeAnne Selman, 41, a Citibank employee. Pearson was then fatally shot by an armed Citibank security guard during a confrontation. Sheriff Chad Chronister said the shooting was a 'targeted incident' motivated by a legal dispute; Pearson had been summoned to court over a $2,500 debt and had made threats to an attorney's office contracted by Citibank hours before the attack.

A Leicestershire Police officer would have been dismissed for gross misconduct after being found to have persistently tried to contact sex workers, a panel has ruled. The officer, who has resigned and remains anonymous, claimed they had lent their phone to someone they did not know on a night out, explaining why calls were made to sex workers. The panel found this account implausible and untrue.

Apple will begin checking iCloud items accessible via public links for 'harmful content' in iOS 27.3 and related updates launching in December. The check applies only to files and images shared with the 'Anyone with the Link' option in iCloud Photos and iCloud Drive. Apple does not define what constitutes 'harmful content', though it reserves the right to move, refuse, modify, remove or delete such content, and may block accounts or involve law enforcement if necessary. Content shared this way will no longer be end-to-end encrypted.

A key meeting on County Durham police's response to child protection failings was postponed for the second time after insufficient panel members attended. None of the three Darlington councillors represented on the panel showed up, leaving only eight of nine required members. Police and Crime Panel chairman Robert Potts warned that without these meetings, 'we can't ensure the safety of the children' in the area.

Taylor Wimpey is launching a pre-application public consultation for 210 new homes on land next to the A1085 Coast Road in Marske. The homes would range from two to five bedrooms, with 15% affordable units. Marske councillor Dr Tristan Learoyd opposes the plan, calling it profit-driven and claiming the company has no interest in addressing the genuine housing crisis. Taylor Wimpey says the development is sustainable and meets local need, with improved pedestrian and cycle routes planned.

A life raft from the FV Kilda, which sank off the Isle of Lewis on 13 October, has washed ashore at West Burrafirth in Shetland. Two crew members, Norman Murray, 40, and Murdo Morrison, 23, remain missing; the body of crewmate Douglas Craigie, 49, was recovered the day after the sinking. The vessel itself has not been recovered.

North Yorkshire Police have received reports of anti-social behaviour in and around Thirsk Market Place and have identified a number of young people believed to be involved. Officers are currently speaking with them about their actions. Police warned that those involved could face serious consequences, including being stopped by officers, having parents or guardians contacted, receiving formal warnings, or facing arrest and prosecution if offences have been committed. A criminal record could affect future employment, education, travel, and career opportunities.

A former West Brom striker has confirmed his retirement after scoring 22 goals in an impressive Championship campaign. No further details have been reported.

Paraguay's President Santiago Peña resigned on Thursday following the collapse of Ueno Bank, which froze the accounts of approximately three million customers, including pensioners. The lower house of congress voted unanimously to impeach him minutes after his resignation. Lawmakers accused Peña, who sold his shares in the company controlling the bank in April 2025, of conflicts of interest, misuse of pension funds and institutional cover-ups. The central bank intervened in Ueno on Tuesday after finding it had breached minimum solvency requirements. Vice President Pedro Alliana is set to take office as his replacement.

Scottish soft drinks maker AG Barr has recalled batches of Rubicon Spring Yuzu & Pink Grapefruit Sparkling Water after discovering undeclared sulphites on the label, posing a health risk to people with sulphite sensitivity or allergy. Customers have been advised not to drink affected 1-litre cartons and to return them to retailers for a full refund. The Food Standards Agency has warned consumers, and AG Barr has displayed point-of-sale notices in shops.

A motorcyclist was airlifted to hospital with serious injuries after a crash with a car on the B1113 near Wymondham on Wednesday evening. The collision occurred at the junction with Main Road at about 5.10pm. The rider was flown to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital with injuries believed serious but not life-threatening.

Queen's Hall Arts and Triple Treat Theatre have announced a new reimagining of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, running in Hexham from December 5 to January 2. The cast features Elijah Young, known for the BBC sitcom Smoggie Queens, County Durham actor and singer Jude Nelson, and Zoe Lambert, who previously performed in Queen's Hall's Red Riding Hood. Bob Nicholson, co-director and co-writer of the production, also stars.

El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele has deployed 2,000 troops to Haiti following the disappearance of four Salvadoran aviation technicians on 18 October near Port-au-Prince. Haitian police have found the charred remains of the vehicle used by the men but say they have found no sign of the technicians themselves. Bukele has warned Haiti's gang leaders that El Salvador can 'finish' them as it did gangs at home.

A coalition of more than 250 chief executives and leaders is launching a resource to show employers how to redesign jobs to accommodate shared caregiving responsibilities. Champions of Change Coalition founder Elizabeth Broderick says gender equality requires men to take on more caring duties, but workplaces are not currently set up for this. On average, women do about nine hours more unpaid care work weekly than men, and remain under-represented in leadership and retirement savings.

Artificial intelligence is enabling scammers to fool victims faster and more convincingly, according to an international threat report released by cybersecurity company Elastic. The technology allows attackers to produce professional-level phishing tools and spoof websites with ease, whilst AI agents can execute thousands of hacking actions with limited intervention. Australian government agencies are identified as particularly at risk, with recent breaches affecting Medicare statistics, a NSW Parks and Wildlife website and a NSW Health server.

The Hindu Council of Australia and three of its leaders, representing more than 650,000 Australians, have been taken to Federal Court by the Alliance Against Islamophobia, accused of spreading racial hatred through online posts and speeches from September 2024 onwards. The allegations include sharing far-right material quoting US activist Charlie Kirk and British figure Tommy Robinson, with posts alleged to offend and discriminate against Muslims. The council's director Ash Agarwal said they strongly disagree with the characterisation and intend to defend themselves.

The Met Office has identified signs of Sudden Stratospheric Warming, an unusually early disturbance to the Arctic polar vortex that could bring colder weather and frost to the UK from as soon as next week. If confirmed, it would be the earliest major event of its kind ever recorded in the satellite observation era. Forecasters estimate a 70% chance of colder weather developing. The disturbance is linked to El Niño conditions in the tropical Pacific, which influence atmospheric waves that travel upward and disturb the polar vortex.

Australia's government has proposed a 30 per cent minimum tax on trusts to address what Labor says is large-scale use of discretionary trusts to avoid tax. The Council of Small Business Organisations Australia is calling for firms with annual turnover below $10 million to be grandfathered from the changes, warning owners could face thousands of dollars in restructuring costs.

Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell suffered a neck injury during Sunday's game against the Minnesota Vikings. In a statement, Campbell said he has full movement in his lower body and is making progress with upper body movement. He said he remains optimistic about his recovery.

Energy experts say electric heaters can be more economical than central heating for households trying to reduce energy bills this winter. Martin Lewis recommends focusing on 'heating the human, not the home', suggesting that those working from home or spending evenings in one room may find electric heaters cheaper. HuffPost UK reports that electric heaters suitable for room heating cost under 63p per hour to run.

Researchers at Notre Dame Australia and Cancer Council WA have modelled restricting tobacco sales locations. Limiting sales to supermarkets could cut licensed retailers by 82 per cent, while prohibiting sales within 500 metres of schools could reduce retailers by 41 per cent. A survey of over 1,100 Western Australian residents found 81 per cent believed tobacco should not be sold near schools.

Smithsonian Starstruck: An Immersive Experience opens at Northbridge Centre in Perth on 26 November, bringing the Smithsonian's astronomical research to life through virtual reality and storytelling. The 40-minute exhibition uses wireless headsets to let visitors explore a 3-D environment, with friends and family appearing as digital avatars. The experience starts at the Fred Lawrence Whipple Observatory in Arizona before taking attendees into deep space, drawing on observations from major telescopes including Hubble, James Webb and the Chandra X-ray Observatory. Visitors will encounter the Pillars of Creation where stars form, a supernova simulation of Betelgeuse, and Sagittarius A*, the black hole at the centre of the galaxy.

A couple in their 30s who bought an apartment in Canberra 18 months ago say they are struggling to meet mortgage repayments and fear a fifth interest rate rise will make their situation untenable. They were initially told by their mortgage broker that they could afford the repayments based on their incomes, but say they cannot now make ends meet.

Senior bureaucrats at an unspecified state are earning more than the state's two leaders. The revelation comes as mass job cuts are anticipated.

OpenAI has released ChatGPT Images 2.6, enabling users to create animated GIFs directly within the chatbot. The feature works with text prompts or photo uploads and allows adjustment of animation speed and frame-by-frame editing. Users can share GIFs via a shareable link or download them. The update also brings faster image generation across the platform.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez won a third term in Washington's 3rd Congressional District, defeating Republican state Senator John Braun. The district backed Trump by roughly 3 percentage points in 2024. Gluesenkamp Perez angered Democratic leaders in September when she sided with Republicans on two procedural votes that helped advance the GOP agenda. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the move a 'breach of trust', and other Democrats called for her removal from the House Appropriations Committee. Her victory is significant for Democrats, who are gaining control of the House in January.

The A34 near Oxford was affected by traffic disruption following an incident. The outlets reported the disruption but provided no further details of what caused it or its severity.

A new Wetherspoon pub on Edinburgh's Chambers Street has been delayed until January 26, 2027, after originally being scheduled to open on November 3. The pub, called The William Chambers, will occupy the former Vodka Revolution site. Edinburgh Live reports the reason for the delay is not currently known. The delayed opening comes as JD Wetherspoon announces plans to open 25 new pubs next year, with five to ten managed sites between now and August.

Cardi B has revealed that her son with NFL player Stefon Diggs is named Grey Marsean Diggs. She announced the name on Instagram to mark his first birthday, sharing photos and a message describing the child as giving her strength during an uncertain time. Cardi had confirmed her pregnancy in September 2024 in an interview with CBS, saying she felt 'very strong' and 'very powerful' whilst working and creating the baby with Diggs.

A man suffered serious injuries after being stabbed in the chest in Darley Park, Derby, at around 12:45am on Saturday, 10 October. He was approached by two men before the assault and was taken to hospital for treatment. Derbyshire police are appealing for witnesses, describing the attackers as white men of slim build wearing all black clothing and grey and black Nike Air Force 1 trainers.

Nine men are on trial at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court accused of sexually assaulting a woman from Stockport. Her husband, in his 60s, has admitted drugging and raping her for more than 20 years and allowing other men to abuse her at their home. Prosecutors told the jury he could turn from appearing an affectionate husband into a 'monster'. The husband has told prosecutors he 'fully expects to die in prison' and 'wants to tell the truth'. He will give evidence at the trial. The nine men deny all charges.

Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell has provided an encouraging update on his recovery after sustaining a serious neck injury during Sunday's win over the Minnesota Vikings. The 26-year-old was taken to hospital after going limp whilst attempting to tackle Vikings tight end T.J. Hockenson in the fourth quarter. In a statement released Wednesday, Campbell said he has full movement in his lower body and is continuing to make progress with upper body movement. He remains optimistic about his recovery, stating he is 'taking things one day at a time' and focusing on getting better.

The Voice UK semi-finalist Amália Estradas, a 23-year-old Birmingham-based singer-songwriter who competed on Sir Tom Jones' team in season 14, is to perform at The Pheasant pub in New Street, Worcester on Saturday, December 5 during the city's Victorian Christmas Fayre. The event runs from 7.30pm to 10pm and will also feature Eddy Luna and Lew Farky. Estradas, known for her powerful vocal range, reached the semi-final stage before elimination and is expected to perform original material and popular covers.

Hasan Piker, a far-left Twitch streamer, conducted a 13-hour livestream on Tuesday celebrating Democratic victories in taking control of the House and Senate and winning key gubernatorial races. The broadcast drew over 200,000 viewers at its peak. Piker declared 'Trumpism is dying' and expressed satisfaction with Democratic Socialists of America candidates' performance, though he criticised the party for running too many moderate Democrats rather than socialists.

Firefighters are dealing with a house fire in Crawley. Three fire engines are in attendance at the property. Further details have not yet been released.

Senate Democrats plan to investigate JPMorgan Chase's banking relationship with Jeffrey Epstein once they take control of Congress in January. The Senate Finance Committee, likely to be chaired by Ron Wyden, will scrutinise how the bank's executives handled Epstein, who was a major client for about 15 years before JPMorgan dropped him in 2013, five years after he pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor. Epstein died by suicide in a Manhattan jail cell in 2019 weeks after being charged with human trafficking.

Jamie Foxx, 58, has welcomed his first child with girlfriend Alyce Huckstepp, 31. Foxx is already father to daughters Corinne, 32, and Anelise, 17 or 18, from previous relationships. Foxx and Huckstepp began dating in 2023, separated in January 2025, then reunited. Foxx confirmed during a Jimmy Kimmel Live appearance in October that another child was on the way.

Fareham Borough Council's Executive unanimously agreed in principle to dispose of around 1,600 square metres of Coldeast Open Space for a four-court padel centre. If approved, Padel4All would build the facility next to Holly Hill Leisure Centre, having already opened courts next to Fareham Leisure Centre earlier this year. Councillors said residents in the western wards would benefit from the development.

Carla Lockhart has proposed legislation to remove from office any Stormont minister convicted of breaking the law or found to have breached the pledge of office. Lockhart insists her former party should force Michelle O'Neill to resign her DUP counterpart position now, rather than wait for the proposed ban.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet approved new rules on 3 November covering the anti-social use and storage of vehicles. The policy targets riding motorbikes, quad bikes, e-scooters and mopeds anywhere other than roads and authorised tracks, alongside dangerous or reckless riding and wearing balaclavas or face coverings. Action could range from warning letters to possession proceedings against tenants.

Campaigners across County Durham and North Yorkshire have renewed calls for Graduated Driving Licences (GDL) to be introduced nationally, after Northern Ireland became the first part of the UK to implement the scheme on 1 October. The new rules require learner drivers to complete a minimum six-month learning period, follow a structured training programme and pass a theory test before their practical. New drivers then face a two-year restricted period and must display R plates. For the first six months after passing their test, drivers under 24 cannot carry passengers aged 14 to 20 between 11pm and 6am, except for immediate family or when accompanied by an experienced driver.

Celtic manager Martin O'Neill met supporters in Greenock on Monday following the club's defeat to Falkirk. Celtic have lost six of their past ten fixtures, prompting fan concerns. O'Neill, accompanied by the board, told supporters that his job 'depends on results' rather than meetings, and said he attended to understand fan sentiment. Celtic face Besiktas in the Europa League on Thursday, seeking their first victory in the competition after three consecutive losses.

A Robinson R44 helicopter crashed into Biscayne Bay near Miami on Wednesday shortly before 11.30am local time, killing one person and injuring two others. The aircraft, carrying three people, went down in waters off Key Biscayne near Bill Baggs State Park. The National Transportation Safety Board said the helicopter appeared to be conducting a photography flight. Two survivors were rescued and transported to a trauma centre by emergency responders from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, the City of Miami Fire Rescue and Key Biscayne Fire Rescue. The Daily Mail later identified the deceased pilot as Tomas Pendas, 63, with passengers named as Ryan McCoy and Ryan Ferraro. The FAA and NTSB are investigating the crash.

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue responded to a forest fire in Wykeham Forest at 8.08am. Crews from Scarborough and Kirkbymoorside were deployed, along with the Kirkbymoorside Argocat, an amphibious all-terrain vehicle. They used wildfire tools, a hose reel jet, high pressure lance and thermal imaging camera to extinguish the fire and check for remaining hotspots.

Ralph Fiennes has revealed he was in discussions to play James Bond years before he eventually joined the franchise as intelligence chief M. Fiennes, 63, said he acted like a 'fool' and lost the role after suggesting the producers adapt the stories in the style of 1950s black and white film noir. He first appeared in the Bond franchise in Skyfall in 2012 as Gareth Mallory, later taking over as M from Judi Dench.

Three quarters of parents believe their children's creativity is being stifled by screen time, homework and over-scheduled lives, according to a survey of 2,000 parents. Digital device use was cited as the biggest obstacle (49%), followed by homework (47%), hectic routines (29%) and insufficient free time (20%). Parents also acknowledged their own work commitments prevent them supporting creative pursuits.

The head of the Civil Service, Jayne Brady, has said she has no power to override a minister's decision to prevent his officials from giving evidence to their Assembly scrutiny committee.

Vice President JD Vance has blamed the Iran war for Republicans' defeat in midterm elections, suggesting the conflict was not worth ceding control of Congress to Democrats. Fox News reports that Vance has privately accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of being 'wrong on everything' about the war, positioning himself as favouring negotiated settlement over military strikes. Vance, seen as a likely 2028 presidential candidate, leads a faction of administration officials warning Trump that the unpopular war could cost Republicans politically.

State Senator Scott Wiener has won the congressional seat representing San Francisco's 11th District, succeeding Nancy Pelosi after her nearly four-decade tenure. Supervisor Connie Chan conceded Wednesday after Wiener secured 55.5 per cent of the vote to her 44.5 per cent. Wiener will become San Francisco's first openly LGBTQ congressional representative.

Nine homes on the Norfolk coast – six cottages in Newport and three on Fakes Road in Hemsby – have been identified by Great Yarmouth Borough Council as at imminent risk of collapse. Owners have been told to plan to leave. This follows the demolition of 26 homes last winter.

Santa Monica Studio has delayed God of War Laufey from its originally planned February 16 release to May 20, 2027. The studio said it needed the extra time to add finishing touches and push the game to its fullest potential. The PS5 exclusive stars Faye, the wife of protagonist Kratos, played by Deborah Ann Woll.

Queen tribute band Radio Ga Ga will perform at Nottingham's Royal Concert Hall next year, paying tribute to the legendary rock band.

The Six Nations and Sanzaar unions have agreed to sell their media rights and commercial deals collectively in a new revenue-sharing model. Southern hemisphere nations will receive a share of profits from Six Nations and British & Irish Lions tours, while European countries benefit from Rugby Championship broadcasts. A new rights management agency overseen by a 10-person board will manage sales for the Six Nations, Rugby Championship, Lions tours and Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series.

Neighbours near the Whiffler pub in Hellesdon have objected to road improvement plans submitted by Wetherspoon as part of a wider site revamp. Broadland District Council imposed the safety measures as conditions of approval. The plans include new bollards, reinstated grass verges and H-bars to prevent inappropriate parking on City View Road, but neighbours say these measures will not stop pub customers from parking on verges and nearby streets.

Scottish Parliament has voted down Reform UK's proposal to ban full-face coverings such as the burqa and niqab. MSPs passed a Government amendment stating it was 'not for Parliament to legislate for what women choose to wear', rejecting the call by 92 to 15 votes with eight abstentions. Both First Minister John Swinney and SNP minister Kirsten Oswald accused Reform of racism and divisiveness, with Oswald noting the motion specifically targeted religious coverings while ignoring balaclavas worn by far-right activists.

Memory chip manufacturer Macronix has announced it is gradually phasing out production of ROM chips used in Nintendo Switch cartridges, instead focusing on more lucrative NOR and NAND memory for data centres. Macronix's ROM revenue fell 39 per cent year on year in the third quarter of 2026, now representing only 5 per cent of the company's business, while its data centre memory revenue surged. Nintendo has said it remains committed to physical games and has no plans to abandon cartridges.

Four races for US Senate and governor remain uncalled by the Associated Press as of Thursday, with votes still outstanding in Alaska, Kansas and Mississippi. Democrats have secured control of both chambers of Congress. In Mississippi's Senate race, Democrat Scott Colom leads Republican Cindy Hyde-Smith by 1,145 votes with 96% of ballots counted, but several thousand provisional ballots remain. Alaska's Senate race between Democrat Mary Peltola and Republican Dan Sullivan is extremely close, with Peltola ahead by 637 votes at 74% counted. Both Alaska races may go to additional rounds of tabulation if no candidate reaches 50%.

A man is being hunted after a fatal shooting and sexual assault at a hair salon in Northwest Philadelphia on Monday afternoon. Jamal Pistoria, 33, allegedly attacked three women in the backroom of the salon on Stenton Avenue in West Oak Lane, beating and sexually assaulting two of them. He shot and killed 34-year-old Bellaniri Ofelia Hernandez Camilo during the attack. Pistoria fled after the surviving victims fought back and was later seen on surveillance buying a soda at a nearby convenience store. Police describe him as armed and extremely dangerous.

VMware has announced vSphere Express, a lower-cost virtualization offering for organisations with smaller requirements, supporting up to 128 cores. The move follows complaints from small- to medium-sized business customers that VMware was pushing them towards expensive bundles they did not need. A VMware executive said the company had been 'listening to a lot of our lower-end customers who didn't really want the VVF but wanted the core virtualization capability'.

The former Grey Walls Hotel in Windermere, which had stood derelict and untouched for five years, is undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation into a luxury apart-hotel. The project is being led by Cradel Haus, a luxury holiday accommodation brand owned by husband-and-wife team Craig and Del Parsons. The 17 suites, studios and rooms are designed to offer year-round accommodation and are expected to open in December 2026.

Hearts have announced a loss of £2.4m for the year ending 30 June, their first year with Brighton owner Tony Bloom involved. The club recorded a turnover of more than £23m, a record for a Scottish club not playing in European competition. Tony Bloom will support much of the deficit as part of his investment, and the club expect significant improvement in their next accounts due to European competition revenues and further player trading.

Drug poisoning deaths across Essex rose 8% to 94 in 2025, up from 87 the previous year. Colchester recorded the highest toll with 20 deaths, followed by Tendring with 15 and Harlow with 11. However, some areas saw far sharper increases: deaths in Basildon more than doubled, rising 125% from four to nine, while Harlow saw an 83% rise from six to 11.

Shaun Simpson, 39, from Patterdale in Cumbria, has been placed on the sex offenders register after pleading guilty to three counts of making indecent photographs of a child. He was in possession of 10 category A images, seven category B images and eight category C images, committed between August 2023 and February 2024 in Barrow. He will be sentenced on 3 December.

Two-year-old dachshund sisters Coco and Cassie have arrived at Longview Animal Centre after a change in their owner's circumstances. The RSPCA's Blackpool and North Lancs branch is looking for an active home where the pair can stay together as the only pets, with people around most of the day. They could live with older children who understand dogs.

An East Cambridgeshire councillor has expressed concerns over plans to build a data centre in Sutton-in-the-Isle with a capacity of 330MW. The facility is proposed by SWI Group, headed by Max-Hervé George, and would join four other hyper-scale data centres under the rebranded AiOnX group in Ireland, Denmark, Spain and Italy. The development is part of a wider plan to deliver 2GW of capacity across five sites, backed by investment exceeding €20 billion.

Colchester Zoo has announced the return of its sell-out Christmas reindeer experience, available from November through January on selected dates. Visitors will meet three reindeer named North, Alaska and Winter, learn about the animals and may give them treats. Sessions run at 10am and 3.30pm, with bookings costing £20 for groups of up to five people.

Wildlives Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Thorrington is urging residents to check bonfire piles for wildlife before lighting them this Bonfire Night. Founder Rosie Catford warns that hedgehogs and other small creatures often shelter under bonfire materials and risk being trapped, overcome by smoke or burnt alive if the fire is lit without checking.

A 46-tonne abnormal load is due to leave Felixstowe Docks at 9.30am on Wednesday, 11 November, heading for Portsmouth. The load, measuring 6.13 metres wide, 4.9 metres high and 30 metres long, will travel along Dock Road, the A14 and A12 before joining the M25 and continuing to junction 17 at the Buckinghamshire border. Police will escort the load for the entire route.

Superdry is advertising for a full-time Retail Team Leader, called a 'Brand Lead', at its store in Braintree Village. The role involves leading and motivating staff, delivering customer service and managing store operations including opening, closing and cash handling. The successful applicant will receive a competitive hourly rate, 20 days' holiday plus a birthday day off, pension contributions and life assurance, alongside staff discounts of up to 50 per cent and flexible working options including a potential four-day week.

The Crown in Bildeston has been ranked 47th in The Good Food Guide's annual list of Britain's Best 100 Local Pubs, one of four Suffolk establishments to make the cut. Owner Charlie Buckle said the pub's team are 'incredibly proud' to be recognised. The pub uses an 'estate-to-plate' approach, sourcing ingredients from its kitchen garden and the Nedging Hall estate.

The Stop Stell Solar Farm Action Group has raised safety concerns about revised highways proposals for the Stell Solar Farm development near Bedale. The group says 11 temporary passing places on narrow country roads will help large lorries pass each other but offer limited protection to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Developer Enviromena Project Management UK Ltd says the passing bays are necessary to allow articulated lorries up to 16.5 metres long to pass safely during the estimated 850 HGV movements required for construction.

The RFU has extended Steve Borthwick's contract through to summer 2028 and pledged its backing for the England head coach ahead of next year's World Cup. The move comes despite England's worst-ever Six Nations campaign earlier this year, which included a first-ever defeat to Italy. RFU chief executive Bill Sweeney said the union is 'committed' to Borthwick and believes he can deliver continued progress, even if results in this autumn's Nations Championship are poor. England face Australia, Japan and New Zealand this month.

B&M will open a new store in Rayleigh town centre on 5 December in the former Poundland premises on Eastwood Road. The discount retailer will sell branded food, homeware, toys, DIY products, garden supplies and household essentials. Poundland had occupied the site since November 2021 but closed in May. The nearest existing B&M to Rayleigh is currently at Airport Retail Park in Rochford.

NHS Essex is investing an extra £850,000 in orthodontic services to cut waiting times for children and young people needing braces and retainers. The funding is expected to allow practices to treat up to 500 additional patients by the end of March 2027. Beverley Flowers, executive director of neighbourhood health at NHS Essex, said the investment will help young people access services sooner and strengthen support for orthodontic practices.

The Daily Express claims Andy Burnham is taking a high-stakes gamble by downplaying the threat posed by Nigel Farage's Reform UK party, despite analysis suggesting Reform is on course to take 95 seats from Labour. The outlet argues the PM is not giving Reform publicity while simultaneously governing in ways that could alienate voters, such as pursuing closer ties with the EU and pursuing food standards alignment with Brussels at an EU-UK summit.

Jesus de Miguel, a 30-year-old Tenerife striker, died on Tuesday morning after suffering cardiac arrest following a collision with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a match on Monday. Owono was sent off for the incident, which occurred in stoppage time when the goalkeeper ran from his goal and struck De Miguel heavily in the chest. De Miguel was taken to hospital in intensive care but died the following morning. A preliminary autopsy report confirmed he died from "accidental chest trauma". Spanish police opened a routine investigation into the death as a potential involuntary manslaughter case, though criminal proceedings are considered unlikely under Spanish law. De Miguel's funeral took place on Thursday in his hometown of Navahermosa, Toledo, attended by Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez and other football figures. His family issued a statement saying they were grateful for the support and tributes received from across the football world.

Three rare bohemian waxwings have attracted crowds of birdwatchers to Jenny Lind Park in Norwich. The pinkish-grey winter visitors from northern Europe were spotted feeding on rowan berries in a tree. The sighting sparked excitement after a picture was shared on Facebook.

Herbert Blomstedt, the Swedish-American conductor who led major orchestras for seven decades, has died aged 99. Born in Massachusetts in 1927 to Swedish parents, he continued conducting into his late 90s, with his final performance in May this year at age 98. He was particularly known for his time as music director of the San Francisco Symphony from 1985 to 1995 and his work with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra.

Costa Coffee in Haxby, near York, will close on 14 January 2027, a manager announced on social media. The manager said staff would continue 'smiling and carrying on until our last day' and asked the community to refrain from negative comments, noting that the closure would cost jobs. The Press and Gazette & Herald have contacted Costa Coffee for further details about the staff's future.

Two brothers have been jailed after a man died at a building site in Erdington, Birmingham, following what courts described as a 'cavalier attitude to safe working'. The brothers received sentences totalling 11 years and 32 weeks.

Glasgow councillors have approved plans for 49 two and three bedroom flats on a long-derelict site at Pacific Quay in Govan. The development will feature two blocks of six and five storeys, a ground floor shop unit, solar panels and a rooftop garden, along with 32 parking spaces and 60 cycle spaces. Councillors welcomed the scheme as bringing needed housing to the area.

A 300-year-old oak tree crashed onto Woodham Mortimer Cricket Club's clubhouse in Essex on Saturday, October 24, damaging the men's and ladies' toilet areas and causing structural damage. The club has launched a GoFundMe appeal to raise money for essential repairs. Development Officer George Verlander said the tree could have caused far worse damage: 'Thankfully, it didn't go through sort of the centre of the clubhouse, but, yes, some structural damage nonetheless that we're now sort of having to look at repairing.' The repairs are important to the club's plans to launch its first ECB Dynamos Cricket section next summer to introduce younger players to the game.

West Hollywood, California has unanimously approved an ordinance allowing people in relationships with three or more partners to register with the city. The measure grants registered partners hospital and jail visitation rights and additional tenant protections, though it does not provide the same legal rights as marriage or traditional domestic partnerships. Supporters say the ordinance addresses discrimination faced by polyamorous people in housing, healthcare and other services.

A wanted man in York was captured after a police drone spotted him hiding between a house and a shed on Monday, November 2. He was wanted for failing to attend a court hearing on October 6 relating to alleged theft from a Morrisons store in May. He has been remanded into custody.

Millwall will travel to The Hawthorns to face West Brom on Saturday afternoon in their final fixture before the November international break. The Lions are dealing with a double injury blow at right-back ahead of the match.

Police have released CCTV images of a man they want to question in connection with a hotel fire in Chester. The man is believed to be in the Rotherham or Sheffield area.

A bill to introduce a visitor levy on overnight stays in York and North Yorkshire has been introduced in the Commons. If passed, it would allow metro mayors to implement such levies in their areas. York and North Yorkshire's mayor, David Skaith, has committed to capping any levy at five per cent or below and said it could raise up to £26 million for reinvestment locally.

Walter House, delivered by Hightown Housing Association, has officially opened in Welwyn Garden City with 128 new affordable homes. The development on Broadwater Road comprises 90 homes for social rent and 38 for shared ownership, with all social rent homes allocated to people on Welwyn Hatfield Borough Council's housing register. The scheme includes 51 one-bedroom, 76 two-bedroom and one three-bedroom apartment, all designed with sustainability in mind.

Vice President JD Vance said Wednesday that Republicans lost both chambers of Congress because of voter opposition to the war in Iran. He argued the party must be honest about the conflict's impact on their campaigns. Vance said Trump voters who switched to Democrats in 2026 did so to end the war, address the cost of living, put America first and change the US relationship with Israel.

Gabriel Pereira, 37, a Brazilian national, appeared before Dublin District Court charged with dangerous driving causing the death of Danielle O'Keane, 37, from Newry, Co Down. Ms O'Keane was injured in a rickshaw crash on North Wall Quay on 26 September following a Westlife concert and died in hospital on 1 October. Pereira is also accused of endangering three other women during the incident.

The Butchershop, a Manhattan-style steakhouse in Glasgow's West End, has been named the only Glasgow restaurant in OpenTable's 2026 UK top 100 list. It is one of just three Scottish venues on the list, alongside Edinburgh restaurants Cafe Calton and The Cottage at Royal Terrace. The restaurant achieved a 4.8-star rating on OpenTable based on nearly 2,000 reviews.

Retired Rear Admiral Nancy Lacore, the Democratic candidate for South Carolina's 1st Congressional District, claimed victory after Tuesday's election. Republican opponent Jenny Costa Honeycutt's campaign contacted Lacore to concede the race, though votes have not all been counted and the race has not yet been officially called. Lacore said the Lowcountry had come together across party lines in a district that Donald Trump won by 13 points two years ago.

Three people have been sentenced to a combined 47 years in prison for conspiracy to supply cocaine worth £80 million. The plot was exposed on 26 November 2021 when a lorry driver stopped for tea at a burger van near Lilliput Road in Northampton. Witnesses saw a grey transit van pull up, and men removed wrapped packages from the lorry. Police recovered seven holdalls from the lorry and, within two hours, found 11 more in the transit van. The 18 holdalls contained 78kg of cocaine with a street value of more than £80 million. Craig Le-Mare, 36, from Watford, was sentenced to 20 years at the Old Bailey on Wednesday. Kelly Robertson, 46, from Watford, was sentenced to 15 years, and Michael Weston, 57, to 12 years and nine months.

The Golden State Warriors have stopped paying Kristaps Porzingis his $20 million salary, ruling he is not rendering services. Porzingis stepped away before training camp citing symptoms related to Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS). The 31-year-old is not currently disputing the withheld payments, and the NBA Players' Association has no plans to dispute it.

Cosy Club in Cornmarket, Oxford, which opened in 2023 on the first floor of Jesus College's Cheng Yu Tung building, has launched its new autumn and winter menu. The restaurant offers a spacious but intimate atmosphere with tasteful artwork, subdued lighting and comfortable seating, and can accommodate up to 200 diners. Staff maintained good service during a busy Saturday visit.

Labour MPs Kate Osborne and Sharon Hodgson have praised last week's Budget, saying it will make a real difference to families this winter. Ms Hodgson said it will bring growth and provide 'breathing space' for families, pensioners and young people after years of Conservative government.

A planning inspector has overturned North Yorkshire Council's decision to refuse retrospective planning permission for decking and seating outside The Rooftop Cocktail Bar at Pier Terrace, Scarborough. The council had argued the development harmed the conservation area and encroached on public land. Inspector Chris Watson-Pipe ruled the council had failed to show sufficient harm, finding the decking's materials and use fitted with the surrounding hospitality businesses and did not significantly alter access or parking.

A study of 4,339 parents across nine European countries, including 500 from the UK, found that 53% experienced loneliness during the first 1,000 days with a child aged three or under. Two thirds reported having a 'village' of support around them, yet parents have an average of only three sources of support compared with eight recommended by paediatricians. Family members, partners and friends typically comprise this village, but 66% felt their support network was weaker than it had been 20 years ago.

New Zealand's election campaign enters its final 48 hours with a controversy over sexist comments made by Michael Laws, a broadcaster and former National MP now standing as an NZ First candidate. Laws made misogynistic remarks about a rival candidate from the Opportunity party on an online talk show, commenting on her appearance and making sexual innuendos. Prime Minister Chris Luxon called the comments 'stupid' and ruled Laws out of his stated ambition to become broadcasting minister. Opportunity leader Qiulae Wong said her party would not partner with NZ First without a full apology. Laws offered a conditional apology, saying his remarks were 'intended to be mischievously humorous'. More than one million voters have already cast ballots ahead of the 7 November election, with a final multi-party debate expected to draw a million viewers on Thursday.

The Loony Dook, a 40-year-old New Year's Day tradition in which hundreds of swimmers brave the icy waters of the Firth of Forth near South Queensferry, has been cancelled. Community organiser Tony Pirouet announced the cancellation, citing growing safety concerns and the event's increased popularity. He stated that without proper safety measures such as road closures, safety fencing and marshals, he could not responsibly continue the event. Pirouet expressed hope that the Dook could return in 2028.

Australia's data centre construction projects are set to reach $870 billion in 2027, more than double the peak of the mining boom in the 2000s, according to Deloitte analysis. The investment is adding economic pressures and threatening to monopolise an already stretched workforce. Sheraan Underwood, the report's lead author, warned that labour shortages and competition for workers and materials will add to costs and raise the risk that projects are delayed, scaled back or take longer to deliver.

An inquest is examining the deaths of six primary school students killed when a jumping castle became airborne at Hillcrest Primary School in Tasmania on 16 December 2021. Rosemary Gamble, operator of Taz-Zorb, described the castle being lifted by a dust devil about 4 metres wide, saying it swirled 'like the house from the Wizard of Oz'. The victims were Year 5 and 6 students enjoying end-of-year celebrations. Gamble was cleared of criminal workplace health and safety breaches in 2025, though a magistrate ruled she could have done more to secure the castle.

Australian science communicator Karl Kruszelnicki has been named by TikTok as one of four global creators to attend COP31, the UN climate summit in Antalya, Turkey, during November talks. Kruszelnicki, an author, doctor, physicist and television and radio presenter, plans to bring what he calls 'irrational optimism' to encourage a shift away from fossil fuels. He says greater investment in electrification and clean energy sources, along with plans to phase out fossil fuels, should be prioritised at the summit.

West Brom defender George Campbell has earned another call-up to the USA national team, but a fitness issue may prevent him from taking part. The club is assessing the injury.

Work is due to start on Friday on a £1.1m scheme to improve Morley town centre in south Leeds. The six-month project, funded by government through the Morley Town Deal and backed by Leeds City Council, will include new seating and planting, better accessibility and other improvements to the pedestrianised Queen Street and nearby Commercial Street. The council has said the centre will remain open for business throughout the works.

Leeds United welcome Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday with mixed injury news ahead of the match. Defender Joe Rodon has returned to full training after missing several weeks, but Noah Okafor, Anton Stach and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are major doubts, having missed training this week with various injuries. Leeds have not won in five games and scored just twice in that period, though manager Daniel Farke says there is 'not much missing' from their performances.

Grimsby Town have appointed former defender Ryan Bennett as their player recruitment lead, replacing Alex Hughes who died aged 38 in June. Bennett, 36, started his playing career at Grimsby and became their youngest ever captain aged 17 in 2007. He has held scouting roles at Luton Town and Brentford since retiring in 2024.

The UK government has introduced the Energy Independence Bill to ban new oil and gas licences in the North Sea, fulfilling Labour's 2024 manifesto commitment. The legislation would remove the North Sea Transition Authority's power to grant new exploration licences. The move does not affect existing approvals including Rosebank and Jackdaw. The government says the policy supports climate targets and energy independence, whilst the Conservatives and industry figures argue it threatens jobs and energy security.

Police are appealing for information after a black Land Rover Discovery was seen driving erratically before colliding with a stationary vehicle on Kingsacre Road in Rutherglen on Tuesday, 3 November at around 3.15pm. The vehicle, believed to have a 2008 or 2009 registration plate, left the scene before officers arrived and was later spotted on Cathkin Bypass heading towards East Kilbride. No injuries were reported.

The SDLP has unveiled a blueprint for radical Stormont reforms designed to end political paralysis in Northern Ireland. The party views the proposals as a step towards a 'New Ireland', and has called for the centre of government to be moved away from Stormont, though executive parties have objected to this suggestion.

An 86-year-old Hurley man died after a three-vehicle crash on South Dakota Highway 44 near Lennox on 28 October. According to the South Dakota Highway Patrol, a westbound Ford Expedition was slowing to turn left when a Chevrolet Express behind it failed to notice and rear-ended it, sending the Ford into the eastbound lane where it struck an oncoming Volkswagen Taos. The 86-year-old, who was in the Volkswagen, was airlifted to a Sioux Falls hospital, where he died from his injuries on 2 November. The drivers of the Ford and Volkswagen sustained serious, non-life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Chevrolet was not injured. The South Dakota Highway Patrol continues to investigate.

Gareth Ritter, 44, a teacher featured in Channel 4 documentary series Educating Cardiff, has been sentenced to 33 months suspended for two and a half years for sexually assaulting a 17-year-old girl. He initially denied the assault but changed his plea to guilty during trial in October. The judge described the incident as a 'cruel assault on a young woman by an older man'. Ritter was also placed on the sex offenders' register for life following his earlier admission to making and distributing indecent photographs of a child.

Florida voters approved Amendment 3 on Tuesday with 62 per cent of the vote, expanding the homestead exemption for non-school property taxes. The exemption will rise from $50,000 to $150,000 in 2027 and then to $250,000 in 2028. Homeowners with a median-valued home of $290,000 would save $1,632 in 2027 and $2,674 in 2028. Governor Ron DeSantis said he will convene a special legislative session within two months to implement the measure. The amendment applies to existing homeowners who are permanent Florida residents before January 1, 2027; new residents will receive a smaller exemption for five years before qualifying for the full benefit.

Campaigners opposing the Stell Solar Farm development in North Yorkshire say 11 temporary passing places on narrow country roads will not adequately protect walkers, cyclists and horse riders during construction. Developer Enviromena Project Management UK Ltd proposes the widening to allow articulated lorries up to 16.5 metres long to pass safely on roads such as Lord's Lane, where the carriageway narrows to 2.57 metres in places. The Stop Stell Solar Farm Action Group argues the measures will help lorries pass each other but offer limited protection to vulnerable road users.

The award-winning West End show Comedy About Spies will tour the UK for the first time, with performances at Norwich Theatre Royal from September 7 to 11, 2027. Created by the team behind The Play That Goes Wrong and written by Henry Lewis and Henry Shields, the play won the 2026 WhatsOnStage Award for Best New Play and was nominated for an Olivier Award. The show is described as a 'hilarious 1960s spy escapade' following a rogue British agent who steals secret weapon plans, leading to chaos involving spies, double agents and mistaken identities. Tickets go on public sale from November 27.

Steve Miller, director of culture and heritage at Norfolk County Council and head of Norfolk Museums Service for ten years, is leaving to become head of the National Army Museum in London next year. During his tenure he oversaw ten museums including Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, and the multi-million-pound Royal Palace Reborn project redeveloping Norwich Castle Keep. Miller was made an MBE in the 2024 New Year Honours for services to heritage and tourism.

Flutter, the New York-listed owner of Paddy Power and Betfair, has cut its full-year earnings guidance after reporting a quarterly loss of 1.15 billion dollars for the three months to the end of September. The company blamed higher UK gambling taxes, unfavourable football results and Brazil's betting ban. Flutter said it now expects underlying earnings to fall by 12% to 2.5 billion dollars and sales to rise by 7% to 17.61 billion dollars. The group announced last month it would cut 1,400 jobs – 15% of its 9,000-strong UK and Ireland workforce – as part of a restructuring triggered by the Government's increase in remote gaming taxes from 21% to 40%.

A delivery driver was robbed at gunpoint on the A34 near Newbury on Friday evening. The man was parked in a layby on the southbound carriageway near the East Ilsley Interchange when an unknown offender approached, assaulted him and threatened him with what police believe was a firearm. Products worth approximately £35,000, including CBD oil, CBD pastilles, vape cartridges and liquid vape distillate, were stolen. The victim suffered minor injuries.

A 17-year-old boy has been charged with the murder of Adrian Brown, 34, a father-of-three who was fatally stabbed on Raby Street in Moss Side on 8 May. An 18-year-old man, Taio Lee, has been charged with attempted Section 47 assault in connection with the incident. Both have appeared in court and been remanded in custody to appear at Manchester Crown Court.

Birmingham City Council has voted to examine its financial links with Israel following a motion that passed 54 to 19 on 3 November. Councillors chanted 'Free Palestine' as the result was announced. The motion calls for a six-month review of investments held by the council and the West Midlands Pension Fund, potentially leading to engagement, exclusion or divestment on human rights grounds. Independent councillors Nosheen Khalid and Jamil Khan brought the proposal.

Julie Ann McIlwaine's conviction for murdering her partner James Joseph Crossley was quashed on appeal last month. The Court of Appeal has now reserved judgment on whether she should face a retrial on the murder charge or have it substituted with a manslaughter verdict. McIlwaine admitted killing Crossley but claimed temporary loss of control due to domestic abuse; prosecutors are seeking a retrial while her lawyers argue for a manslaughter conviction.

Hampshire Constabulary is searching for Michael Gower-Crane, 26, wanted in connection with a rape reported at an address in Freshwater. Anyone who has seen him or knows his whereabouts is urged to contact police by calling 101. Police have warned that anyone found harbouring him could be committing an offence and may be arrested.

Receiver Brandon Aiyuk has filed paperwork to be reinstated to the San Francisco 49ers and plans to report to the team on Friday. His new agent, Drew Rosenhaus, confirmed that Aiyuk has officially submitted his reinstatement request to the NFL. Aiyuk has not played since suffering a knee injury in October 2024 and has remained on the reserve/left squad list after leaving the team late last season.

Burnley-born filmmaker Alastair Lee is bringing his acclaimed BritRock Film Tour to Burnley Mechanics Theatre later this month. The tour showcases four climbing and adventure films exploring some of the world's most challenging climbs. Lee grew up above his family's bakery in Brierfield and was first introduced to climbing at the Thompson Centre in Burnley.

Opera North is returning to the Theatre Royal in Nottingham this month with two new productions featuring new talent and new staging. The operas showcase some of the most celebrated musical scores ever written.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson has been placed in concussion protocol after experiencing symptoms Monday night, days after taking a helmet-to-helmet hit in last week's loss to Pittsburgh. If Watson is not cleared before Sunday's game against the New Orleans Saints, backup Shedeur Sanders would make his first start of the season.

Richard Wilkins, 62, is on trial at Winchester Crown Court accused of sexually abusing Joanne Young, who was drugged by her husband Philip Young to allow other men to assault her. Wilkins told the court he responded to an advert placed online by Philip Young and believed the encounter was consensual role-play. He said he heard Joanne snoring when he entered the bedroom where she lay shackled and blindfolded, and assumed this meant she was awake.

Sheffield City Council's Labour and Green parties have resolved their dispute and will continue their joint power-sharing administration. The row had centred on the issue of Zionism, with Labour nationally instructing councils including Sheffield to break such deals. A council meeting was delayed for an hour as talks between the parties continued, before Labour leader Fran Belbin announced they would 'work more constructively together going forward' and issue a joint statement within days.

Alex de Minaur's bid to qualify for the ATP Finals for a third consecutive year has ended after he lost 7-6 (7-2), 6-3 to Argentine Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the opening round of the Paris Masters. De Minaur, ranked world No.9, had strengthened his position for the tournament by defeating Alexander Zverev and reaching the Vienna Open final, but a loss to Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday's final appeared to affect his confidence. With Paris being the last qualifying event, de Minaur is now stranded in ninth place in the Race to Turin standings and can only reach the season-ending finals if one of the current top eight withdraws.

An inquest into the death of Caitlin Hogg, 13, concluded that she died on 8 December 2022 from a traumatic brain injury caused by a collision two days earlier. The Mount Lourdes Grammar School student was struck by a car on the Moher Road in Kinawley, County Fermanagh, after getting off her school bus on 6 December. Her father described her as a 'beautiful girl whose smile lit up the room'. The coroner noted that the car was travelling at 45 mph or less and the driver attempted to avoid her by veering left.

Manchester's Christmas markets will open on Friday, 6 November and run until Tuesday, 22 December, with some locations staying open until 3 January 2027. The markets will occupy ten locations across the city centre, with Albert Square serving as the main hub for the first time in years as town hall refurbishment works near completion. Over 200 stalls will sell festive items, food and drink including Glühwein and Bratwurst, with new additions including a live artisan pastry baking hut and a selfie sleigh inside a Christmas tree.

A pub in Lincoln's historic Bailgate has lost its bid to retain a 36-person beer garden that was built without planning permission. The Duke William began construction in November 2025 after purchasing a neighbouring property, but the City of Lincoln Council served a stop notice earlier this year. Planners rejected the retrospective planning application, citing increased noise, loss of privacy for neighbours and impact on the Grade II listed 17th-century building. The pub's operator, Ever So Sensible Group, disagreed with the decision, arguing that acoustic modelling showed noise would actually be lower with screening in place. A nearby resident, Imogen Wilde, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service the expansion had made her garden 'extremely unpleasant' to use. The pub says the enforcement notice is being appealed.

Country singer Cody Johnson has cancelled his shows at The O2 Belfast on Wednesday and at Dublin's 3Arena on Thursday after being diagnosed with a viral infection. The reigning Country Music Award Male Vocalist of the Year was forced to call off the dates on doctor's advice. In a statement, Johnson said he was 'extremely disappointed' but had tried to proceed with the performances before seeking medical guidance.

Exeter City face League One leaders Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup first round on Saturday. Midfielder Reece Cole said the team can 'rise to the occasion' despite being underdogs. Exeter have improved form recently, winning four of their last six matches before losing late to Salford City on Saturday.

Virgin Australia will reopen its exclusive Beyond lounge at Perth airport early next year, reserved for invited guests from the airline's largest corporate accounts and selected figures from business, sport and tourism. The lounge takes over the former The Club premises, which has been shut since the pandemic. Chief executive Dave Emerson cited growing demand from WA's mining and energy sectors, saying Perth was an important market for the airline.

Chichester community leaders have asked to meet with the Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner to discuss recent racist and homophobic abuse aimed at actors from the Festival Theatre. In October, a performance of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream was cancelled following an assault on a cast member. Comedian Munya Chawawa, who performed in the production, reported witnessing racism, xenophobia and homophobia during his time in Chichester.

The government has given HMRC new powers to recover unpaid tax by taking money directly from bank accounts. The tax authority can only use this power for debts over £1,000 after other recovery routes have failed, and must leave at least £5,000 untouched across all the debtor's accounts. Tax experts have warned the move could push low-income earners and pensioners into financial hardship, though HMRC must conduct a face-to-face visit before taking action.

Cambridge residents are calling for Gilbert Road in Cambridge to have its speed limit reduced to 20mph following 30 years of accidents on the route. Fifteen years ago, a fatal crash between a car and a cyclist occurred on the road between Arbury and Chesterton. City councillor Richard Swift, who has lived on the road for 30 years, said recent incidents have included a child knocked off their bike and a pregnant woman knocked down.

The Prince Albert pub in Bexleyheath will reopen on 7 November under new management after months of uncertainty. The previous operators left in June, citing rising costs including doubled rent and energy bills reaching £4,500 a month. The reopening will feature karaoke, Mexican street food, drinks and entertainment from midday.

Inspired York is celebrating the 20th anniversary of its annual Christmas show at York Cemetery Chapel on November 7 and 8. The event brings together local artists and makers from across the region, offering shoppers unique Christmas gifts and direct access to creators. Founding member jeweller Jo Bagshaw said: 'I can't believe it's our 20th year of our show.'

Tariq Mehmood, 48, of Reading, was convicted of driving a Hackney carriage without a valid licence between December 2024 and January 2025. South Oxfordshire District Council suspended his licence in December after his criminal record check subscription lapsed. Despite the suspension, Mehmood continued to carry out school transport work with vulnerable children and failed to return his driver's badge. The council became aware of his unlicensed activity after an altercation at a school. His insurance did not cover these journeys. Mehmood pleaded not guilty but was found guilty in his absence at High Wycombe Magistrates' Court and fined £1,924 with eight penalty points added to his DVLA licence.

Terry Murphy captured an optical illusion at Cotswold Wildlife Park last month when two zebras grazing side by side had their necks line up in such a way that they appeared to share a single head. Murphy realised the effect of the photograph only days later when reviewing it on his phone.

Essex Police seized 116 illegal e-scooters and e-bikes in Tendring during a three-month crackdown launched on 30 July. The operation, called Operation Rifle, aimed to tackle anti-social behaviour and road safety concerns. Inspector Grant Fryatt said the seizures were 'significant' but the operation's purpose extended beyond removing vehicles, allowing police to identify wider offending and disrupt people using roads to commit crime.

Alan Kaye, former chief executive of the Isle of Wight Council, has died. He served as the council's director of education from 1995 before becoming chief executive in 2000, a role he held until his retirement in 2002. He was widely respected for his commitment to improving opportunities for young people.

Tesco has suspended Kingston Hill Farm near Abingdon from its supply chain following undercover footage by Animal Justice Project alleging animal welfare breaches. The animal rights organisation filmed covertly at 15 dairy farms between October and September, documenting alleged widespread breaches. At Kingston Hill Farm, Animal Justice Project alleges they recorded severely lame cows being made to walk, violent handling, excessive force by workers, tail twisting and verbal abuse. Tesco said it takes animal welfare seriously and expects farmers to meet its high standards, and that some footage elements are distressing.

Rock band Slade will perform their final ever concert at O2 Academy Oxford on Cowley Road on Tuesday, 16 December, as part of The Final Tour. The band, known for hits including 'Merry Xmas Everybody', promises the show will be 'dynamic, powerful and exhilarating'. They will be joined by Sons of the Seventies, an Oxfordshire tribute band.

A new interactive art trail with three public art installations has opened in York city centre as part of Aesthetica Film Festival's Radical Listening immersive media arts trail, running from 4 to 8 November. Created in partnership with Audible, the trail invites people to pause and rediscover attention in everyday life. The installations explore different themes: one in King's Square uses wire boxes with lights to take audiences on a journey through the city's history, while another in Exhibition Square reflects an artist's experience of cardiac recovery.

A delivery driver in a white Mercedes Sprinter van was robbed at gunpoint near the East Ilsley junction on the southbound A34 on Friday, 30 October, at around 9.40pm. The man was approached by an unknown assailant who threatened him with what is believed to be a firearm and stole medicinal cannabis products worth around £35,000, including liquid vape distillate, CBD pastilles, vape cartridges and CBD oil. The victim suffered minor injuries but was left shaken. Police are appealing for witnesses, particularly motorists with dash-cam footage.

Uber disclosed during its third-quarter earnings call that third-party AI agents arranged only four rides on its platform during the week of Halloween, its busiest period. Around 500 Uber Eats orders were placed by AI agents during the same week, out of 320 million total trips and deliveries. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the company hopes for increased uptake but expressed confidence that customers will continue preferring the Uber app directly.

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) is leaving RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire after 40 years and will move to MOD Boscombe Down near Amesbury in Wiltshire. The military aviation event's 2027 edition, scheduled for July 16 to 18, will be the first at the new location. Ticket holders who have already purchased tickets for 2027 will retain their valid bookings.

West Midlands Police is warning the public to stay vigilant ahead of Birmingham Christmas Market's return on 5 November, with police patrols increasing around the German Market. Visitors have been urged to keep valuables close by and watch family and friends. The market's layout has changed this year due to infrastructure works, with stalls relocated along alternative routes including High Street and beyond Corporation Street. There will be 42 decorated stalls selling crafts, glühwein, schnitzel and other festive items.

Cambridge University has appointed Jason Beer KC, lead barrister of the Post Office Horizon inquiry, to head an independent review into the death of professor Jason Arday. Beer will examine the university's recruitment processes, its handling of allegations of research and other misconduct against Arday, and the support offered to him as Cambridge's youngest-ever Black professor. Arday died at his south London home in August while facing public allegations of plagiarism and questions about his academic qualifications. He had denied the accusations and resigned after Cambridge announced an investigation into his qualifications and career.

A west Belfast woman whose conviction for murdering her abusive partner was quashed should instead have been convicted of manslaughter, the Court of Appeal heard. The case involves a mother who stabbed her partner.

Two people have been taken to hospital following a crash involving a vehicle that had been pursued by police in Leicester city centre on Wednesday. Leicestershire Police said officers came across a VW Passat which made off, leading to an authorised pursuit across the city. Pursuing officers lost sight of the vehicle, which was later found at 11:25 GMT after colliding with an Audi A5 in Red Hill Way. Two people from the Audi were taken to hospital as a precaution, while two occupants of the Passat fled the scene.

New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly, a former federal prosecutor, to lead a criminal investigation into allegations that seven Cornell University fraternity members sexually assaulted a female student in October 2024. Kelly, a Cornell alumna and partner at law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, previously oversaw sex crimes prosecutions against Sean 'Diddy' Combs and fashion executive Peter Nygård. The appointment came after two of the accused men sought to remove James from the investigation, claiming her public support for the accuser showed bias. Kelly will lead an investigative team including members from the attorney general's office and her law firm, reporting directly to James's office.

Hampshire County Council faces a projected budget shortfall of £198.9m for 2027/28 and is consulting residents on how to address it. The Conservative-controlled council is considering service cuts, increased charges and delayed spending. Council leader Nick Adams-King said £95m of savings were made last year, with another £40m built into this year's budget, and that together these measures will have reduced costs by £770m since 2008.

Nigel Farage has accused Donald Trump of breaking a key promise to American voters by launching a war with Iran, which he says cost the Republicans control of Congress in the midterm elections. The Reform UK leader, a long-standing ally of Trump, initially supported the conflict after it began in February but has now shifted position, calling it 'bizarre' and a 'disaster'. Farage said rising fuel prices from the war damaged the Republicans' electoral prospects and expressed concern that Trump will intensify attacks on Iran.

Five caravan pitches have been approved on Green Belt land near Hagley, close to Stourbridge. The sites will be placed in an area of protected countryside.

Alexander Zverev lost 7-6(5) 6-2 to Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in the second round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, his first match since becoming world number one. The 29-year-old German, who secured the ranking after winning the French Open and US Open, said he was 'annoyed' by reactions to his ascent, claiming he is the only player who 'has to explain why it's OK' for him to be at the top.

Micah Parsons, the Green Bay Packers' All-Pro edge rusher, has returned to practice for the first time since tearing his anterior cruciate ligament on 14 December. Packers coach Matt LaFleur said Parsons would participate in individual drills. The Packers now have 21 days to activate him from injured reserve before he must return to games.

Birmingham's bins strike has dragged on for nearly two years after a dispute between the council and Unite the union. The minority coalition now running the council, which includes Liberal Democrats, the Green Party and independents, vowed to resolve the strike when they took control in June. A framework agreement was reached with Unite three months ago, but the deal has not yet been finalised as commissioners and the external auditor conduct due diligence before it goes to cabinet for a decision.

Comedian Joanne McNally was forced to cancel a bonus episode of her podcast My Therapist Ghosted Me after the BBC deemed it a breach of her contract. The episode, recorded on Friday afternoon and scheduled for Sunday, would have featured McNally discussing her experience on Celebrity Traitors, where she was eliminated in the penultimate episode. Podcast producer Joe Attewell revealed that virtually everything discussed in the interview violated contractual obligations signed before filming began.

Lincolnshire County Council's Reform administration is proposing to cut the 'floating housing' service, which currently supports 128 people with mental health or substance issues to prevent homelessness. The council says the service is not 'financially sustainable' and wants to redirect part of the funding towards care leavers. Labour Councillor Karen Lee expressed concern that without support, vulnerable people could become homeless, and warned of wider pressure on NHS, police and council services.

Terzetto Stone & Porcelain, headquartered at Marston Moor Business Park in Tockwith near York, has ceased trading immediately and instructed insolvency specialists to place the company into Creditors' Voluntary Liquidation on 18 November. Around 20 people have lost their jobs. The company, which has traded since 2003, grew from its Tockwith base into a national retailer with additional showrooms in Cheshire, Warwickshire, Oxfordshire and Ilkley in West Yorkshire.

Rachel Apa, 24, collapsed during the New York City Marathon at around the 24-mile mark on Sunday afternoon, roughly 2.2 miles from the finish line. A spectator, hospital social worker Michaela Nicholas, who had just cheered Apa on moments before, rushed to help. Nicholas held Apa's hand and told her she was not alone. Two doctors in the crowd began CPR.

Several scenic walking routes across Derbyshire and the Peak District are recommended for autumn exploration, each with a pub at the end for visitors to enjoy after their walk.

Police are appealing for the public's help to find Mark Fada, 31, who is wanted in connection with multiple offences in Bicester. He is believed to have attacked a man in his 30s with an unknown weapon on Orchard Way on 10 July, causing a substantial cut to the victim's face that required stitches, and damaging a vehicle. Fada is also believed responsible for thefts of an e-bike, groceries and goods from Nike, and a bottle of Coca-Cola in early July and August. Police have urged members of the public not to approach him and to call 999 if they see him.

A non-injury collision on the M27 westbound at junction 3, near Southampton Docks, was reported to Hampshire Constabulary at 7.27am on Thursday, November 5. Two lanes were closed, causing traffic to build up between junctions 3 and 7, with delays of up to 13 minutes reported and speeds falling to around 10mph at peak disruption. The police did not attend the scene, leaving it for National Highways to manage. By 9.37am, delays of 11 minutes were still being reported as traffic began to ease.

The £2 bus fare cap covering Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Ayrshire could cost ScotRail as much as £20 million as passengers switch from trains to buses. ScotRail managing director Joanne Maguire told Holyrood's Transport Committee that a similar pilot in the Highlands and Islands resulted in a 12 per cent drop in rail revenue, equivalent to £750,000 per year. She said if the same impact occurs in the larger Strathclyde area, losses could reach £20 million. However, Ms Maguire said it was still too early to assess the long-term effect of the cap, which came into force in September, adding that ScotRail was not yet seeing a significant impact.