Russia imposed fuel-sale restrictions in at least eight regions after a Ukrainian drone struck the Kirishi oil refinery in Leningrad region, where the governor reported a fire. The limits come as Ukraine continues attacks on Russian oil facilities and as Moscow and Kyiv prepare for another round of U.S.-brokered peace talks.
Key Facts
Leningrad regional Governor Aleksander Drozdenko said a Ukrainian drone hit the Kirishi refinery and caused a fire.
In Leningrad region, motorists face limits of 30 liters of gasoline and 50 liters of diesel per purchase, according to Drozdenko.
Russian media reported fuel-sale restrictions at Rosneft stations in Karelia, Krasnoyarsk, Zabaykalsky, Arkhangelsk, Penza, Novosibirsk and Buryatia.
The Kirishi refinery is operated by Surgutneftegaz and has an estimated capacity of up to 400,000 barrels of oil per day, according to U.S. energy officials cited in the article.
Ukraine says its strikes on Russian oil facilities respond to Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
Ukraine has claimed it put 15 of Russia's 38 main refineries out of operation and made another dozen reduce production.
Trackers cited in the article show Ukraine hit at least 29 Russian oil refineries in 2026.
Russia's diesel export ban is set to remain in place until the end of 2026, though some companies may be exempt under a deal with the United States, Reuters reported.
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Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and 6 months in prison after being convicted last week. The article says the convictions were for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Key Facts
Brand received a prison sentence of 10 years and 6 months.
The article says Brand was convicted last week.
The convictions included one count of rape.
The convictions included three counts of sexual assault.
The BBC programme was first shown on 9 November 2026.
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The article argues that uncorrected vision problems can keep children from learning, especially in low- and middle-income countries. It cites estimates of the scale and economic effects of the problem and describes school screenings, teacher training, community outreach, and affordable glasses as potential ways to address it.
Key Facts
UNESCO's 2026 Global Education Monitoring Report records 273 million children and young people out of school, with the figure rising for seven consecutive years.
Research by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and Seva Foundation estimates that 17.8 million children aged 5 to 17 have uncorrected refractive errors.
The same analysis estimates that uncorrected refractive errors among schoolchildren could lead to $173 billion in lost future productivity each year, measured in purchasing-power-parity terms.
One modeled scenario estimates that a child given glasses at age five and wearing them until age 18 could earn 78 percent more over a lifetime than a child whose vision remains uncorrected.
The article says children may not realize their vision is impaired, while parents may lack time or money to seek care and teachers may not know how to identify or refer students.
The article describes school-based vision screening, teacher training, community outreach, and affordable glasses and follow-up care as possible measures.
A 2026 UNESCO and World Bank study estimates benefit-cost ratios of 3.8 to 9.8 for school eye-health programs in Cambodia and Ghana.
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Polls ahead of Spain’s November 29 snap election put the conservative People’s Party (PP) ahead of Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s Socialists. The PP would need support from Vox to win a parliamentary majority, while the Socialists have gained some ground in several surveys.
Key Facts
The election will choose members of Spain’s 350-seat lower house.
A SocioMetrica poll projected about 200 seats combined for the PP and Vox, and 108 for the Socialists.
A 40dB poll put the PP’s lead over the Socialists at two percentage points and projected about 190 seats for the right-wing bloc.
A Sigma Dos poll projected 199 seats for the PP and Vox combined and 105 for the Socialists.
The campaign is expected to focus on housing, immigration and corruption, as well as the aftermath of a deadly train crash.
Sanchez called the snap election after right-wing parties rejected emergency housing legislation.
The Broad Front is projected to win 10 to 15 seats, while Podemos could lose its parliamentary representation.
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An internal EU assessment says a covert Russian network used social media to exploit riots in France and blame them on immigration, while portraying the French government as weak. The assessment found no evidence that Russia or other outside actors started or escalated the protests; it described their actions as exploiting the unrest.
Key Facts
The EU assessment covered activity from October 7 to 21 and was seen by Reuters.
The network, called Operation Overload, shared videos that impersonated Western media outlets and targeted French audiences.
Some posts falsely claimed migrants had raped protesters or that terrorist attacks were imminent.
A separate French foreign ministry assessment said accounts linked to Israel and the U.S. MAGA movement also promoted hostile narratives about the riots.
The French assessment found the 10 most-viewed X posts about the unrest from pro-Russian spheres received 2.8 million views from October 16 to 18.
The riots followed demonstrations against rising living costs and declining public services.
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An inquest heard that an electrical item connected to the mains probably started a fire at a home in Brimscombe, Gloucestershire, on 26 December 2025. Fionnghuala Shearman, 38, and her children, Eve, seven, and Ohner, four, died from exposure to fire products; the coroner ruled their deaths accidental.
Key Facts
The fire likely began in the living room and was probably caused by an electrical ignition source.
Emergency services were called at 03:12 GMT and found the house well alight.
Tom Shearman escaped and repeatedly tried to re-enter the house to reach his family.
Tom Shearman also helped a neighbour leave a nearby property.
The fire destroyed the roof, ceilings and stairs and caused major internal damage.
The coroner praised Tom Shearman's efforts to save his family.
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Mexican authorities arrested Rafael Alvarez, known as “R2,” a regional leader of a Jalisco New Generation Cartel cell wanted in the United States on federal drug and firearms charges. Officials said he was wounded during the operation, which also led to 19 other arrests, and that information from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration helped locate him.
Key Facts
Authorities identified Alvarez as a leader of a CJNG cell known as “Los Rs.”
The cell is linked to homicides, drug trafficking and extortion targeting people in the avocado industry.
Mexico’s Security Secretary Omar Garcia Harfuch said Alvarez was receiving medical care after a shootout during his arrest.
Harfuch said authorities arrested 19 other people in the operation.
The DEA said Alvarez was wanted in the United States on federal drug trafficking and firearms charges.
The Justice Department said Alvarez’s brother, Ramon Alvarez Ayala, known as “R1,” was arrested in Mexico earlier in 2026 on the same charges.
Authorities have linked Alvarez to the killing of Carlos Manzo, a mayor who was killed a year earlier.
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A gunman killed six people and wounded 15 in a weekend mass shooting in Krakow, Poland. Police shot and wounded the gunman; he died in hospital on Monday morning, police said.
Key Facts
The shooting took place in Krakow, Poland.
Six people were killed.
Fifteen people were wounded.
The shooting happened over the weekend.
Police shot and wounded the gunman.
The gunman died in hospital on Monday morning.
Police reported the gunman’s death.
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President Donald Trump said the United States had nearly cut Iran off from outside supplies, citing a new task force and a naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Analysts said Task Force Iron Gate is mainly an intelligence and coordination effort, and that it cannot seal Iran’s borders without cooperation from neighboring countries.
Key Facts
CENTCOM announced Task Force Iron Gate on Sunday.
The task force will focus on Iran’s land routes and the Caspian Sea.
CENTCOM says the unit will coordinate efforts to disrupt the movement of advanced weapons, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials and illegal revenue across Iran’s borders.
The task force is based in Tampa, Florida.
Analysts said the effort could use satellite images, drones, intercepted communications, financial intelligence and intelligence-sharing.
Analysts said disrupting Iranian supply networks would require regional cooperation and could involve sanctions, economic pressure or the use of force.
The article reports that US media have said Russia sent drone components and explosives to Iran through the Caspian Sea.
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A migrant boat sank off Senegal on Sunday, killing at least 39 people; one passenger was rescued and several others remain missing. Senegalese rights group ADHA called for a parliamentary inquiry, while President Bassirou Diomaye Faye offered condolences and pledged action against traffickers.
Key Facts
The boat left Saint-Louis in northern Senegal and was heading toward the Spanish coast.
It overturned off the Lompoul dunes, about 180km north of Dakar.
Emergency services raised the reported death toll from 21 to 34 and then to 39 as they found more bodies.
Senegal’s Interior and Public Security Ministry said the boat carried people seeking to migrate irregularly but did not say how many were aboard.
ADHA criticized the lack of lasting results from efforts to reduce migrant deaths and called for a parliamentary inquiry.
The rights group cited €300,000 announced for the Navy and training for more than 300 agents.
Walking Borders said 635 people died trying to reach Spain’s Canary Islands from West Africa during the first five months of the year.
El Hierro authorities said more than 3,300 people arrived on about 30 boats since the start of November.
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Prince Harry attended a Remembrance Sunday service in Brackley, England, standing with the crowd and paying his respects without seeking a formal role. King Charles and Prince William took part in the national ceremony at the Cenotaph in London.
Key Facts
Harry attended the Brackley service alone, according to the article.
The local Royal British Legion branch said Harry had not announced his attendance or requested special treatment.
The branch chairman thanked Harry for attending and said he regretted that photographs were published quickly.
King Charles led the royal family at the Cenotaph ceremony, where Prince William also laid a wreath.
Charles wore the uniform of Marshal of the Royal Air Force, and William wore the uniform of Lieutenant Colonel of the Blues and Royals.
Harry served on the front line in Afghanistan but, as a non-working royal, was not invited to join the main ceremony.
In 2020, the palace blocked a wreath Harry had arranged to be laid at the Cenotaph on his behalf.
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A jury found London civil servant Kashim Chowdhury guilty of nine fraud charges for concealing overlapping public-sector jobs. Prosecutors said he fraudulently received more than £284,000 in taxpayers’ money; the court heard that he held eight full-time roles between 2020 and 2023.
Key Facts
Chowdhury was convicted of eight counts of fraud by false representation and one count of fraud by failing to disclose information.
The jury reached its unanimous verdict after seven hours of deliberation.
Prosecutors said he gave inaccurate employment details on job applications and did not tell employers about his other roles.
Between 2020 and 2023, he held eight overlapping public-sector roles and earned £350,000 in total.
In spring 2023, he worked for several government departments and public agencies, including Defra, the Department of Health and Social Care, UKHSA, the Department for Business and Trade, the Food Standards Agency and the Home Office.
His combined contracts required 183 hours of work a week, according to the court.
Chowdhury worked from home after telling employers he was caring for his mother, who had dementia and terminal cancer.
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Hundreds of people gathered at a newly opened doner kebab shop in Dortmund, Germany, after its owner advertised kebabs for €1. Police said officers were attacked with bottles, stones, fireworks and other objects; several people were arrested and some face charges.
Key Facts
The shop owner estimated that about 1,000 people attended, while police put the crowd at about 300.
The owner called police after private security guards were overwhelmed by the crowd.
Police brought in about 100 officers and a helicopter to respond.
Officers were pelted with bottles, stones, fireworks, an electric scooter and a chair, a police spokesperson said.
Several people were arrested, and one had a blank-firing pistol.
Some people face charges including breach of the peace, property damage and insult.
The owner said he would donate the remaining kebabs to a homeless charity.
The €1 promotion contrasted with typical doner prices of about €7.50 to €9, which the article links to rising food and energy costs.
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The article reports that Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison after being convicted of rape and sexual assault. It says the convictions involved incidents in London between 2004 and 2009, and that the sentences would be served consecutively.
Key Facts
Brand was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court in London on Monday.
The article says prosecutors had sought a sentence of 10 to 15 years.
It reports a nine-year sentence for rape.
It lists three additional sentences: 18 months, nine months and eight months for sexual assaults.
The article says the sentences would be served consecutively.
The listed sentence lengths total 11 years and 11 months, which does not match the article’s stated total of 10 years and six months.
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Russell Brand was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison at Southwark Crown Court. The sentence followed his conviction for rape and three counts of sexual assault.
Key Facts
Mr Justice Bennathan passed sentence on Monday.
Brand received a prison term of 10 years and six months.
The convictions were for rape and three counts of sexual assault.
The judge described Brand as a “sexual predator.”
The judge said Brand had told a “series of lies” and shown “staggering arrogance.”
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Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said it struck three tankers near the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday. The IRGC said the vessels used unauthorised routes through the waterway in coordination with the U.S. military; one tanker caught fire.
Key Facts
The IRGC said it struck three tankers near the Strait of Hormuz.
The reported strikes took place on Sunday.
The IRGC accused the tankers of using unauthorised routes through the waterway.
The IRGC said the tankers coordinated with the U.S. military.
One oil tanker caught fire near the Strait of Hormuz.
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A Parole Board panel decided that Jon Venables should remain in prison after his latest review. Venables told the panel he was not seeking release and accepted that he needed further work in custody.
Key Facts
Venables and Robert Thompson murdered two-year-old James Bulger in 1993 after taking him from a shopping centre in Bootle, Merseyside.
Venables was released on licence in July 2001 and recalled to prison in February 2010 after indecent images of children were found on his computer.
He was released again in August 2013 and recalled in November 2017 for the same offence.
The latest review took place in private.
The panel heard evidence from probation officers, three psychologists and a psychiatrist; all but one recommended that Venables remain in prison.
The panel cited concerns about his work with probation staff and his honesty in supervision if released.
The panel said he needed further custody-based work to address his sexual interests and was not suitable for release.
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Leaked Russian death-certificate data reviewed by the Guardian records 412,576 deaths explicitly linked to the war in Ukraine. The full dataset could not be independently verified, and researchers say it likely understates Russian military deaths because some people remain missing or unrecorded and official records are delayed.
Key Facts
The dataset contains more than 11 million death certificates, including information about age, residence and place of death.
Two hacking groups said they obtained the data; Rosstat confirmed a hack but denied that sensitive information had leaked.
The reported 412,576 war-linked deaths were identified through cause-of-death codes or written references to combat and military operations.
British intelligence estimated about 500,000 Russian soldiers had been killed by September; independent outlet Mediazona has identified nearly 286,000 by name and estimates the true toll is closer to half a million.
Analyst Janis Kluge said official death records typically lag deaths by about six months and assessed the dataset as likely authentic.
War-related fatalities accounted for about a third of deaths among men aged 18 to 49 in Buryatia, Tuva and Zabaykalsky Krai from the invasion’s start to mid-2024, compared with about 10% in Moscow and St Petersburg.
The data indicates some of the deadliest months occurred in late 2024 and 2025, with several months exceeding 15,000 deaths, according to Kluge.
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A London jury found Russell Brand guilty of one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault, and a court sentenced him to 10 years and six months in prison. The charges involved four women and incidents between 2004 and 2009; Brand had pleaded not guilty.
Key Facts
Judge Joel Bennathan sentenced Brand on Monday in Southwark Crown Court in London.
The jury returned its guilty verdict on Nov. 5 after a weekslong trial.
Brand received nine years for rape and 35 months for the three sexual assault convictions; the sexual assault sentences run concurrently, and the rape sentence runs consecutively.
The case involved four women and incidents from 2004 to 2009.
Brand had faced seven charges involving six women and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Metropolitan Police said detectives began investigating Brand in 2023 after news outlets reported allegations.
The Crown Prosecution Service authorized additional charges against Brand in December 2025.
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A Southwark Crown Court judge sentenced Russell Brand to 10 and a half years in prison after a jury convicted him of rape and three sexual assaults. Brand was acquitted of two other rape counts and attempted indecent assault; he is expected to serve at least seven years in prison before serving the remainder under restrictions.
Key Facts
The jury found Brand guilty of raping a woman at his west London home in 2009.
The jury convicted Brand of groping a woman at a London bar in 2004 and sexually assaulting a woman at a London radio station in 2004 and 2005.
The court sentenced Brand to nine years for rape and 18 months for the sexual assaults.
Six women made allegations against Brand covering the period from 1999 to 2009.
The judge denied Brand bail after the verdict, and Brand remained in custody before sentencing.
Brand pleaded not guilty to all charges and was acquitted of two rape counts and an attempted indecent assault charge.
Police were investigating additional rape allegations made by two women, according to the article.
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