UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was told that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum. His statement has renewed attention on the issue, which had not been fully explored officially before.
Key Facts
Andy Burnham stated he received a clear answer that Russia interfered in the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Burnham did not specify the source or details of this information.
Previous UK government investigations found no evidence of successful Russian interference in UK democratic processes.
Parliament's intelligence and security committee criticized UK agencies for not focusing enough on the Russian threat.
Russian state-linked online accounts and media outlets like RT and Sputnik promoted pro-Brexit content before the vote.
Estimates of pro-Russian social media accounts involved vary greatly, from dozens to over 100,000.
A donor to the pro-Brexit campaign, Arron Banks, had meetings with the Russian ambassador and was linked to a financial investigation.
There was no comprehensive official inquiry into Russian interference at the time, partly due to lack of government interest.
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Saudi Arabia is investigating why its air defense systems did not stop missile and drone attacks by Houthi rebels on Riyadh airport. The attack killed at least 13 people and injured over 300, with initial findings showing a complex attack using drones followed by different types of missiles.
Key Facts
Saudi Arabia is probing the failure of its air defenses during an attack on Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
The attack was carried out by Houthi rebels from Yemen, who are supported by Iran.
At least 13 people died and more than 300 were wounded in the attack.
The Houthis used drones first, then fired cruise and ballistic missiles.
Ballistic missiles are rockets that travel on a high arc and can carry explosives.
Some Houthi missiles have warheads that can change direction while flying, which makes them harder to shoot down.
Saudi Arabia uses Patriot missile defense systems to defend against such attacks.
The investigation aims to understand why these defense systems did not stop the missiles and drones.
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Nepal experienced new flash floods that swept away more than 200 houses and five bridges along the Budhi Gandaki River. Rescuers are searching for five people who went missing after the floods, as the country is still recovering from a deadly glacial collapse in August that caused massive flooding and many deaths.
Key Facts
Fresh flash floods hit central Nepal along the Budhi Gandaki River.
More than 200 houses and five bridges were destroyed.
Rescuers are searching for five people missing after the floods.
The floods come while Nepal is still recovering from an August 26 disaster.
The August disaster involved a mountain glacier collapse that triggered floods.
The August floods killed over 1,400 people and left more than 5,000 missing.
Nepal faces ongoing challenges in recovery from these natural disasters.
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Meghan Markle is preparing for her first public visit in the UK in four years, following Prince Harry's appearance where he was reportedly booed at a rugby match. The couple’s visit includes community and youth projects in Nottingham, marking their first joint public outing in England since moving back from California.
Key Facts
Meghan Markle has not had a formal public appearance in the UK since 2022.
Prince Harry was reportedly booed at a rugby game between Leicester and Gloucester, though some say the booing may have targeted the referee.
Meghan and Harry moved from California back to England in August 2025.
Their joint visit includes stops at Hubb Community Kitchen, a mosque volunteer group, a youth music project, and a youth mentoring and sports project.
Meghan’s last UK public appearances in 2022 included Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the Platinum Jubilee.
In the past, crowds have booed the couple at UK events, showing mixed public reactions.
Harry is a lifelong rugby fan and patron of the English rugby governing bodies.
There is uncertainty if Meghan will face criticism from online or public critics during this visit.
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Pope Leo XIV will have surgery to remove a small lung nodule after it was found during medical tests. The surgery will take place at Rome’s Gemelli Hospital, and he will stay there for about a week to recover.
Key Facts
Pope Leo XIV is 71 years old and the first American pope.
The lung nodule was found early and is small, less than 1 inch in size.
The pope announced the news publicly during his Sunday prayer.
Surgery is planned to remove the nodule, following doctors' advice.
Recovery in the hospital is expected to last about one week.
The Vatican denied reports that inflammation caused the medical tests.
The pope continued his normal public duties despite the upcoming surgery.
It is unclear if the surgery will affect his planned trip to Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru in November.
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Hundreds of French supermarkets were hit by a cyber attack that made their fridges and freezers heat up, spoiling millions of euros worth of food. Authorities have opened an investigation, and major supermarket chains were among those affected.
Key Facts
Hackers took control of software that controls the temperature of supermarket fridges and freezers.
Some refrigeration units were heated to 50°C (120°F) overnight, causing food spoilage.
Over 100 Coopérative U stores and at least 300 Intermarché and Netto stores were affected.
Food spoiled in these stores had to be thrown away to avoid health risks.
Two stores in the Alsace region reported losses alone of about €270,000.
The Paris prosecutor’s office calls this a large-scale cyber attack on major French food retailers.
Other supermarket chains like Carrefour, E.Leclerc, and Monoprix may also have been affected.
Food security officials warned this attack shows the weaponization of food is now a real threat.
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Iran has offered to help start talks between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Houthi group after deadly attacks on Saudi Arabia. Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers recently spoke to discuss ways to reduce tensions in the region amid ongoing conflict in Yemen.
Key Facts
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, marking their first public contact since recent attacks by the Houthis.
The Houthis, an armed group in Yemen aligned with Iran, launched missile attacks on Riyadh’s airport that killed 14 people and wounded hundreds.
Iran supports the Houthis but does not control their decisions.
Iran offered to mediate talks between Saudi Arabia and Yemen to find a political solution and prevent further military conflict.
Saudi Arabia leads a coalition backing Yemen’s government against the Houthis since 2015.
Fighting has increased after Saudi-backed forces launched Operation Dawn of Yemen to regain territory from the Houthis.
The Bab al-Mandeb strait, a key shipping route, is a strategic focus of recent fighting.
Iran says it wants to avoid continued hostilities between Muslim countries and sees negotiation as better than war.
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Iran has announced plans to disrupt an oil transfer system in the Strait of Hormuz used by the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to export energy despite Iranian attacks and sanctions. Iran’s security chief warned that these operations are illegal under Iran’s control of the strait and threatened military and cyber attacks on related infrastructure.
Key Facts
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical waterway where about 20% of the world’s oil and gas passed before the recent conflict.
The US Navy helped set up a shuttle system using smaller ships to transfer oil to larger tankers, allowing Gulf states to export oil despite Iranian attacks.
Iran’s security chief, Mohsen Rezaei, said Iran has been attacking vessels involved in this transfer system for weeks.
Iran claims the strait is under its control and accuses the US and UAE of illegal oil smuggling.
Iran threatened to target digital infrastructure such as cables, data centers, and AI facilities linked to the US near the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps previously threatened tankers in Kuwait and Bahrain due to their US military ties.
Tehran demands all its conditions be met before agreeing to reopen the Strait fully and end the conflict with the US and Israel.
The transfer system uses very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and smaller vessels, sometimes operating at night and turning off ship signals to avoid attacks.
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Reform UK has proposed a plan to deport 90,000 asylum seekers immediately, including children and mothers, and to ban asylum grants for five years. The plan would also reject new claims automatically, use strict border controls, and impose penalties on countries that refuse to take back deportees.
Key Facts
Reform UK wants to deport 90,000 asylum seekers right away, with no exceptions for children or mothers.
The party proposes a five-year ban on granting asylum to new applicants.
People who fail their asylum claims would be sent back to their home country or a safe third country.
Countries refusing to accept returned asylum seekers could face tariffs, visa bans, or airspace restrictions.
Reform UK would review and possibly revoke asylum status granted since 2024 for those from countries it deems safe.
The policy includes using data like utility usage and neighbor complaints to identify people for deportation.
Refugee charities say the plan could cause disorder and harm Britain’s tradition of protecting war victims.
Labour and other groups criticized the plan, calling it extreme and unworkable.
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SARAB is a music band made up of Franco-Syrian members who combine punk rock with Arabic music. Their latest album, "Mit Warde – Cent Roses," honors people who have suffered in wars, especially in Syria and Gaza.
Key Facts
SARAB is a five-member band with French and Syrian backgrounds.
Their style mixes punk rock guitar riffs with traditional Arabic sounds.
The band's lyrics focus on social issues and war victims.
Their new album is called "Mit Warde – Cent Roses."
The album pays tribute to victims of wars around the world, including in Gaza and Syria.
SARAB is currently touring to promote this album.
The band’s name means "mirage" in Arabic.
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The Yemen-based Houthi group has carried out multiple attacks on several Saudi airports, killing and injuring people and disrupting air travel. These attacks come after the collapse of a ceasefire and increased fighting between the Houthis, who are backed by Iran, and Yemeni government forces supported by Saudi Arabia.
Key Facts
The Houthis attacked King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh, killing one person and injuring several others.
Other targeted Saudi airports include King Fahd International Airport (Dammam), Abha International Airport, King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz International Airport (Jazan), and Najran Airport.
Yemeni government forces, supported by Saudi Arabia, have also attacked Houthi-held airports in Sanaa, Yemen’s capital.
The Houthis control Sanaa and parts of northwestern Yemen since 2014.
Fighting is ongoing around Mocha and Dhubab, two strategic cities on Yemen’s Red Sea coast.
Saudi Arabia suspended flights at Riyadh’s airport after the attacks, and airlines like Lufthansa and Air France-KLM canceled or delayed flights.
The UK, France, and Germany advised their citizens to avoid Riyadh due to safety concerns.
Despite the attacks, major Saudi energy and investment conferences are continuing as planned.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that Russia kept attacking Ukraine’s energy sites, despite President Trump’s announcement of an energy ceasefire between the countries. Russia targeted a power plant in Kharkiv and other energy facilities even after the ceasefire was said to be in effect.
Key Facts
President Zelensky said Russia continued to attack Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Russia struck a thermal power plant located in Kharkiv.
Other energy facilities in Ukraine were also targeted by Russia.
President Trump announced an energy ceasefire agreement had been reached between Russia and Ukraine.
The ceasefire declaration was made on Sunday, but attacks continued after that.
The attacks affected power supplies important for heating and electricity.
The situation highlights ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine despite reported agreements.
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South Africa's deputy police chief, Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya, resigned after being charged with sexual offences, including grooming a minor and rape. He denies the charges and has been held in custody since his arrest three weeks ago.
Key Facts
Lt Gen Shadrack Sibiya was charged with sexually grooming a 16-year-old girl and raping an 18-year-old woman.
He also faces a charge of trafficking.
Sibiya denies the charges and says his sexual encounter with the 18-year-old was consensual.
He resigned during his disciplinary hearing while still in custody.
His resignation is considered a dishonourable discharge from the police force.
The case is happening amid a larger public inquiry into police corruption and links with criminals in South Africa.
The inquiry has heard claims that Sibiya received expensive gifts from a crime figure in return for a police contract, which he denies.
The inquiry, called the Madlanga Commission, started in September 2025.
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Actor Joe Manganiello talked about his long struggle with a unknown illness during an interview on CBS Mornings. He also shared how this health problem affected his work and personal life, which he wrote about in his upcoming book called "Bloodlines: A Memoir."
Key Facts
Joe Manganiello is an actor who has faced a health issue for several years.
The illness is described as a mystery, meaning doctors have not clearly identified it.
He appeared on CBS Mornings to discuss his experience.
Manganiello explained how the illness impacted his relationships.
The illness also affected his career as an actor.
He is releasing a book titled "Bloodlines: A Memoir" that talks about his journey with this health challenge.
The interview and book aim to raise awareness about dealing with chronic or unexplained illnesses.
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The European Union has warned online platforms not to livestream the planned execution of Nidal Hasan, a US Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 people in 2009. The execution by firing squad is scheduled for December 3, 2026, and while US officials have proposed broadcasting it, EU rules require platforms to block violent content like executions.
Key Facts
Nidal Hasan is scheduled for execution on December 3, 2026, for a 2009 mass shooting at a US military base.
The US Pentagon and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth plan to livestream Hasan’s execution by firing squad.
The EU told digital platforms they must follow rules banning shocking and violent content such as executions.
Platforms like Meta, X (formerly Twitter), and TikTok forbid livestreaming executions or violent content under their policies.
The EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) allows Europe to enforce content rules if platforms do not comply.
EU officials said they will ensure companies follow these rules within Europe.
The US government under President Trump has criticized the DSA as foreign censorship, which the EU denies.
There is uncertainty whether the execution broadcast will happen publicly in the US.
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A man died after he jumped into the Siberian tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England. Authorities are investigating the incident to understand what happened.
Key Facts
The man entered the tiger enclosure at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in England.
He died after coming into contact with the Siberian tigers.
The incident took place over the weekend.
Police and park officials are searching for answers about why and how it happened.
The news includes a warning about graphic video footage related to the event.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is known for housing large wild animals like Siberian tigers.
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Freshwater turtles rescued from a dried-up water hole in western New South Wales are being returned after the government restored water flows to the area. Scientists also collected and incubated 281 turtle eggs to help boost the turtle population in the wild.
Key Facts
Ten broad-shelled turtles and three Murray River turtles were released back into the Gingham water hole in NSW’s Gwydir region.
The water hole dried up after the government stopped environmental water flows following a complaint from a private landowner.
Environmental flows are water releases from dams or rivers to keep ecosystems healthy.
Scientists rescued 39 turtles, of which 37 were healthy and 2 were euthanized due to poor condition.
Turtle eggs (281 in total) were collected and incubated at Taronga Zoo in Dubbo, with hatchlings expected early next year.
The government passed legislation protecting WaterNSW from legal claims regarding environmental water deliveries.
The Gingham water hole has been refilled, and more turtles are expected to be released later this year.
Conservation staff view this as a successful effort to save and restore the turtle population after the crisis.
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Australia’s online safety regulator, Julie Inman Grant, has some legal powers to block Australians from watching a planned livestream of a US military execution. However, past cases show that some social media platforms may fight these restrictions, which could cause public disagreements and diplomatic problems between Australia and the US.
Key Facts
The US plans to livestream the execution of Fort Hood shooter Nidal Hasan in early December.
Australia’s eSafety commissioner can order platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and X to block content classified as “refused classification” under Australian law.
This classification is typically used for very violent content, like terror attacks.
Some platforms, such as Meta, may block the video on their own, but others, like X (owned by Elon Musk), often resist removal orders.
X has previously won legal cases to keep violent videos online or reduce their classification in Australia.
The eSafety commissioner can also order internet providers such as Telstra and Optus to block websites hosting violent material but has not used this power yet.
Using these powers to block the US execution livestream could cause political and diplomatic tensions.
The regulator might also seek penalties against platforms that fail to remove violent content.
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Tran Hiep, an Australian democracy campaigner, was detained in Vietnam in September on charges of terrorism and forging documents. His wife reports that he has been held in a harsh detention center, and Australian officials are providing help but have limited public information about his case.
Key Facts
Tran Hiep was arrested in Vietnam after crossing from Cambodia in mid-September.
Vietnamese authorities accuse him of terrorism and forging identity papers.
He has been held at B34 pre-trial detention center in Ho Chi Minh City, known for alleged human rights abuses.
Hiep is linked by Vietnam to Viet Tan, a pro-democracy group labeled a terrorist organization by the Vietnamese government but recognized as lawful in countries like Australia.
Another activist, Nguyen Duc Thuan, with a Norwegian passport, and a third person were also arrested around the same time.
Cambodia denies involvement in the arrests of the three men.
Australian foreign affairs officials have made private efforts to assist Hiep but have not disclosed detailed information publicly.
Human rights groups say Hiep’s arrest may have involved being taken from Cambodia to Vietnam against international law and express concern over the worsening human rights situation in Vietnam.
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