New Zealand’s governing National Party led the opposition Labour Party in early results from the November 7 general election, with 31.19 percent of the vote to Labour’s 28.35 percent. The Electoral Commission said the Opportunity Party would clear the 5 percent threshold to enter Parliament; preliminary results were expected on election night, with the final result due by November 27.
Key Facts
National received 31.19 percent of votes in the early results.
Labour received 28.35 percent of votes.
The Electoral Commission said the Opportunity Party would meet the 5 percent threshold for parliamentary representation.
Polling stations opened at 9 a.m. Saturday and closed at 7 p.m. local time.
The commission aimed to release preliminary results from 95 percent of polling stations by the end of election night.
The final result, including votes cast abroad, was expected by November 27.
New Zealand holds general elections every three years under a mixed-member proportional system.
Votes are counted by hand, and voters choose an electorate candidate and a political party.
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Paraguay’s Senate removed President Santiago Peña from office after the collapse of Ueno Bank froze customers’ savings. Authorities placed Peña under house arrest while he faces allegations including breach of trust and influence peddling; he denies wrongdoing.
Key Facts
All 44 senators present voted to remove Peña for misconduct in office.
Regulators seized Ueno Bank three days before Peña’s removal, after a solvency crisis froze customers’ savings.
The article says the crisis left nearly half of Paraguay’s 6 million people unable to access their savings.
Prosecutors ordered Peña to remain at his home in Asunción until he appears before them on Saturday.
Lawmakers accuse Peña of directing public funds to Ueno and allowing regulators to overlook risky insider lending.
Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president to serve until the term ends in August 2028.
Prosecutors also ordered the arrest of Carlos Carvallo, who ran the finance company that became Ueno; the article says it was unclear whether he had been detained.
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House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle said delays to Parliament’s restoration are frustrating and urged lawmakers to begin essential repairs sooner. The project could cost up to £40 billion and take as long as 61 years, while a vote on initial work may take place by the new year, though no date is set.
Key Facts
Hoyle said Parliament spends too much time conducting surveys instead of starting repairs.
Current legislation requires Parliament to approve the full scope and funding before major renovations can begin.
A Commons public accounts committee warned that the restoration had reached a critical point.
The committee said the project could cost up to £40 billion and take 61 years.
The committee estimated that each year of delay costs taxpayers £420 million.
The Palace has fire-safety concerns, high levels of asbestos, and aging wires and pipes.
A possible vote would consider up to £3 billion in initial work and narrow the restoration options.
One option would move MPs and peers out for up to 24 years from 2032; another would move only the House of Lords and could take 61 years.
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The article says Democrats’ congressional gains could strengthen Israel’s divided opposition’s efforts to replace Benjamin Netanyahu, who has closely aligned himself with Donald Trump and Republicans. It also describes concern that Israel’s ties with both parties are weakening, as incoming Democratic lawmakers call for respect for human rights and a Republican response raises the prospect of cutting U.S. military aid.
Key Facts
The article says Democrats swept Congress and that the result could increase pressure on Israel’s opposition to unite against Netanyahu.
Opposition politician Yair Lapid urged Israel to rebuild bipartisan ties in the United States and said incoming Democratic lawmakers were mainly opposed to Netanyahu.
Congressman-elect Brad Lander rejected Lapid’s proposed outreach tour and called for respect for international law and human rights.
Lander cited the reported arrest of Palestinian-Israeli journalist Abed Abu Shehada, whose lawyers said interrogators questioned him about a podcast interview.
Lander and two other incoming Jewish members of Congress wrote to Israel’s ambassador, urging Abu Shehada’s immediate release.
Vice-President JD Vance listed the U.S. relationship with Israel among reasons for voter anger, according to the article.
The article says Donald Trump pledged on election day to cut $4 billion in annual U.S. military aid to Israel, prompting concern in Israel’s defense establishment.
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Paraguayan authorities moved former President Santiago Pena to a military base for his protection after a tense day in Asuncion. Earlier, authorities had placed him under house arrest following the collapse of UENO bank.
Key Facts
Authorities moved Santiago Pena to a military base for his protection.
Pena is described in the article as a former president of Paraguay.
Authorities had placed Pena under house arrest earlier that day.
The reported events took place in Asuncion.
The article links the house arrest to the collapse of UENO bank.
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Israeli President Isaac Herzog is due to choose who gets the first chance to form a government after an October election produced no majority. Gadi Eisenkot received more lawmakers’ endorsements than Benjamin Netanyahu, but has ruled out bringing Arab-led parties into his government, leaving both potential coalitions uncertain.
Key Facts
The Knesset has 120 seats, and a majority government requires 61.
During consultations with Herzog, 67 lawmakers endorsed Eisenkot and 46 endorsed Netanyahu.
Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious alliance holds 53 seats; four Jewish-led parties backing Eisenkot hold 48; Arab-led parties hold 19.
Eisenkot has ruled out bringing the Arab-led parties into government, though they endorsed him during consultations.
United Torah Judaism withheld its endorsement of Netanyahu over the issue of military-service exemptions for ultra-Orthodox Israelis.
Shas endorsed Netanyahu, while United Torah Judaism signalled it might support Eisenkot under certain conditions.
Israeli law allows a government with fewer than 61 seats to take office if it wins a parliamentary confidence vote.
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Russian forces launched a missile attack on Kyiv, damaging residential buildings and a kindergarten, according to Ukrainian officials. Two people were injured, and officials warned residents that further strikes were possible.
Key Facts
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said Russian forces used ballistic missiles to strike infrastructure in the Kyiv suburbs.
Debris damaged a five-storey apartment building in western Kyiv and the facade of another residential building.
Kyiv’s military administration reported two people injured and damage to a building that houses a kindergarten.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had warned that Russia was preparing attacks on energy targets, bridges and other infrastructure.
Ukrainian officials said US-led talks involving Ukraine and Russia were scheduled to begin in Abu Dhabi three days after the attack.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine was seeking specific security guarantees from Western allies as part of post-war planning.
President Donald Trump said a Russia-Ukraine deal might be imminent after meeting Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev at the White House.
Ukraine’s Emergency Service said the death toll from a Russian bombing of an aid distribution point in the Zaporizhia region had risen to at least 50.
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Haiti’s National Police said gang leader Mathias Saintil died after being shot during a law enforcement operation. Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime welcomed the operation as Haiti faces widespread gang violence, displacement and a major humanitarian crisis.
Key Facts
Police identified Saintil as the leader of the Boston gang in Cité Soleil, near Port-au-Prince.
A police source said Saintil was hit by multiple bullets and died later in a hospital.
Fils-Aime said the fight to free the country from gangs would continue.
The United Nations estimates that gangs control as much as 90 percent of Port-au-Prince and that at least 26 gangs operate in and around the capital.
The UN estimates that 1.4 million people have been displaced across Haiti.
The UN reported 1,123 deaths and 440 injuries from violence between July and October; it also recorded 689 gang-involved rape cases between July and August.
A UN-backed Gang Suppression Force began arriving in Haiti in April, and its mandate was extended until March 2027.
El Salvador said it would send as many as 2,000 troops to Haiti after four Salvadoran aviation technicians involved in the force were kidnapped in October.
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The article reports cyberattacks on supermarket freezers and attempted interference with refrigerators at French blood banks, along with hoax bomb threats that disrupted European flights. It presents these incidents as part of broader hybrid threats and argues that governments and the public need stronger emergency-preparedness plans.
Key Facts
Supermarket freezers in several European countries were reportedly switched to heating mode, spoiling food worth millions of euros.
The article says some attacked Swedish stores had not connected their freezers to their retailers’ centrally protected systems.
Russian hacktivists claimed responsibility for some of the supermarket incidents, but the attackers’ identities remain unknown.
Hackers also reportedly tried to interfere with refrigerators at French blood banks.
Hoax bomb threats reportedly led airlines in Europe to divert flights, make emergency landings, or request fighter-jet escorts.
The article describes hybrid warfare as hostile actions that fall short of open military conflict, including cyberattacks, sabotage, and disinformation.
The UK launched a Be Ready campaign to give people emergency-preparedness advice; the article also cites preparedness programs in Sweden, Tokyo, and San Francisco.
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The article argues that climate negotiations face an impasse a decade after the Paris Agreement, as countries’ emissions plans and pledges have not kept global warming within the treaty’s 1.5°C goal. It points to slow negotiations, consensus rules that allow countries to block action, limited progress on fossil fuels, and gaps between climate commitments and national policies.
Key Facts
The Paris Agreement was signed in 2015 and entered into force in 2016.
The article says global temperatures exceeded 1.5°C above preindustrial levels for two years.
The UN’s most optimistic estimate cited in the article projects about 1.7°C to 1.8°C of warming.
Brazil’s hosts excluded national emissions plans from negotiation at the 2025 climate summit in Belém.
The Belém summit ended with a deal, though the article says few participants supported it.
Countries agreed at the 2023 Dubai summit to transition away from fossil fuels, but set no timeline or supporting policies.
The United States has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump; the article says the country produces about one-eighth of current carbon dioxide emissions.
The article cites fossil fuel and climate policy decisions in Australia, Turkey, the UK and Germany as examples of a gap between climate pledges and policy.
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The U.S. Treasury sanctioned eight currency-exchange businesses in Ontario and British Columbia, accusing them of helping Iranian entities evade sanctions. The measures block the firms from the U.S. financial system, while a separate FinCEN order bars U.S. financial institutions from processing transfers involving MEXC Global.
Key Facts
The Treasury announced the sanctions as part of an initiative it calls Operation Economic Outcast.
The eight named businesses include Million Exchange, Amin Exchange, Cryptoyal and Darvish Exchange.
The Treasury said some businesses converted Iranian rials and other currencies into digital assets and laundered proceeds.
The sanctions freeze any assets the firms hold in the United States and prohibit transactions with U.S. people or entities.
Canada's FINTRAC said it worked with the U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network on the measures.
FinCEN said MEXC Global facilitated at least $16 billion in illicit transactions linked to Iran, North Korea, Russia and other sanctioned actors.
The Treasury said its broader campaign aims to cut off financial support for Iran's government and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
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President Donald Trump confirmed that U.S. forces struck Iranian air-defense systems on Qeshm Island, describing the attacks as limited. Iranian state media reported missile strikes and said Iran had downed a U.S. drone, while U.S. Central Command said it was aware of the reports and described the situation as relatively calm. Trump said talks with Iran had made progress, and Qatar rejected reports that negotiations had failed.
Key Facts
Trump said U.S. forces knocked out an Iranian air-defense system on Qeshm Island.
Iranian state media reported two missile strikes in the Suza area of Qeshm Island.
Iran’s army said its air defenses intercepted and destroyed a U.S. MQ-9 drone over the island.
U.S. Central Command said it was aware of reports of explosions and described the situation as relatively calm.
CENTCOM offered up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear program and related people or assets.
Trump said his administration was speaking with Iranian representatives and that talks had made progress, without giving details.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson rejected claims that U.S.-Iran negotiations had failed.
The article says the strikes followed Tuesday’s U.S. midterm elections and came amid changing U.S. statements about the war.
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Donald Trump said the US carried out limited strikes on Iran on Friday, targeting an air-defense system. Iranian state media reported two explosions on Qeshm Island, while US officials and regional leaders continued diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and end the war.
Key Facts
Trump described Friday’s strikes as “minor” and said US forces destroyed an Iranian anti-aircraft device.
Iranian state media reported two explosions in the Suza area of Qeshm Island, near the Strait of Hormuz.
The US military had reported carrying out what it called defensive strikes on Monday in areas near Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas.
The article says the war began in February and has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for oil shipments.
Trump said discussions with Iran were continuing, while differences over Iran’s nuclear program remained a major issue in negotiations.
US Central Command offered up to $20 million and possible relocation for information about Iran’s nuclear program.
Qatar said its emir and Trump discussed efforts to reduce tensions, and Qatar’s defense minister spoke with US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
The strikes came days after Trump’s Republican Party lost ground in US midterm elections, amid voter concerns about the Iran war and higher fuel prices.
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Ping Ping and Fu Shuang, two giant pandas loaned by China, made their public debut at Zoo Atlanta on November 6, 2026. The zoo will host the pair for 10 years as part of China’s panda-loan program, which has helped build ties with other countries.
Key Facts
The male Ping Ping and female Fu Shuang arrived from Chengdu in September on a FedEx flight.
Both pandas were born in 2020, and the zoo hopes they may become mates.
Zoo Atlanta renovated its panda habitat, prepared animal-care staff, and arranged a long-term supply of locally grown bamboo.
Atlanta previously hosted pandas from China beginning in 1999; seven cubs were born there, and the zoo had no pandas after 2024.
China’s panda-loan program is often called panda diplomacy and is intended to foster foreign ties.
Giant pandas are listed as vulnerable, and an estimated 1,800 live in the wild.
The article says wild pandas face threats including habitat loss and poaching.
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The Leonid meteor shower will be visible across the UK during November, with its peak expected on the night of 17 November. Forecasters expect cloud and possible fog to limit viewing in some areas this weekend, while conditions may be better near the peak.
Key Facts
The Leonid shower runs through 30 November and is expected to peak on 17 November.
At peak, observers may see about 10 to 15 meteors per hour.
The meteors come from debris shed by Comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.
Leonid particles enter Earth’s atmosphere at up to 71 kilometres per second, making them among the fastest meteors.
The meteors can be seen with the naked eye from a safe, dark location away from artificial lights.
The shower’s radiant, where the meteors seem to originate, is near the head of the constellation Leo.
Cloud is forecast in many parts of the UK this weekend; southern and western England and Wales may have the best chances of clear skies on Friday and Saturday.
Near the shower’s peak, the Moon will be below the horizon around midnight, reducing its light in the sky.
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British rapper Skepta has released The Fork and Knife, his first album since 2019. The album draws on his experience as the British-born son of Nigerian immigrants and addresses immigration, racism, Brexit and multiculturalism.
Key Facts
The Fork and Knife is Skepta’s sixth album.
Skepta, whose full name is Joseph Olaitan Adenuga Jr, was born and raised in Tottenham, north London.
His parents immigrated from Nigeria during the country’s civil war.
Skepta said he wanted the album to show what can happen when an immigrant child gets an opportunity.
The album includes Innocent Smile, featuring Chase and Status and Madness singer Suggs.
Skepta said it took six years to make the album and that he wanted to avoid being insensitive.
In 2024, Skepta removed artwork for his single Gas Me Up (Diligent) after allegations that it referenced the Holocaust.
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Paraguay’s Congress impeached President Santiago Peña, and authorities placed him under house arrest as prosecutors investigate alleged illicit enrichment, money laundering and influence-peddling. The crisis followed the suspension of Ueno Bank, which left about 2.9 million customers unable to access their accounts; Vice-President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as president.
Key Facts
Ueno Bank was suspended after authorities found irregularities, freezing the accounts of about 2.9 million people, or roughly 60% of Paraguay’s adult population.
Protests spread across Paraguay, and some involved clashes with police.
Prosecutors opened an investigation into Peña on Thursday and issued an arrest warrant that also includes former Ueno chief executive Carlos Carvallo Spalding.
Peña appointed Spalding to lead Paraguay’s central bank; three months later, Spalding approved Ueno’s conversion into a digital bank.
Peña held about $1 million in shares in a company that later became Ueno Holding and sold them in April 2025.
An estimated $800 million to $860 million in state and pension funds was invested in Ueno.
Vice-President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as Paraguay’s new president after Peña’s impeachment.
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The European Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating possible fraud involving EU funds for safety and communications upgrades on Spain’s Madrid-Seville high-speed rail line. The probe follows a fatal October 28 crash in Toledo that killed at least 69 people; Spanish rail officials have resigned, and the cause of the crash has not been established in the article.
Key Facts
The EPPO conducted investigative measures at Spain’s railway infrastructure manager, rail safety agency and Court of Auditors.
The investigation concerns possible fraud in EU funding for upgrades to safety, signaling and communications systems on the Madrid-Seville line.
Spain’s railway infrastructure manager, Adif, confirmed the EPPO visit and said it provided requested information.
The October 28 collision in Urda, Toledo province, killed at least 69 people.
The EPPO had opened a separate investigation after a January crash in Adamuz killed 46 people; the article gives no update on that probe.
Transport Minister Oscar Puente resigned, and Adif President Luis Pedro Marco de la Pena also stepped down.
Spain asked the European Union Agency for Railways to assist with the national investigation into the crash.
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Pope Leo began a 12-day trip to South America, with Uruguay as his first stop. The trip follows lung cancer surgery several weeks ago and is expected to cover about 19,000 miles.
Key Facts
Uruguay is the first stop on Pope Leo’s South America trip.
The trip is scheduled to last 12 days.
The itinerary covers roughly 19,000 miles.
Pope Leo underwent lung cancer surgery several weeks before the trip.
CBS News reported on the trip and its itinerary.
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Somali tour guide Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader takes visitors around Mogadishu’s beaches, markets, historic sites and food spots to show a side of the city beyond its reputation for conflict. She works with her father and other guides, and uses social media to attract visitors, though safety concerns and low, seasonal demand remain challenges.
Key Facts
Sucdi Abdul Fattah Abdul Khader is 23 and began guiding tours nearly three years ago.
Her tours include Jazeera beach, nearby sand dunes, the fish market and historic parts of Mogadishu.
Visitors can learn about the city’s Indian Ocean trade history and its Ottoman and Italian influences.
Sucdi shares tour videos on TikTok and is considering making content in English.
She says having five tourists a week is considered a success, and visitor numbers are seasonal.
Mogadishu has changed since al-Shabab withdrew from most of the city in 2011 and Somalia established a federal government in 2012.
Somalia’s tourism department reported about 10,000 tourists in 2024, up 50% from 2023.
Visitors continue to ask about safety, while insecurity and the effects of conflict remain part of life in Mogadishu.
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