The UK will extend the usual wait for permanent residency from five to 10 years for most foreign workers under rules planned to take effect next year. The changes include faster routes for some higher earners and exemptions for qualifying care workers, while refugees’ waiting periods will depend on how they entered the country and other conditions.
Key Facts
Most foreign workers will need to wait 10 years to qualify for permanent residency; the rules will also apply to workers already in the UK.
Applicants earning more than £50,000 a year can apply after five years, while those earning more than £125,000 can apply after three years.
Care workers can qualify after five years if they meet visa conditions and earn at least £25,000 a year.
Refugees arriving through designated safe and legal routes can settle after five years; other refugees face a standard 20-year wait, shortened to 10 years for those who work or study.
People who arrive by an “illegal method,” including by small boat, could wait up to 30 years to settle.
Applicants can be disqualified for a criminal record, insufficient English, government debt or fewer than three years of national insurance contributions.
The government estimates that up to 1.4 million people will receive settled status from 2026 to 2030, and says about half a million will settle later than they otherwise would have.
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Australia’s first public register of parliamentary access passes lists MPs sponsoring lobbyists and private groups, including major energy, mining and gambling interests. The release covers only a small share of existing passes, and more than 1,000 applications remain unprocessed, leaving much of the access undisclosed.
Key Facts
New rules require MPs who sponsor lobbyists and other private interests for Parliament House access passes to be named on a public register.
Woodside Energy has three listed access cards sponsored by Labor and Coalition MPs.
The Minerals Council of Australia has passes sponsored by MPs from both major parties.
ConocoPhillips, Australian Energy Producers and Alinta Energy also have access sponsored by MPs.
Responsible Wagering Australia, which represents bet365, Sportsbet and Betfair, has two passes sponsored by Labor MP Raff Ciccone and Coalition MP Anne Ruston.
The register also lists passes for lobby groups and other organisations, including the Pharmacy Guild and the Australian Peace and Security Forum.
More than 1,000 pass applications are awaiting processing, and campaigners say the disclosure covers about 10% of existing passes.
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Israeli forces arrested Al Jazeera Arabic correspondent Montaser Nassar during a raid on his home in Dura, near Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. Sources said more than 13 Palestinians were detained in Dura and taken to an undisclosed location.
Key Facts
Nassar was arrested early Tuesday at his home in Dura.
Video showed Nassar blindfolded and handcuffed as Israeli forces led him to a military vehicle.
Sources said more than 13 Palestinians were detained in Dura on Tuesday.
Authorities took those detained to an undisclosed location.
Israeli forces had also assaulted Nassar and his cameraman in Dura on December 29, 2023.
The earlier assault caused bruising, according to the article.
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Reddit argued in Australia’s High Court that the country’s under-16 social media ban was rushed through in 2024 and restricts young people’s political communication. The government says the ban addresses risks to young people’s health; the court is considering whether those risks justify the limits.
Key Facts
Reddit challenges the ban on the ground that it limits the implied freedom of political communication for people under 16.
Reddit’s lawyer said the legislation passed within a week in 2024, after just 24 hours for submissions.
The ban took effect in December 2025, according to the article.
More than 5 million accounts believed by platforms to belong to under-16s have been suspended or deactivated across 10 platforms.
Platforms covered include Reddit, Snapchat, TikTok, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, Kick, X, Twitch and Threads.
Reddit says under-16s can view subreddit content without accounts but cannot post, comment or upvote.
The government cites risks including mental health, sleep and eating disorder problems as grounds for the ban.
The Digital Freedom Project is also challenging the ban in the High Court.
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Hundreds of garment factories in Bangladesh have closed during protests over wages, with about 670 suspending operations on Monday. Workers are seeking a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, more than double the current standard, as demonstrations and clashes with police continued in Dhaka and nearby manufacturing areas.
Key Facts
Workers are demanding a minimum monthly wage of 30,000 taka, compared with current pay of about 13,000 taka for many garment workers.
Protests in Dhaka turned violent on Sunday, with road blockades, factory vandalism, vehicle fires and clashes with police.
Police said at least 29 protesters had been arrested by Monday.
About 670 factories suspended operations on Monday, and hundreds were expected to remain closed on Tuesday.
The government established a board to review wages and held an emergency meeting to address the unrest.
Bangladesh's garment sector employs about four million people and generates nearly $40 billion a year, around 10% of the country's GDP.
Bangladesh is the world's second-largest garment exporter after China, supplying brands including H&M, Primark and Uniqlo.
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Israeli soldiers arrested Al Jazeera correspondent Montaser Nassar during a raid on his home in Dura, south of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank. Soldiers blindfolded and handcuffed him.
Key Facts
Israeli soldiers arrested Al Jazeera correspondent Montaser Nassar.
The arrest took place during a raid on Nassar’s home.
Nassar’s home is in Dura, south of Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.
Soldiers blindfolded and handcuffed Nassar.
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Two U.S. officials said the United States carried out limited airstrikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday. One official said the strikes responded to an Iranian attack on a U.S. aircraft and did not mark a return to major combat operations.
Key Facts
The strikes took place on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz.
U.S. officials described the airstrikes as limited and defensive.
One official said the strikes followed an Iranian attack on a U.S. aircraft.
Iran claimed it had shot down two RQ-170 reconnaissance drones; a U.S. official said the claim was false.
Iranian state media later reported hearing several explosions on Qeshm Island.
An official said Iran had increased attacks on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz in recent weeks.
U.S. Central Command did not respond to ABC News’ request for comment.
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U.S. officials told CBS that the United States struck Iran’s Qeshm Island after Iran’s Revolutionary Guard fired on a U.S. aircraft. The officials called the strikes limited; the report says the attacks came ahead of U.S. midterm elections as President Donald Trump faced pressure to end the war and Iran said talks through mediators were underway.
Key Facts
Iranian state news agency IRNA reported explosions on Qeshm Island on Monday.
U.S. officials said the strikes responded to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps firing on a U.S. aircraft.
The officials described the strikes as limited.
The strikes came ahead of U.S. midterm elections, which will decide control of Congress.
Trump said he was in no rush to intensify strikes on Iran.
Trump said the United States might target Pickaxe, a site linked to Iran’s nuclear program.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said intensive talks with the United States were underway through mediators.
Araghchi said Iran was prepared for diplomatic and military scenarios.
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U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff said the United States will mediate working-level peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia in Abu Dhabi on November 10–11. He said the talks would advance President Donald Trump’s effort to end the war.
Key Facts
Steve Witkoff announced the planned negotiations.
The United States will mediate the talks, according to Witkoff.
Ukraine and Russia are expected to take part.
The talks are scheduled for November 10–11.
The negotiations will take place in Abu Dhabi.
Witkoff described the discussions as working-level negotiations.
Witkoff said the talks would advance President Donald Trump’s mission to end the war.
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A jury in a New South Wales Supreme Court trial heard voice notes Beau Lamarre-Condon sent in February 2024 to a man he had met on a dating app. Lamarre-Condon is accused of murdering Jesse Baird and Luke Davies; he has pleaded not guilty and says through his defence that the men were shot accidentally during struggles in which he acted in self-defence.
Key Facts
Lamarre-Condon, 31, is charged with two counts of murder and aggravated break and enter.
Prosecutors allege he fatally shot Baird and Davies with his police service weapon at Baird’s Paddington home on 19 February 2024.
A man who had casually dated Lamarre-Condon told the court they were not in a formal relationship.
In a voice note sent on 20 February, Lamarre-Condon said he had been sick, had surgery planned and was trying to get into a positive mindset.
Lamarre-Condon told the man he planned to cancel a boat party and said his plans depended on the surgery’s result.
In a voice note sent around midnight on 21 February, Lamarre-Condon said he had shut down his social media to take a mental break.
The jury had previously heard that Lamarre-Condon underwent minor surgery at St Vincent’s hospital on 21 February.
The defence says the shootings happened accidentally during separate struggles and that Lamarre-Condon acted in self-defence.
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U.S. media reported that the United States carried out limited, defensive strikes on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, targeting air-defense missiles, though U.S. Central Command had not commented and Iranian reports said the cause of explosions was unclear. The reported strikes came as Vice-President JD Vance and President Donald Trump expressed optimism about a possible negotiated settlement, while Iran continued to restrict shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Key Facts
The Wall Street Journal first reported the strikes, and Reuters and the Associated Press reported that they targeted surface-to-air missiles used against U.S. assets.
Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island on Monday evening but said their cause was unclear.
U.S. Central Command had not immediately responded to a request for comment.
The Wall Street Journal said the reported strikes were part of recent attacks that had not been publicly disclosed.
Qeshm Island lies near the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz and has been used to launch attacks on shipping, according to the article.
Iran continued to enforce the strait's closure by targeting vessels attempting to pass through it, the article said.
JD Vance said he and Trump saw potential for a negotiated settlement and that progress had been made.
Trump said there was a good chance of a deal and highlighted falling oil prices ahead of the U.S. midterm elections.
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A U.S. official told The Associated Press that the United States carried out limited defensive strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz. The strikes came as Washington and Tehran pursue negotiations, while regional officials said Israel's prime minister has urged President Donald Trump to consider a broader campaign.
Key Facts
The U.S. official said the strikes targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets.
Iranian state television reported explosions on Qeshm Island.
The official said the strikes appeared limited and did not amount to a return to full-scale hostilities.
Thousands of U.S. troops remain in waters near Iran as part of a naval blockade, and another aircraft carrier and additional troops are on their way to the Middle East.
Vice President JD Vance said the administration saw potential for a negotiated settlement with Iran.
Qatari mediators held two rounds of talks with Iranian officials last week, according to two regional officials.
The regional officials said talks aim to end Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the U.S. lifting its blockade on Iranian ports.
Regional officials and another person familiar with the matter said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu urged Trump to consider further strikes.
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The U.S. military carried out limited strikes on Iranian targets near the Strait of Hormuz, three U.S. officials told CBS News. A senior official said the strikes hit Qeshm Island after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps fired at a U.S. aircraft.
Key Facts
Three U.S. officials confirmed the strikes to CBS News.
A senior U.S. official said the strikes targeted Iran’s Qeshm Island.
The official said the strikes followed an IRGC attack on an American aircraft.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the strikes on Monday.
The strikes took place on the eve of Election Day.
U.S. and Qatari mediators are working on talks toward a deal with Iran.
President Trump has raised the possibility of restarting hostilities with Iran after the midterms.
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A U.S. official told the Associated Press that the United States carried out defensive strikes against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz after Iranians allegedly used surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets. President Donald Trump said the United States had not fought Iran for months, while Vice President JD Vance cited recent talks and expressed optimism about a negotiated settlement.
Key Facts
The U.S. official said the strikes targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against U.S. assets.
Iranian state television reported hearing explosions on Qeshm Island.
Trump said the United States had not been fighting Iran for months and said, “We won.”
Vance said the U.S. had held “a number of good conversations” with Iran and was optimistic about a negotiated settlement.
Trump said he was not considering striking Iran after the midterm elections when asked by reporters.
The White House said Trump had a wide range of options regarding Iran and would act to protect Americans.
AAA reported the national average price of regular gasoline was $4.17 per gallon on Monday.
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High pressure is expected to bring mostly dry, chilly weather to the UK during the first days of November, with sunny spells, scattered showers, and overnight frost or fog. Provisional Met Office figures show October was warmer, wetter, and sunnier than average, while England’s recent wet week was not enough to end the ongoing drought.
Key Facts
October rainfall across the UK was 13% above the typical level, according to provisional Met Office statistics.
Northern Scotland recorded rainfall 31% above its long-term October average.
October was the fifth-sunniest in the UK since records began in 1910.
The UK’s mean temperature in October was 0.9C above average.
October was the ninth consecutive month with above-average UK temperatures.
The Environment Agency said England had its wettest week in two years but still needed sustained above-average rainfall through winter to address drought.
High pressure is expected to keep much of the UK settled through the first part of November, though showers are possible in eastern and southern areas.
Overnight temperatures could fall below freezing in rural parts of Scotland, Northern Ireland, and northern England, bringing a risk of frost and fog.
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The Wall Street Journal reported that the United States struck Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, citing unnamed U.S. officials. The report came as President Donald Trump said a deal with Tehran could happen; U.S. officials had not publicly confirmed the strike, and U.S. Central Command did not immediately comment.
Key Facts
The Wall Street Journal described the reported attack as one of several limited U.S. strikes against Iran in recent weeks.
Qeshm is Iran’s largest island and lies in the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s state news agency IRNA reported five explosions on the island and said some residents saw two aircraft overhead.
The Journal reported that some U.S. officials characterized the recent strikes as defensive, aimed at limiting Iran’s ability to attack commercial ships.
The United States had not publicly announced the reported strikes, according to the Journal.
Trump said on Monday that a deal with Tehran “could happen.”
Oil prices fell by more than 7% on Monday amid optimism about a possible end to the conflict.
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The U.S. says it supports a phased plan for Venezuela that moves from stabilization and economic recovery to political reconciliation and democratic elections. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the plan with Venezuelan Foreign Minister Oliver Blanco, as opposition leader María Corina Machado called for elections in 2027 and questioned the transparency of a U.S.-linked oil deal.
Key Facts
The State Department said the U.S. reaffirmed President Donald Trump’s three-phase plan for Venezuela.
Rubio and Blanco discussed Venezuela’s political future at a meeting on Monday.
Machado said she had returned to Venezuela to organize a movement ahead of elections.
Machado said the plan set out a sequence toward presidential elections in 2027.
Interim President Delcy Rodríguez said elections would be held but did not give a date.
The article says a September agreement would give a U.S.-linked venture rights to 17 Venezuelan oilfields for 100 years.
The article says the U.S. would hold a 35 percent stake in the venture and could buy 20 percent of its oil output at cost.
Machado said the oil agreement lacked the transparency Venezuelan society wanted.
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Iranian state media reported explosions on Qeshm Island and in Bandar Lengeh on Monday. US media, citing American officials, reported that US forces carried out defensive strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz; neither government had publicly commented at the time of the report. The reports came amid diplomatic efforts to prevent renewed fighting and negotiations over reopening the strait.
Key Facts
Iran’s state-owned IRNA news agency reported several explosions in rapid succession on Qeshm Island late Monday.
Witnesses told IRNA they saw two planes flying over the island, which lies near the Strait of Hormuz.
The semi-official Fars news agency reported explosions in Bandar Lengeh, apparently coming from the direction of the sea.
The Wall Street Journal and Associated Press, citing US officials, reported that the US military carried out defensive strikes against Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz.
An official cited by the AP said the strikes targeted Iranians using surface-to-air missiles against US assets.
Fox News and Axios reporters said the strikes followed an IRGC attack on a US aircraft; the article did not independently confirm that account.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard claimed it had captured two US reconnaissance drones and destroyed an MQ-9 drone earlier Monday.
Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tehran’s proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be implemented within two days if the United States met its conditions, including lifting a naval blockade of Iranian ports and ending hostilities.
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The U.S. military struck radar detectors and missile launchers on Iran’s Qeshm Island on Monday, according to the article. A U.S. official described the attack as defensive, while mediators continued efforts to secure a peace deal between the two sides.
Key Facts
The U.S. military struck targets on Iran’s Qeshm Island.
The targets included radar detectors and missile launchers.
The attack took place on Monday, one day before the U.S. midterm elections.
A U.S. official told NewsNation that the attack was defensive in nature.
The article described the attack as a continuation of strikes against Iran.
Mediators continued efforts to reach a peace deal between the United States and Iran.
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Authorities in Assam’s Dhubri district have bulldozed hundreds of homes in a campaign to evict families they say lack legal rights to live there. Local media reports that about 4,000 people were displaced, most of them Bengali-speaking Muslims.
Key Facts
The demolitions took place in Dhubri district in northeastern India’s Assam state.
Authorities say the campaign targets families they consider to be living there unlawfully.
Hundreds of homes have been bulldozed.
Local media reports that about 4,000 people were displaced.
Most of those displaced were reportedly Bengali-speaking Muslims.
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