01
Must Know
Trump confirms 'minor' US strikes on Iranian air defense, first since midterm defeat, as Qatar pushes inspections plan
Ongoing · day 8 ↗
Qatar's Prime Minister said Qatar's mediation between the US and Iran is continuing to prevent the situation in the region from spiraling out of control. Reports say Trump is weighing options for resuming the war with Iran as soon as November 9, while Trump has said he has yet to decide on attacking Iran. Trump confirmed that the US carried out new limited strikes on an Iranian air defense system, which he called 'minor' and said were not a war, days after Republicans lost the midterm elections.
Why it mattersTrump's advisers are split, with Vice President Vance and Gulf allies urging an end to the war while others press for renewed attacks, so each limited strike and each Qatari proposal now feeds a decision Trump has yet to make.
How reporting variesAl-Monitor: Reports Iran saying its forces are 'stronger' than at the war's start, while the US offers a $20 million reward for information on its nuclear program.
8 reports · 7 outlets · 5 left · 1 center · 2 right
Left
- Haaretz Middle East — Backs: Trump confirms minor strikes on Iranian air defense; First strikes since Republicans' Tuesday midterm defeat; Iranian state media reported two explosions near oil waterway; Trump has not decided whether to resume war; Report: Trump weighing options as soon as Nov. 9
Lean left
- SCMP World — Backs: Trump confirms minor strikes on Iranian air defense; First strikes since Republicans' Tuesday midterm defeat; Iranian state media reported two explosions near oil waterway; Qatar mediation continues to prevent escalation
- The Guardian — Backs: Trump has not decided whether to resume war; Qatar mediation continues to prevent escalation; Qatar seeking Iranian consent to UN inspections tied to Hormuz
- Al-Monitor — Backs: Iranian state media reported two explosions near oil waterway; Qatar mediation continues to prevent escalation
- Al Jazeera
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Qatar mediation continues to prevent escalation
- Al-Monitor · Lean left
Lean right
- WSJ World — Backs: Trump has not decided whether to resume war; Vance and Gulf allies urge ending war; others press for attacks
- Straits Times — Backs: Iranian state media reported two explosions near oil waterway; Qatar mediation continues to prevent escalation
Herzog to pick Israel's coalition-builder Sunday as Eisenkot's 67 backers depend on Arab-led parties he won't admit
Ongoing · day 13 ↗
President Isaac Herzog is set to task a candidate with forming a government after two days of talks with party leaders and officials following the inconclusive election. The Democrats' sweep of the US Congress may make it easier for Israel's divided opposition to join forces and remove Netanyahu, who is closely allied with Trump. Republicans are blaming Israel for their defeat in the US midterms, and the Democratic victory could accelerate the decline of the Israeli-American alliance, according to reporting on the fallout.
Why it mattersEisenkot's four Jewish-led parties hold 48 seats, so he needs either the Arab-led parties' votes or both ultra-Orthodox parties to reach 61 — yet Shas has endorsed Netanyahu, and failure to form any government could leave Netanyahu in office.
3 reports · 3 outlets · 3 left
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Herzog to task a candidate on Sunday; 67 of 120 endorsed Eisenkot, 46 Netanyahu; Arab-led parties won record 19 seats on Oct. 27; Eisenkot ruled out bringing Arab-led parties into government; Herzog quote on mutual vetoes between blocs; Four Jewish-led parties hold 48 seats; both ultra-Orthodox parties give 61; Shas endorsed Netanyahu; Failure to form government could leave Netanyahu in office
- NYT World — Backs: Herzog to task a candidate on Sunday
- NPR World — Backs: Arab-led parties won record 19 seats on Oct. 27
Traders' worry shifts from inflation to growth as tech rout deepens
Ongoing · day 6 ↗
Trader concern has shifted from inflation to growth as the tech rout deepens, according to Reuters. Market alarm signals have appeared as the AI rout continues, and traders are bracing for what comes next, according to Reuters.
Why it mattersA market that was pricing inflation risk is now pricing growth risk, which pulls central banks and investors in opposite directions.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 center
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Trader angst pivots from inflation to growth as tech rout deepens; AI sell-off set off market alarm signals
Kremlin cools hopes for Trump's 'big' Ukraine deal as Europe says it must be in the talks
Ongoing · day 3 ↗
The Kremlin says Russian diplomats and military officials will join talks with the US and Ukraine. Europe has rebuffed the US drive for a new security architecture in Ukraine as part of a Ukraine-Russia deal. Europe insists Putin end the war in Ukraine before discussing Russia's security concerns, a stance that risks further tension with the Trump administration.
Why it mattersTrump's promised deal rests on a European security order that Moscow wants to shape but that Europeans say they must approve, so a US-Russia understanding could stall before it is signed.
How reporting variesDer Spiegel: Stresses Peskov's line that Europeans have no negotiator, while Berlin says talks without Europe are 'not productive' and any deal must be agreed as a whole.
France 24: Frames the Democratic midterm win as a possible boost for Kyiv, but notes Trump keeps broad foreign policy powers, limiting Congress.
4 reports · 4 outlets · 1 left · 2 center · 1 right
Lean left
- Der Spiegel — Backs: Peskov: no European readiness; no negotiator named, per Interfax; Merz phoned Trump after 'all of Europe' prediction; Moscow wants to shape European security order; Europeans say they must approve
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Russian diplomats and military officials to join talks
- France 24 — Backs: EU says up to bloc to decide security matters
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: EU says up to bloc to decide security matters; Moscow wants to shape European security order; Europeans say they must approve
02
Should Know
Trump confirms new 'minor' US strikes on Iran's Qeshm Island, says 'it's not a war'
Trump said the US carried out "minor strikes" on Qeshm Island and insisted it is not a war, while claiming "a lot of progress" in talks with Tehran. Iran's semi-official Tasnim news agency earlier said initial reports indicated two missiles had struck the island, with no official information on possible damage. The island was also the target of US "defensive strikes" reported earlier in the week, on Monday.
2 reports · 4 outlets · 1 left · 1 center
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Trump confirms 'minor' US strikes on Qeshm Island; Trump says 'it's not a war'; Trump claims 'a lot of progress' in talks with Tehran; Tasnim: two missiles struck island, no official damage information; Earlier US 'defensive strikes' on Qeshm on Monday
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Tasnim: two missiles struck island, no official damage information
- Republished by Al-Monitor · Lean left
- Republished by Straits Times · Lean right
Paraguay's Senate removes Peña, new president Alliana sworn in; Peña under house arrest, then moved to military base
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Paraguay's Senate removed President Santiago Peña from office after impeachment over the collapse of Ueno Bank, with one report saying the vote was unanimous. Vice President Pedro Alliana was sworn in as Paraguay's president and will serve until August 2028. Peña was placed under house arrest on suspicion of breach of trust shortly after his removal from office.
6 reports · 6 outlets · 2 left · 3 center · 1 right
Lean left
- SCMP World — Backs: Senate removed Peña Friday over Ueno Bank collapse; House arrest on suspicion of breach of trust
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Senate removed Peña Friday over Ueno Bank collapse; House arrest on suspicion of breach of trust; Moved to military site after protester clashes, per Clarín and Al Jazeera
Centre
- France 24 — Backs: Senate removed Peña Friday over Ueno Bank collapse; House arrest on suspicion of breach of trust; Alliana serves to August 2028
- Reuters · wire
- BBC World — Backs: Senate removed Peña Friday over Ueno Bank collapse; House arrest on suspicion of breach of trust; Alliana serves to August 2028
Lean right
- Clarín — Backs: Senate removed Peña Friday over Ueno Bank collapse; House arrest on suspicion of breach of trust; Moved to military site after protester clashes, per Clarín and Al Jazeera; Alliana serves to August 2028; Congress named Antonio Barrios vice president
Russian strikes hit Kyiv power plants and a Dnipro bridge three days before Abu Dhabi talks
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Russia carried out a massive overnight missile and drone strike on Kyiv and the surrounding region, targeting energy infrastructure and killing at least one person and wounding eight, according to the report. Russian strikes hit power facilities around Kyiv and damaged a major bridge over the Dnipro, straining the capital's power supply and heating systems as temperatures fell. Zelenskyy said the attack involved 172 drones and dozens of ballistic missiles, and accused Moscow of trying to push Ukraine into a blackout ahead of trilateral talks.
6 reports · 6 outlets · 3 left · 2 center · 1 right
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Attack three days before Abu Dhabi talks
- Der Spiegel — Backs: Zelenskyy cited 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles; Klitschko: power, water, heating strained; Russia justified bridge strike as military transport; Zelenskyy blamed Klitschko; Klitschko called it manipulation; Ukraine hit Saratov refinery per Der Spiegel; Power plants hit near Kyiv
- Deutsche Welle — Backs: At least one killed and eight wounded per France 24; Zelenskyy cited 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles; Klitschko: power, water, heating strained; Russia justified bridge strike as military transport; Attack three days before Abu Dhabi talks; Power plants hit near Kyiv
Centre
- France 24 — Backs: At least one killed and eight wounded per France 24; Klitschko: power, water, heating strained; Attack three days before Abu Dhabi talks; Zelenskyy blamed Klitschko; Klitschko called it manipulation; Power plants hit near Kyiv
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Russia justified bridge strike as military transport; Zelenskyy blamed Klitschko; Klitschko called it manipulation; Power plants hit near Kyiv
- Republished by Straits Times · Lean right
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: Zelenskyy cited 172 drones and 36 ballistic missiles; Klitschko: power, water, heating strained; Attack three days before Abu Dhabi talks; Power plants hit near Kyiv
New Zealand's National and Labour deadlocked in early election count, with a minor party as possible kingmaker
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Early counts in New Zealand's election show the National and Labour parties nearly deadlocked, each polling just short of 30 percent of the popular vote. Polls indicate no coalition is expected to win a majority of seats, and a minor party is being cast as the potential kingmaker in what is described as one of the closest elections in recent history. Preliminary results showed no clear front-runner in an election dominated by economic concerns.
5 reports · 5 outlets · 3 left · 1 center · 1 right
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: National and Labour each just short of 30 percent; NYT: vote dominated by economic concerns
- NYT World — Backs: NYT: vote dominated by economic concerns
- The Guardian — Backs: Guardian: no coalition expected to win majority; minor party kingmaker
Hoax bomb threats hit Irish and UK broadcasters and 18 more European flights; Ireland suspects coordinated campaign
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
A fresh wave of bomb threats on Friday, November 6, marked the third such wave that week, disrupting at least 18 more flights across Europe. Scores of flights across Europe received bomb threats this week, but no explosives have been found so far. Bomb threats warning that "the clock is ticking" were sent to TV stations across Europe on Friday, prompting evacuations and suspended programming, including at Irish broadcaster RTÉ and British channels.
7 reports · 7 outlets · 3 left · 2 center · 2 right
Lean left
- NYT World — Backs: Irish government: likely coordinated campaign
- SCMP World — Backs: Third wave this week on Friday Nov. 6; RTÉ, Bauer, Virgin Media, Mediahuis evacuated Irish sites
- The Guardian — Backs: Third wave this week on Friday Nov. 6; Guardian: at least 18 more flights disrupted
Centre
- BBC World — Backs: Third wave this week on Friday Nov. 6; RTÉ, Bauer, Virgin Media, Mediahuis evacuated Irish sites; Irish government: likely coordinated campaign; No explosives found; BBC: no link established; Russian extremist group denied involvement
- France 24 — Backs: Irish government: likely coordinated campaign
Lean right
- Clarín — Backs: RTÉ, Bauer, Virgin Media, Mediahuis evacuated Irish sites
- Globe and Mail — Backs: Third wave this week on Friday Nov. 6
Ten countries urge China to end 'unjust' security cases after Joshua Wong sentence; Hong Kong calls it hypocrisy
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Ten countries, including the Five Eyes allies, have called for an immediate end to "unjust prosecutions" under Hong Kong's national security law following the sentencing of opposition activist Joshua Wong Chi-fung. Hong Kong hit back at the joint statement from the ten countries, calling it hypocritical and accusing them of distorting facts and smearing the city's national security system. Hong Kong lawmakers condemned the criticism from foreign governments of the ruling against Joshua Wong.
4 reports · 4 outlets · 3 left · 1 center
Lean left
- CBC News — Backs: Ten named countries issued joint statement; Wong, 30, got 10 years for collusion; expected freed in January; Earlier term of four years and eight months
- SCMP Asia — Backs: Ten named countries issued joint statement; Hong Kong accused signatories of distorting facts and smearing; Hong Kong calls it hypocrisy
- The Guardian — Backs: Wong, 30, got 10 years for collusion; expected freed in January
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: City lawmakers condemned criticism
US presses China on rare earths and farm purchases in trade call before Shenzhen Trump-Xi summit
Ongoing · day 3 ↗
The US urged China to meet commitments from the 2025 Busan trade accord, particularly on agricultural purchases and rare earths supply, while China expressed serious concern over recent US trade and economic restrictions. US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held a video call with Chinese Vice-Premier He Lifeng to finalise preparations for a Trump-Xi summit in Shenzhen. The European Union and the United States plan to revive talks about China after a two-year hiatus that began when Donald Trump returned to office, according to people familiar with the planning.
4 reports · 4 outlets · 2 left · 1 center · 1 right
Lean left
- Deutsche Welle — Backs: Bessent and Greer call with He Lifeng on Friday; 'Fully and immediately' implement 2025 Busan commitments; He expressed 'serious concern' per Xinhua; APEC Shenzhen Nov. 18-19; truce to Jan. 10
- SCMP China — Backs: Bessent and Greer call with He Lifeng on Friday
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: He expressed 'serious concern' per Xinhua
Trump names hardliner Stephen Miller chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles after midterm defeat
President Trump said on Friday that adviser Stephen Miller will become his chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles. Miller has driven the administration's mass deportation programme, and the move follows the Republicans' midterm losses. The BBC says the pick sets up likely clashes with Congress, and the Guardian reports that Democratic lawmakers, and some Republicans, have criticised it.
6 reports · 6 outlets · 3 left · 3 center
Lean left
- CBC News — Backs: Trump said Friday Miller will replace Wiles; Miller drove mass deportation programme; BBC: likely clashes with Congress; Guardian: Democrats and some Republicans criticised pick
- Der Spiegel — Backs: Trump said Friday Miller will replace Wiles
- The Guardian — Backs: Trump said Friday Miller will replace Wiles; Miller drove mass deportation programme; Guardian: Democrats and some Republicans criticised pick
Centre
- France 24 — Backs: Trump said Friday Miller will replace Wiles; Miller drove mass deportation programme
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Trump said Friday Miller will replace Wiles; Miller drove mass deportation programme
- BBC World — Backs: Trump said Friday Miller will replace Wiles; Miller drove mass deportation programme; BBC: likely clashes with Congress; Guardian: Democrats and some Republicans criticised pick
Islamist raid kills at least 33 in eastern Congo and scatters Ebola patients
Ongoing · day 2 ↗
Islamic State-linked militants raided a village in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo on November 6, killing at least 33 civilians. During the raid, the militants forced patients with confirmed Ebola to flee.
1 report · 2 outlets · 1 center
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: At least 33 killed in raid; ADF recognised by Islamic State as affiliate; Cantine-Aloya, North Kivu, Thursday night, health post burned; One confirmed and five suspected Ebola cases fled; North Kivu half of new infections; 10,000 cases, 5,000 deaths
- Republished by Straits Times · Lean right
EU charges TikTok over harmful algorithmic 'rabbit hole' effects
The EU has charged TikTok over the harmful 'rabbit hole' effects of its algorithm, Reuters reported.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 center
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: EU charges TikTok over 'rabbit hole' effects; Reuters reported the charge
US sanctions eight Canadian money-exchange firms over Iran sanctions evasion
The US Treasury on Friday sanctioned eight money services businesses in Ontario and British Columbia, accusing them of helping Iranian entities evade financial sanctions. The measures cut the firms off from the dollar-based system and block their US assets. The Treasury also said some firms laundered proceeds into digital assets, and three helped alleged drug boss Ryan Wedding. Separately, it barred US institutions from processing transfers involving crypto exchange MEXC Global, which it says handled at least $16bn in illicit transactions linked to Iran, North Korea and Russia.
4 reports · 4 outlets · 2 left · 1 center · 1 right
Lean left
- Al Jazeera — Backs: Eight firms in Ontario and British Columbia sanctioned Friday; Cut off from dollar system, US assets blocked; Some laundered proceeds into digital assets; MEXC Global $16bn illicit transactions Iran, North Korea, Russia
- CBC News — Backs: Eight firms in Ontario and British Columbia sanctioned Friday; Cut off from dollar system, US assets blocked; Some laundered proceeds into digital assets; Three helped Ryan Wedding
Centre
- Reuters · wire — Backs: Eight firms in Ontario and British Columbia sanctioned Friday; Cut off from dollar system, US assets blocked; MEXC Global $16bn illicit transactions Iran, North Korea, Russia
- Al-Monitor · Lean left
Lean right
- Straits Times — Backs: Eight firms in Ontario and British Columbia sanctioned Friday
Novaya Gazeta ex-reporter Kostyuchenko says Moscow is shutting the paper down
Ongoing · day 3 ↗
Elena Kostyuchenko, who worked at Novaya Gazeta for 17 years, writes in the Guardian that Russia's most prominent independent newspaper is being shut down. She says its journalism told the truth and the paper paid the price.
1 report · 1 outlet · 1 left
Lean left
- The Guardian — Backs: Elena Kostyuchenko, former Novaya Gazeta reporter; Moscow shutting the paper down; Worked at Novaya Gazeta for 17 years; Russia's most prominent independent newspaper being shut down; Told the truth and paid the price