The FAA grounded departing flights nationwide on Friday after communications problems disrupted air traffic control centers; the agency said it acted for safety and technicians investigated. The FAA lifted the stop that evening, but delays and cancellations continued as airlines worked to restore schedules.
The FAA ordered a nationwide ground stop for departing flights on Friday. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, CBS News and 3 more
The stop followed communications problems or a telecommunications outage affecting air traffic control centers. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, CBS News and 4 more
FAA technicians investigated the problem. Newsweek, The Hill, PBS NewsHour, ABC News and 2 more
The FAA lifted the ground stop Friday evening, but flight disruptions continued. Axios, CBS News, The Hill, France24 and 3 more
Officials said there was no indication that a malicious attack caused the outage. The Hill, CBS News, Guardian World, France24 and 2 more
Where reports differ
Reported disruption totals varied: Al Jazeera reported about 7,000 delayed or canceled flights, while Guardian World reported 10,543 delays and 3,580 cancellations. Al Jazeera
The Hill said airspace reopened at 8:15 p.m. Eastern Time; CBS News reported the stop was lifted around 8:20 p.m. EST. CBS News
Reported by one outlet
The FAA said inbound international flights would be handled case by case. Newsweek
FlightAware reported more than 10,000 domestic delays and 4,000 cancellations by 7:15 p.m. ET Friday. Axios
The FAA's new AI tool for managing airspace congestion had no confirmed link to the communications problems. Axios
The FAA and White House asked lawmakers for an additional $30.1 billion on Friday. Al Jazeera
Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen said Thursday that he will challenge New York Sen. Chuck Schumer for the Senate Democratic leadership post. Van Hollen called for new leadership after Democrats won control of the Senate, while Schumer said he has enough support to remain leader.
Van Hollen is a Democratic senator from Maryland, and Schumer is a Democratic senator from New York. The Hill, ABC News, BBC World, Axios
Van Hollen announced that he would challenge Schumer for the Senate Democratic leadership post. The Hill, Newsweek, Al Jazeera, PBS NewsHour and 4 more
Van Hollen said Democrats need new leadership or a change from the status quo. The Hill, Al Jazeera, PBS NewsHour, ABC News and 4 more
Schumer said he has enough votes or support to remain the Democratic leader. Newsweek, ABC News, BBC World, Guardian US and 1 more
Where reports differ
Axios reported that Schumer had public support from 14 senators and Van Hollen from five, including himself; Newsweek reported a tally of 13 for Schumer and two for Van Hollen. Axios
Reported by one outlet
The Democratic Socialists of America backed Van Hollen’s challenge and urged senators to replace Schumer. Newsweek
Sen. John Fetterman said choosing Van Hollen as leader would be troubling and suggested he could leave the Democratic Party. The Hill
The collision happened on the Mississippi River near the Port of New Orleans on Friday, with about 129 passengers and crew aboard. The ship tipped onto its side and rescue crews responded; later reports said 32 people were hospitalized and no deaths were reported.
The Atlantic Asphalt tanker collided with the American Heritage cruise ship in New Orleans. Newsweek, Guardian World, PBS NewsHour, Axios and 3 more
About 129 passengers and crew were aboard the American Heritage. Newsweek, Guardian World, Axios, ABC News and 1 more
Rescue or search-and-rescue operations took place after the collision. Guardian World, CBS News, PBS NewsHour, Axios and 2 more
The American Heritage tipped or rolled onto its side after the collision. Guardian World, Axios, CBS News, BBC US
Where reports differ
Early reports said authorities had not confirmed injuries; later, officials reported no fatalities and at least 32 people treated at hospitals. CBS News
The U.S. Coast Guard captain said the crash may have involved a loss of steering. BBC US
A source said the tanker may have lost power before the collision. Guardian World
Reported by one outlet
American Cruise Lines said the passengers and crew were evacuated. Newsweek
The Mississippi River was closed to vessel traffic. Al Jazeera
The tanker was immobilized at about 2 p.m. Central Time, with two tugboats nearby. Axios
Users and organisations in many countries reported problems with Microsoft services, including email and other work tools. Microsoft worked to restore service, and reports described improving availability alongside some continuing access problems.
The outage disrupted Microsoft services including Outlook, Teams and Copilot. France24, Al Jazeera, BBC Tech
The disruption began on Thursday and continued into Friday. France24, Al Jazeera, The Hill, Newsweek
Microsoft said it was working to restore service, with recovery progress reported while some problems remained. France24, Al Jazeera, The Hill, CBS News and 1 more
Reports described disruption affecting users or organisations in many countries. France24, Al Jazeera, BBC Tech, Guardian World and 1 more
Where reports differ
Al Jazeera reported that Microsoft had not identified or published the root cause and was rolling back a network change; later, BBC Tech said Microsoft attributed the outage to a technical problem during a network capacity upgrade. Al Jazeera
The Guardian World described services as beginning to recover after roughly 18 hours of disruption. Guardian World
BBC Tech described the disruption as lasting nearly 24 hours, and separately reported that it lasted more than 22 hours. BBC Tech
Reported by one outlet
PBS NewsHour explained that email recovery can be delayed as queued messages and repeated delivery attempts build up while a provider is unavailable. PBS NewsHour
Axios reported that Maine’s judicial branch warned that email requests for protection orders might not have been received. Axios
Newsweek reported that New Zealand Immigration paused processing visa applications until its systems were restored. Newsweek
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said several government agencies had supported listing Singapore-based Megaspeed, while the Commerce Department had authority over the decision. The comments came as lawmakers scrutinized Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, who agreed to testify before the Senate Banking Committee.
Mia Latter has publicly identified herself as a woman who alleged Russell Brand raped her when she was 16. Brand was sentenced on Monday to 10 and a half years in prison for one count of rape and three counts of sexual assault; Latter was not a complainant in that criminal trial.
Key Facts
Latter was previously known by the pseudonym Alice and has waived her right to anonymity.
She was one of six women who made allegations against Brand in 2023.
Brand denied the allegations at the time.
The six women who made allegations in 2023 were not complainants in Brand’s recent criminal trial.
Brand was reportedly transferred to HMP Littlehey in Cambridgeshire; the Ministry of Justice said it does not comment on individual prisoners.
Wayne Rooney said quitting alcohol six months ago helped him mentally and physically and led him to lose three stone.
Andy Burnham has said he believes the UK can reach a mutually beneficial deal with the EU. The study about the possible household impact of rejoining the EU has not yet been published.
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Democrats are planning their political agenda after gaining control of Congress in midterm elections. They have warned that they will use congressional oversight powers to investigate the Trump administration.
Key Facts
Democrats gained control of Congress after sweeping midterm election wins.
Democrats are planning their political future.
Democrats warned they would use congressional oversight powers against the Trump administration.
More election races were called for Democrats in Mississippi and Colorado.
The Alaska Senate race remained uncalled as of Saturday afternoon.
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A fifth Canadian soldier has died from injuries suffered in an Oct. 17 grass fire during a training exercise at Canadian Forces Base Wainwright in Alberta. Twenty-four soldiers remain hospitalized, and military police and a military inquiry are examining the fire and its handling.
Key Facts
Pvt. William Douglas Dal Bianco died Friday at an Ontario hospital.
A wind-driven grass fire swept toward about 84 soldiers during attack training at the base.
The soldiers were from the 3rd Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry.
The other soldiers who died were Pvt. Shaun Farrell, Pvt. Aidan Goulding, Pvt. Hayden Lykkemark and Sgt. Morgan Wong.
Twenty-four soldiers remain hospitalized.
Maj. Gen. Wade Rutland said officials knew about the fire for hours but believed it was contained before winds shifted.
Military police are investigating, and a separate military board of inquiry will examine the circumstances and recommend ways to prevent similar incidents.
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The Federalist Society held its annual gathering amid a mix of celebration and shock over Democratic victories in the midterm elections. Two years earlier, panelists toasted recent Supreme Court wins at the convention.
Key Facts
The Federalist Society held its annual gathering.
The society is a conservative legal group.
A celebratory mood was present at this year’s gathering.
The mood was also marked by shock over Democratic midterm victories.
Two years earlier, panelists toasted recent Supreme Court wins at the convention.
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Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for a national unity government with rival Gadi Eisenkot, arguing it could protect Israel and address the Iranian threat. Eisenkot rejected the appeal as a political tactic and is trying to form a government after neither side won a majority in the October 27 election.
Key Facts
Netanyahu said a Thursday meeting with Eisenkot strengthened his call for a unity government.
Eisenkot said Netanyahu had lost the election and dismissed his call for talks.
Netanyahu’s right-wing and religious bloc won 53 seats in the 120-seat Knesset; Eisenkot’s four-party bloc won 48, and Arab-led parties won 19.
President Isaac Herzog tasked Eisenkot with forming a government after 67 lawmakers endorsed him, compared with 46 for Netanyahu.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension.
Eisenkot has ruled out including Arab-led parties in his government and proposed a minority government that could pass if some lawmakers abstain.
Netanyahu said a government formed under Eisenkot’s plan would lead to Israel’s collapse.
The Knesset is scheduled to elect its speaker on Tuesday; the opposition nominated Matan Kahana to replace Netanyahu ally Amir Ohana.
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Myer faces declining profitability and relevance as department stores compete with online sellers and specialist retailers. Unlike David Jones, which has entered administration and plans to close half its stores, Myer has a $100 million net cash buffer and has reduced its store count, giving it time to try to turn around its business.
Key Facts
Myer’s sales rose to $4.1 billion in the last financial year, partly because it acquired five apparel chains from Premier Investments.
Myer said higher-than-planned promotions helped stimulate demand but reduced profitability.
Myer reduced the value of its brands by more than $200 million in one year.
IBISWorld said department stores have lost relevance as online platforms and specialist retailers attract shoppers.
Cost-of-living pressures have encouraged shoppers to seek deals, according to IBISWorld.
Myer ended the last financial year with a $100 million net cash buffer.
Myer had 56 stores, down from 60 before the pandemic.
David Jones entered administration and plans to close half of its 38 stores.
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A suspected explosive device inside a car killed a man and his daughter in Jaramana, near Damascus, on Saturday. A woman identified as the man’s wife was seriously injured, and Syrian security forces sealed off the area and opened an investigation.
Key Facts
The explosion occurred in Jaramana, a suburb on the southeastern edge of Damascus.
The blast killed a man and his daughter.
A third person, identified as the man’s wife, was seriously injured.
The suspected explosive device was planted inside a car.
Syria’s Internal Security Forces sealed off the area and opened an investigation.
Jaramana has a large Druze community and has experienced tensions between some Druze residents and Sunni supporters of the government.
Syrian security forces said in September that they arrested four members of an ISIL cell accused of planning and carrying out attacks.
Last month, Syrian security forces said they foiled an alleged ISIL plot against a police patrol in the Damascus countryside.
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Mia Latter, who says Russell Brand raped her when she was 16, has waived her right to anonymity and is campaigning for a law that would bar adults from having relationships with 16- and 17-year-olds. Brand was sentenced to 10½ years for rape and sexual assault; he was acquitted of other charges. Police say their investigation into Latter’s allegation remains ongoing.
Key Facts
Latter was one of six women who made allegations against Brand in a 2023 media investigation, using the pseudonym Alice.
Latter says she was 16 and Brand was 30 when they met while he was working at MTV.
Latter now describes the alleged incident as rape; the 2023 investigation had described it as sexual assault.
Latter supports allowing relationships between teenagers aged 16 to 18 while making relationships between adults and people under 18 a criminal offence.
Latter said she would not continue with the criminal process so she could focus on her campaign.
The six women in the 2023 investigation were not complainants in Brand’s recent criminal trial.
Police say they opened an investigation into Latter’s rape allegation in January 2026 and are seeking further information before a charging decision.
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A nationwide U.S. flight ground stop lasted more than four hours on Friday after communication and radar problems affected air traffic control centers. Officials said work to replace old copper wiring contributed to a surge in connection attempts, and airlines could need days to return to normal operations.
Key Facts
The FAA ordered a nationwide flight ground stop on Friday because of problems at regional air traffic control centers.
The ground stop lasted more than four hours and was lifted late Friday.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the system received more than 1,000 connection attempts every four to five seconds.
Officials said the connection surge disrupted communications with aircraft and some radar feeds.
A contractor was replacing old copper wire with fiber wire at a remote location on Friday afternoon.
Pilots on flights already in the air landed safely using established procedures, according to Duffy.
The FAA operates 22 regional air traffic control centers that manage aircraft flying between airports.
Congress approved $12.5 billion last year for an effort to update air traffic control technology.
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President Donald Trump promised a 50 percent discount for Washington-area residents at East Potomac Golf Links, but did not define the area, rates, or timing. A federal judge is considering a request to block the planned closure of the course and most of East Potomac Park while a legal challenge to the renovation proceeds.
Key Facts
Trump announced the proposed discount in a Truth Social post on Saturday.
The government planned to close the course and most of East Potomac Park starting November 15, 2026.
Government lawyers told the court that closure was needed because of seawall and safety concerns and the lack of an active course operator.
Judge Ana C. Reyes questioned why long-standing infrastructure problems required shutting down most of Hains Point.
The National Park Service signed a 50-year lease with the nonprofit National Links Trust in 2020 to operate East Potomac, Langston, and Rock Creek golf courses.
The Interior Department ended that lease late last year, citing alleged defaults.
A preservation group and two golfers sued federal agencies in February to challenge the redevelopment plans.
A court-appointed investigator is examining whether government lawyers acted ethically; the inquiry is not a finding of misconduct.
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Rep. Tim Burchett called on House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to pass legislation funding updates to air travel infrastructure. He made the appeal Saturday morning after a nationwide ground stop on Friday.
Key Facts
Tim Burchett is a Republican representative from Tennessee.
Burchett addressed House Speaker Mike Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune.
Burchett urged them to pass legislation funding air travel infrastructure updates.
Burchett made the appeal Saturday morning.
A nationwide ground stop took place Friday.
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The Port of New Orleans sued the owners and managers of the tanker Atlantic Asphalt, seeking more than $1 million for damage from its collision with the docked cruise ship American Heritage. More than 100 passengers were rescued; 32 people went to hospital with non-critical injuries, and no one was reported missing. Investigators are still determining the cause.
Key Facts
The collision happened Friday afternoon on the Mississippi River in New Orleans.
The American Heritage was left on its side and partially submerged after the tanker struck it.
About 129 passengers, as well as crew members, were aboard the cruise ship.
Rescuers took more than 100 passengers from the river.
Thirty-two people were treated in hospital for non-critical injuries.
The lawsuit names the tanker, its owner Nave Shipping SA, and its manager Thome Ship Management Pte Ltd.
The port seeks payment for cleanup, inspections, repairs, and other costs, and asks the court to seize and sell the tanker.
The Coast Guard said a loss of steering may have contributed to the collision, but the cause remains under investigation.
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SpaceX caught the upper stage of its Starship rocket, called the Ship, on its return to Earth for the first time. The attempt to catch the booster was aborted, and it was diverted to the ocean, where it burst into flames above the sea.
Key Facts
SpaceX caught the Starship upper stage using mechanical arms on its launch tower.
The upper stage is known as the Ship.
The catch took place at around 15:27 local time on Saturday, or 21:27 GMT.
SpaceX had planned to catch both the upper stage and the booster.
The booster catch was aborted a few minutes after launch.
The booster was diverted to the ocean and burst into flames above the sea.
Crowds cheered at the launch site in Texas.
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A telecommunications problem in the air traffic control system led to a nationwide ground stop, and its effects continued to disrupt U.S. flights on Saturday, Nov. 14. Travel expert Brett Snyder said airlines might not return to normal schedules until Monday and advised passengers to monitor updates, check connecting flights, and consider rebooking if delays make a trip impractical.
Key Facts
More than 14,000 flights were canceled on Friday and Saturday, according to FlightAware.
About 160 Sunday flights had been canceled as of Saturday afternoon.
The Federal Aviation Administration said a telecommunications issue in its air traffic control system caused the ground stop.
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the system was expected to be fully recovered by Sunday.
American, Southwest, Delta, and United offered travel waivers.
American Airlines announced fare caps for domestic and short international flights.
Snyder advised passengers to use airline apps, watch flight alerts, and contact airline staff when needed.
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The United States is facilitating direct talks between Russia and European partners as the Trump administration pursues a peace deal in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukraine would not surrender territory or accept neutrality, and emphasized that any security arrangement must protect Ukraine and involve its partners.
Key Facts
Jared Kushner said the United States is preparing direct engagement between Moscow and European partners and the next round of trilateral talks.
Kushner and Steve Witkoff held separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The first round of U.S.-brokered talks since February ended with plans for a new prisoner exchange and further discussions, but no broader peace deal.
Zelenskyy said the United States asked whether Ukraine would withdraw from parts of the Donbas it still controls if admitted to NATO.
Zelenskyy rejected surrendering Ukrainian territory and said Ukraine would not commit to neutrality, which he said would require a constitutional change.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine is discussing a security package that could include NATO and European Union guarantees, military and financial support, and a recovery plan.
Kushner said a lasting peace would require security guarantees for Ukraine and practical arrangements to lower the risk of renewed conflict; he described NATO as a critical pillar of European security.
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President Donald Trump has sent conflicting signals about the next steps in the eight-month Iran war, saying major new strikes may not be needed while warning that the U.S. military remains ready to act. Qatar is pursuing an interim deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and Trump is expected to discuss Iran during upcoming meetings with China’s Xi Jinping and Russia’s Vladimir Putin.
Key Facts
Trump said the Iran war and its effects on the global economy contributed to Republican losses in the midterm elections, while defending the decision to fight.
After meeting Qatar’s prime minister, Trump said major new strikes on Iran were highly unlikely and described the war as militarily effectively over.
Trump later said the U.S. no longer needed a deal with Tehran and directed Vice President JD Vance to focus on a domestic anti-fraud campaign.
Trump warned that the U.S. military was ready to act and said the U.S. was monitoring Pickaxe Mountain, a facility linked to Iran’s nuclear program.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio said economic pressure had weakened Iran enough that military action was not needed.
Qatar is seeking an interim agreement to restore traffic through the Strait of Hormuz while keeping further U.S.-Iran talks possible.
Trump is expected to discuss Iran and nuclear stockpiles with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during a planned three-way summit in Shenzhen.
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US envoy Jared Kushner said he and Steve Witkoff are working with Russia, Ukraine and European countries on the next steps in peace talks. European leaders have agreed to send representatives from five countries to future talks, while Ukraine and Russia continue fighting and negotiations have yet to produce a breakthrough.
Key Facts
Kushner said both sides recognize that compromises will be needed to end the war.
Talks in Abu Dhabi did not produce a breakthrough, but they led to a prisoner exchange.
The United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Poland agreed to send representatives to future peace talks.
French President Emmanuel Macron said Europe should clearly state its goals for the post-war period, including to Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he did not think European security could be discussed without Europe.
Zelenskyy said US negotiators asked whether Ukraine would withdraw troops from Donbas in exchange for joining NATO.
Leaks from Russia’s official statistics agency indicated that at least 450,000 Russian soldiers had died in the war.
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The U.S. flu season began earlier than usual and is intensifying, with high activity reported in seven states, mainly in the South and West. The CDC estimates that flu has caused at least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths so far this season.
Key Facts
Seven states reported high flu activity last week, up from two states the week before.
More than 3% of doctors’ office visits last week were for flu-like illness.
The states reporting high activity were California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington.
The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest recorded that early in autumn in more than 15 years.
Most flu illnesses so far this fall have been caused by an H1N1 virus with mutations that may help it evade immune defenses.
Early data suggests this season’s vaccine can recognize the circulating virus, but its effectiveness will not be known for months.
Last winter’s flu season caused at least 32 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations and 24,000 deaths, according to CDC estimates.
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Stuart Sterling has stepped back as chief executive of the UK Ethics and Integrity Commission while the government establishes the facts about allegations of sexual misconduct from his time at Northamptonshire Police. Sterling’s representative said a 2002 disciplinary process resulted in a sanction, denied that an alleged 2008 incident occurred, and said Sterling left the force voluntarily.
Key Facts
Sterling became the first chief executive of the Ethics and Integrity Commission in October 2025.
The commission was created after Labour promised in its 2024 manifesto to promote integrity in government.
A government spokesperson said Sterling had stepped back while officials establish the facts.
Sterling’s representative said a disciplinary process concerning a 2002 complaint ended in a sanction.
The reported sanction was a financial penalty of two weeks’ pay.
A second allegation concerned an incident at a social gathering in 2008; Sterling’s representative denied it occurred.
Sterling joined the Cabinet Office in 2009 and received an OBE in 2023 for helping plan Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
The Cabinet Office is examining whether appropriate disclosures were made.
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Sen. Richard Blumenthal called on Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to resign over allegations that he shielded Nvidia from federal oversight. The allegations surfaced after Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stepped down on Thursday, according to the account.
Key Facts
Richard Blumenthal is a Democratic senator from Connecticut.
Blumenthal called on Howard Lutnick to step down as Commerce secretary.
The call followed allegations that Lutnick shielded Nvidia from federal oversight.
The allegations involved Nvidia, a technology company.
Jensen Huang stepped down from his role as Nvidia’s chief executive on Thursday.
The account links Huang’s departure to claims that had come to light.
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