Miss Universe Zimbabwe Roseanna Hall has not secured a U.S. visa and may miss the pageant in Puerto Rico, whose final is scheduled for 24 November. Zambia withdrew its contestant, Pamela Mubanga, because of U.S. travel restrictions, while Miss Universe South Sudan also expressed uncertainty about participating.
Key Facts
Hall is due to represent Zimbabwe at the 75th Miss Universe pageant.
Contestants began arriving in Puerto Rico on 8 November for registration and pre-pageant activities.
Zambia withdrew Pamela Mubanga from the competition because of U.S. travel restrictions.
Zimbabwe is among 19 countries subject to partial U.S. travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, effective 1 January 2026.
The restrictions suspend some visitor, student, exchange, and immigrant visa issuance for nationals of affected countries and limit other non-immigrant visas.
The Miss Universe organization in Zambia said Mubanga's situation was linked to the country-wide restrictions, not individual circumstances.
Miss Universe South Sudan said her participation remained uncertain.
The pageant final is scheduled at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan on 24 November.
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Jersey’s States Assembly approved the government’s Common Strategic Policy for the political term through 2030, with 31 votes in favour, 10 against and two abstentions. The policy sets priorities including action on living costs, housing, infrastructure, economic competitiveness and financial stability.
Key Facts
The Common Strategic Policy sets the Council of Ministers’ priorities through 2030.
The policy groups its priorities around four pillars: living costs, competitiveness, homes and infrastructure, and financial stability.
States members voted 31 to 10 to approve the policy, with two abstentions.
An amendment adding a priority on government transparency and promoting democracy was approved, increasing the number of priorities from 11 to 12.
Amendments seeking actions on household affordability and employment rights were rejected.
Members also rejected a proposal to refer to rental stress in the policy.
Chief Minister Lyndon Farnham said the policy aims to make Jersey more affordable.
Reform Jersey co-leader Lyndsay Feltham said the policy lacked concrete action on living costs.
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Companies have offered migrants fabricated evidence to support applications for the UK’s Global Talent visa, including fake art portfolios, awards and media coverage. The Home Office is revoking visas granted to two Nigerian men over suspected deception and says it is investigating a company that offered an application package costing more than £100,000.
Key Facts
The UK launched the Global Talent visa in 2020 to attract scientists, researchers and creative artists.
Applicants must show exceptional talent or promise, and they do not have visa interviews.
Successful applicants can bring family members to the UK and may qualify for permanent residency after three or five years.
A London consultancy offered to provide artwork made in China and arrange exhibitions, press coverage and recommendation letters for an application.
The consultancy's representative said a fully inclusive package cost more than £100,000 and claimed no clients who bought it had been refused a visa.
The Home Office is revoking visas issued to two Nigerian men who said they were fine art photographers, citing suspected deception.
A woman from India said a company fabricated evidence for her technology-route application, including a mentoring award and claims that she had spoken at an event; her application was rejected.
The Home Office said the visa route is under review and that it is investigating the company that offered the expensive package.
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Measurements in six European towns and cities found that wood-burning can contribute substantially to children’s exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), pollutants produced by burning fuel. PAH levels were highest in Colchester and Athens, and winter levels in Colchester homes were much higher than summer levels; the researchers said none of the cities exceeded limits for unacceptable lifetime cancer risk.
Key Facts
Researchers measured PAHs in homes, schools and sports centres in Athens, Barcelona, Colchester, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Lisbon.
Colchester and Athens had the highest PAH levels, while Barcelona and Lisbon had the lowest.
PAH exposure in Colchester and Athens exceeded World Health Organization guidelines.
Sports centres had the lowest PAH concentrations, followed by schools.
In Colchester homes, winter concentrations of high-molecular-weight PAHs were more than 10 times summer concentrations; low-molecular-weight PAHs were about three times higher.
Homes with wood-burning appliances, including open fireplaces and stoves, were among those with the highest PAH levels.
A separate study of 53 children in Anglesey found that children in homes with wood burners could face more than three times the particle pollution exposure of children in homes without them.
Researchers said none of the six cities exceeded limits for unacceptable lifetime cancer risk.
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Iranian boxer and political prisoner Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani accepted the Magnitsky award for outstanding human rights activism through a message from prison. He said he would not surrender and dedicated the award to people imprisoned or sentenced to death for seeking a free Iran.
Key Facts
Vafaei Sani is 31 and was arrested in 2020 over his alleged participation in 2019 democracy protests and support for the opposition group MEK.
Iran sentenced him to death three times, most recently in September 2024, and the Supreme Court upheld the sentence on 4 October 2025.
Amnesty International described his trial as grossly unfair.
Vafaei Sani has been tortured and held in solitary confinement for extended periods, according to the account of his case.
Hengaw Organisation for Human Rights says at least 710 people have been executed in Iran since the start of 2026, including 79 political and religious prisoners.
Hengaw documented at least 106 death sentences against people detained over January protests; 35 had already been executed, according to the organisation.
Human Rights for Sport founder Zohreh Abdollahkhani said seven Iranian athletes, including Vafaei Sani, were at risk of execution.
The Magnitsky awards began in 2015 and are named after Russian lawyer Sergei Magnitsky, who died in Russian police custody.
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JNIM and the Islamic State affiliate in the Sahel have fought increasingly deadly battles along Burkina Faso’s northern border with Mali since early September. The clashes add to pressure on a government that has struggled to control parts of the country, while casualty claims from the groups remain unverified.
Key Facts
JNIM is affiliated with al-Qaeda, while the Islamic State in Sahel Province (ISSP) is affiliated with ISIL.
ISSP claimed that more than 200 JNIM fighters died in an early September battle near Kacham; the figure has not been independently verified.
ISIL’s publication claimed that more than 400 JNIM fighters died in October fighting near Ganadaouri; no independent assessment has confirmed the toll.
Photographs released by ISSP on November 1 showed at least 120 bodies, according to i-Sahel’s count, but the people pictured could not be confirmed as victims of the reported battle.
The rivalry between JNIM and ISSP began in 2019. ACLED has recorded about 320 armed clashes and more than 2,200 fighter deaths between them since then.
ACLED documented more than 30 JNIM attacks in Burkina Faso during a February 2026 offensive that killed more than 120 soldiers, forest guards and militia fighters, according to the conflict monitor.
Burkina Faso’s security crisis has displaced millions of people and disrupted access to farmland, markets and basic services.
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Funding shortfalls have led UNRWA to reduce education and health services for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. The cuts have shortened school weeks and clinic hours, while families report overcrowded classrooms and added costs for tutoring.
Key Facts
Lebanon has 12 Palestinian refugee camps and an estimated 230,000 Palestinian residents.
UNRWA says it needs an additional $70 million to $80 million for 2026.
UNRWA has reduced service hours by 20 percent since February 2026.
Many UNRWA schools in Lebanon have reduced the school week from five days to four for the 2026–27 academic year.
More than 35,000 pupils attend 58 UNRWA schools in Lebanon.
Of 26 UNRWA primary health care centres and clinics in Lebanon, 15 were operating and 11 had closed as of June 2026.
Some families in Bourj el-Barajneh report that students are crowded into classrooms with 40 or more pupils.
A mother of four in Bourj el-Barajneh said she pays $200 per month for after-school lessons for two of her children.
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Pope Leo XIV met six survivors of clerical abuse in Peru on November 12, 2026, including people connected to the disbanded Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. He called on the Catholic Church to make amends, listen to survivors, and strengthen protections against abuse.
Key Facts
Leo spent more than an hour with the six survivors and met with each of them individually.
The Vatican said they discussed listening to victims, seeking the truth, supporting healing, and creating safe environments.
Pope Francis shut down Sodalitium Christianae Vitae in 2025 after years of allegations of sexual, physical, and psychological abuse, as well as corruption.
Before his election as pope, Robert Francis Prevost served as a bishop in Peru and was designated to hear from Sodalitium victims.
The Vatican announced in April 2026 plans for a victim listening channel in Lima and compensation using assets seized from the group.
A victims’ representative said survivors seek psychological and medical support, social reintegration, and financial assistance.
Bishop Accountability presented a list of 77 Peruvian clergy members it said had been publicly accused of abusing minors.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed a U.S. pledge to include European Union delegates in the next round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks. U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff met Zelensky in Dublin after talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow; Russia and Ukraine also agreed to another prisoner exchange.
Key Facts
Kushner said Putin was willing to try including European delegates in the talks.
Putin said Russia’s position on the war and its demand for territory had not changed.
Zelensky said European participation would give the EU a voice in negotiations.
Russia and Ukraine agreed to their largest prisoner exchange since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in 2022, but gave no number of prisoners or timeline.
Talks in Abu Dhabi the previous week did not produce a breakthrough.
About one-fifth of Ukraine remains under Russian control.
Zelensky said restrictions affecting Ukraine’s Starshield satellite service were making it harder to intercept Russian jet-powered drones.
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The Eurovision Song Contest is expanding to Asia, with 11 countries set to compete in Bangkok, Thailand, on Saturday. The contest has passionate fans in the region but remains little known there, and its prospects for success are uncertain.
Key Facts
The Eurovision Song Contest is coming to Asia.
Eleven countries are set to compete in the contest.
The competition will take place in Bangkok, Thailand.
The contest is scheduled for Saturday.
Eurovision has passionate fans in Asia.
The Asia contest is not widely known in the region.
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Haitian security forces retook Sylvio Cator Stadium in Port-au-Prince after gangs controlled it for two years. Salvadoran soldiers took over security at the stadium as El Salvador deployed about 2,000 troops to Haiti following an ambush that left four Salvadoran soldiers missing.
Key Facts
Haitian police and the government-serving Task Force said they had taken full control of Sylvio Cator Stadium.
Salvadoran soldiers took up positions at the stadium and assumed security there.
Gangs had controlled the stadium since 2024.
The stadium can hold 10,000 people.
Gang violence forced Haiti’s national football team to play World Cup qualifying matches in Curaçao.
El Salvador ordered about 2,000 troops to Haiti after four Salvadoran soldiers went missing in an October 18 ambush in Port-au-Prince.
The four missing soldiers belong to the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force; the force has distanced itself from El Salvador’s rescue mission.
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Punch, a monkey at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan, was seen taking an interest in a new baby macaque in his enclosure. Punch had previously been abandoned by his mother and shunned by other monkeys.
Key Facts
Punch lives at Ichikawa City Zoo in Japan.
A new baby macaque is in Punch’s enclosure.
Punch was seen taking an interest in the baby macaque.
Punch was abandoned by his mother.
Other monkeys had shunned Punch.
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A study of Germany’s armed forces found that more than 60% of female soldiers who responded had experienced sexual harassment or abuse while on duty. Defence Minister Boris Pistorius called the findings unacceptable, pledged zero tolerance and said the study would be repeated annually.
Key Facts
Nearly 40% of the 4,000 women who responded said they had received suggestive or sexualised remarks.
Fifteen percent of the women respondents said someone had taken mobile-phone pictures of them without consent; some images were altered using artificial intelligence.
Just over 8% of women respondents reported physical attacks, and 2% reported sexual violence.
About 19% of male soldiers surveyed reported similar sexual misconduct; non-binary and gay soldiers were disproportionately affected.
About one-third of respondents said they did not report incidents, or would not report them, because they lacked trust in their superiors’ response.
The study contacted 45,000 current or former service members, and 18% responded.
Germany aims to reach 260,000 active-duty troops and 200,000 reservists by 2035.
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A 17-year-old boy survived six nights alone in bushland near Walhalla, in eastern Victoria, after getting lost and falling down a cliff. Victoria police found him in a creek on Thursday and airlifted him to safety; he was treated for dehydration and was in stable condition on Friday.
Key Facts
The boy was reported missing at about 4 p.m. on Friday after leaving a campsite to retrieve equipment.
He had only shorts and work boots and left his phone, food and water behind.
He rationed a packet of chicken-flavoured chips and drank water from a creek.
He sang John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads” for comfort during the nights alone.
More than 100 people took part in the search, including police and rescue teams.
A police helicopter spotted him sheltering near the creek on Thursday morning.
He reunited with his mother after the rescue and said it was the best moment of his life.
He was taken to Melbourne’s Alfred hospital for further checks after suffering dehydration.
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Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly asked Israel’s military to prepare for possible war with Iran and has pressed U.S. President Donald Trump to renew strikes. Critics say Netanyahu may be seeking to retain power as opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot tries to form a government, while analysts say an attack could prompt the opposition and public to rally behind the government.
Key Facts
Netanyahu has reportedly ordered the Israeli military to prepare for a possible attack on Iran.
Israeli media have reported repeated confrontations between Netanyahu and military chief Eyal Zamir, who opposed proposed action against Iran over concerns it could trigger a wider conflict.
Netanyahu has reportedly called U.S. President Donald Trump almost daily to advocate renewed strikes on Iran.
Opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot has been tasked with forming a government.
Netanyahu has advocated for a national unity government that would include him and his Likud party, or for another election if Eisenkot fails to form a government.
Eisenkot and other opposition figures have accused Netanyahu of using the prospect of war with Iran to preserve his political position.
Analysts say an Israeli attack on Iran could lead the opposition and much of the public to support the government during a crisis.
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Iran’s Revolutionary Guard said it targeted a U.S. early warning radar installation in Bahrain, describing the strike as retaliation for an attack on a telecommunications tower in southern Iran. Washington and Manama had not immediately commented, and the Guard warned it could respond to further actions.
Key Facts
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said it targeted a U.S. early warning radar site in Bahrain.
The Guard described the action as retaliation for an air attack on a telecommunications tower in southern Iran.
Iran’s state news agency reported that Sirik, a port city in Hormozgan province, was hit by enemy fire on Thursday.
An IRGC-affiliated news agency said the aerospace forces had destroyed the radar installation; this claim was not independently confirmed.
Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
There was no immediate comment from Washington or Manama.
The IRGC warned it was ready to respond if what it called violations and aggression continued.
U.S. President Donald Trump said he was prepared to resume military action if diplomacy through Qatar failed to produce a deal.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. envoy Jared Kushner said European representatives would join the next round of Russia-Ukraine talks. Kushner also said Washington was working toward a prisoner exchange that could reunite thousands of people with their families.
Key Facts
Zelensky said European countries would have a voice in future talks.
Kushner said a deal could not be concluded without Europeans at the table.
The Kremlin did not confirm that Russian President Vladimir Putin had agreed to include Europe in future talks.
Representatives of five European capitals and the European Commission met with U.S. envoys, according to an EU official.
Kushner said the United States was working toward what he called the largest prisoner exchange of the war.
U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Kushner met Zelensky in Dublin after talks with Putin in Moscow.
Zelensky said disruptions to Starshield satellite communications affected Ukraine’s front line and Russian-occupied areas.
Putin offered a short-term ceasefire in a key frontline city while maintaining Russia’s hardline demands, according to the account of the meeting.
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Andy Burnham said he believes the UK and EU can reach a deal that benefits both sides, with potential gains including lower costs and stronger economic growth. The UK is seeking agreements on food, emissions trading and youth travel and work before a summit scheduled for 20 November.
Key Facts
The UK and EU have agreed a draft deal to remove post-Brexit checks on food and agriculture exports.
Draft texts on emissions trading and a youth travel and work scheme have been circulated to EU countries.
The UK government estimates the agreements could eventually bring £5.1bn in annual benefits to the UK economy.
Burnham said negotiations could continue until the final days before the summit.
Burnham said requests had come from both the UK and EU sides in the negotiations.
Labour's 2024 election manifesto ruled out returning to the EU single market, customs union or freedom of movement.
The Conservatives have opposed closer alignment with EU rules, while the Liberal Democrats have called for the UK to rejoin the single market and establish a customs union.
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The UK General Medical Council says obstetrics and gynaecology trainees report more burnout, sleep deprivation and reluctance to raise concerns than trainees across other medical specialties. The regulator warned that staff who feel unable to speak up could affect patient care in maternity units.
Key Facts
The GMC analysed responses to its 2026 national training survey, completed by 68% of trainee doctors and covering almost 52,000 people.
About 70% of obstetrics and gynaecology trainees were at moderate to high risk of burnout, compared with 61% across all specialties.
Almost one in three obstetrics and gynaecology trainees felt hesitant or apprehensive about approaching a senior colleague with a patient concern, compared with one in five across all specialties.
One in three trainees in obstetrics and gynaecology said they regularly experienced sleep deprivation, compared with one in five trainees overall.
GMC head Charlie Massey said doctors who feel unable to speak up could have a critical impact on patients.
The Department of Health and Social Care said ensuring every maternity unit meets high standards was a priority.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said talks with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff had made progress toward a major prisoner exchange with Russia. The discussions also addressed European participation in future negotiations and plans for further talks aimed at ending the war.
Key Facts
Zelensky met Kushner and Witkoff at Baldonnel Aerodrome outside Dublin.
Zelensky said an agreement had been reached on what he called the biggest prisoner exchange since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
Zelensky said exchanges of 1,000 prisoners for 1,000, or possibly 1,500 for 1,500, had been discussed.
Kushner said arrangements for the return of thousands of people had been finalized.
Russian state media reported the exchange could happen within two to three weeks; no exact date was announced.
Kushner said European participation in future negotiations had been raised with Russian President Vladimir Putin, who was prepared to consider it.
Witkoff said another meeting was scheduled and that President Donald Trump was committed to ending the war.
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