President Donald Trump has asked Israel's president to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing a corruption trial. Trump's request has sparked concerns about U.S. influence in Israeli matters. Netanyahu faces charges of fraud and bribery but denies the accusations.
Key Facts
President Trump sent a letter to Israel's President Isaac Herzog requesting a pardon for Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption.
Netanyahu's trial involves charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes in three cases.
Trump previously called for Netanyahu's pardon in an Israeli parliament speech.
Israel's president can grant pardons, but a formal request is required from the person seeking clemency.
Israeli media has expressed concerns about American influence over Israeli affairs, particularly in security matters.
According to Israeli law, a pardon typically requires admission of guilt and evidence of remorse.
Opposition figures in Israel have noted that seeking a pardon could have consequences for Netanyahu.
The suggestion that American officials are ensuring Israel maintains its side of a ceasefire agreement with Gaza has been denied by both Netanyahu and U.S. officials.
Los Angeles is expected to receive a month's worth of rain from a single storm over three days because of an atmospheric river. The National Weather Service warns that this could lead to flash floods, especially in areas with recent burn scars. The storm will bring between 1 to 3 inches of rain across different regions of California, with significant impacts expected on Friday and Saturday.
Key Facts
Los Angeles could get a month's worth of rain in three days due to a storm coming this week.
The storm results from an "atmospheric river," which carries water vapor like a river in the sky.
The National Weather Service (NWS) warns of potential flash flooding, particularly over recent burn scars.
On average, Los Angeles sees less than 1.5 inches of rain in November, but the storm could bring up to 1.3 inches to the city.
The rainy weather will begin on Thursday in counties north of Los Angeles, with the city itself affected by Friday.
A forecaster described the expected rainfall as unusual for this time of year but noted such patterns can vary widely.
Police in Merseyside are looking into whether they should investigate the parents of Axel Rudakubana again. Axel Rudakubana killed three children and injured eight others at an event in July 2024. This reassessment follows new information shared during a public inquiry about his parents' awareness of his concerning behavior before the attack.
Key Facts
Axel Rudakubana killed three children and injured eight others on July 29, 2024.
His parents, Alphonse Rudakubana and Laetitia Muzayire, gave evidence during a public inquiry.
Merseyside Police are reviewing transcripts to see if new information has emerged.
Alphonse admitted he intercepted and hid a machete his son ordered but did not tell authorities.
Teachers had warned Alphonse about Axel's online searches, but Alphonse did not take action.
A week before the attack, Axel attempted to go to a school that expelled him, possibly with a weapon.
The families of the victims expressed that the parents should be held responsible.
The inquiry is expected to deliver its findings in spring 2026.
A large explosion occurred in New Delhi, India, near the Red Fort, killing at least 13 people and injuring two dozen. The Indian government is investigating it as a terrorist attack but has not formally blamed Pakistan, although there are alleged links to a Pakistan-based group. Prime Minister Modi’s previous statements equating terrorism with an act of war create a cautious approach in assigning blame to avoid escalating tensions.
Key Facts
An explosion in New Delhi killed at least 13 people and injured about 24 others.
The explosion happened near the Red Fort, a historic site in India's capital.
The Indian government is treating the incident as a terrorist attack.
India's National Investigation Agency is leading the investigation to find those responsible.
Prime Minister Modi has not formally accused Pakistan of involvement despite alleged links to Pakistan-based Jaish-e-Muhammad (JeM).
After a previous attack in April, Modi stated that terrorism would be considered an act of war.
This caution in blaming Pakistan aims to prevent expectations of military action.
Sabrina Carpenter is set to star in and produce a new musical film inspired by "Alice in Wonderland" for Universal Pictures. This will be her first time leading a major studio movie, and the project will be written and directed by Lorene Scafaria. The film does not yet have a production start date or confirmed role details for Carpenter.
Key Facts
Sabrina Carpenter will star in and produce a musical film based on "Alice in Wonderland."
Universal Pictures is making the movie, and Lorene Scafaria will write and direct it.
This will be Carpenter's first leading role in a major studio film.
Carpenter approached Universal with ideas for the film last year.
No production start date or character details have been confirmed.
Carpenter is a singer and actor, known for her role on Disney Channel's "Girl Meets World."
She has received six Grammy nominations, including Album of the Year.
Previous versions of "Alice in Wonderland" include a 1951 Disney animated film and a 2010 film by Tim Burton.
Websites for the United Nations' Conference of the Parties (COP) emit much more carbon than the average website, with emissions rising significantly since 1995. Researchers found some COP pages emit up to 10 times the average carbon emission per page view. This increase in emissions is linked to the pages using more data-heavy content, such as multimedia files.
Key Facts
COP websites emit up to 10 times more carbon per view than average websites.
COP30 is scheduled for November 10-21 in Belém, Brazil, excluding participation from the U.S.
Research showed that COP conference website emissions increased over 13,000% between 1995 and 2024.
A recent COP website's emissions were measured at seven times the global average.
The rise in emissions is tied to the increasing use of multimedia and scripts on these sites.
Globally, the average carbon emission per page view is about 0.36 grams of CO₂e.
The internet, with 5.5 billion users, contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
Recommendations for reducing website emissions include hosting on renewable energy and optimizing media.
Ancient statues and other items were stolen from Syria's National Museum in Damascus. The theft was discovered when museum staff found a broken door. Authorities are investigating the incident and enhancing security at the museum.
Key Facts
Six marble statues from the Roman era were reported missing from Syria's National Museum.
Museum staff discovered the break-in on Monday after finding a door broken from the inside.
Syria's Directorate-General for Antiquities and Museums has started an investigation into the theft.
Security forces in Damascus are looking into the theft and questioning museum guards and others.
The National Museum was fully reopened in January 2025, after being closed due to the civil war.
The museum holds important artefacts, including ancient tablets and sculptures.
Syria's cultural sites, including those in Palmyra, have suffered damage during the civil war.
A new trend called "the bird theory" is gaining popularity on social media. It involves people making up a story about seeing a bird to see how interested their partners are in their day. Experts suggest being cautious about using such tests to judge relationship health.
Key Facts
"The bird theory" is a social media trend where people tell a fictional story about seeing a bird.
The purpose is to gauge a partner's interest based on their reaction to the story.
Videos show varying levels of interest from partners responding to the "bird test."
Dr. Justin Lehmiller from the Kinsey Institute advises caution in using these tests as they might not accurately reflect relationship health.
Lehmiller notes that repeated testing might strain relationships and reflect more on the tester's insecurities.
Yung Gravy, a rapper, and Hannah Brown, a former Bachelorette lead, have participated in the trend online.
Social media often brings up new trends that challenge relationships similarly.
Indigenous protesters entered the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil. They were asking for more efforts to stop deforestation and mining in the Amazon rainforest. This led to clashes with security personnel at the event.
Key Facts
Indigenous protesters entered the COP30 climate summit in Belem, Brazil.
The protest was focused on stopping deforestation and mining activities.
There were clashes between the protesters and security officers inside the venue.
The COP30 summit is a United Nations event focused on climate issues.
Belem is located in Brazil, a country that hosts a large portion of the Amazon rainforest.
There are plans to demolish Argyle House, a building in Edinburgh that was featured in the Netflix series Dept Q. The plans include developing a new mixed-use site with hotels, homes, offices, and shops. Public consultations about these plans are scheduled for December and January.
Key Facts
Argyle House, built in the 1960s, is set to be demolished and replaced with a mixed-use development.
The building was used for filming the police headquarters in Netflix's Dept Q series.
The proposed new development would include a hotel, residential, office, and retail spaces.
Public consultation events will be held in December 2025 and January 2026.
Argyle House, considered unattractive by some, was sold for about £38 million ($47 million) in 2023.
It originally housed government offices but now hosts various firms.
The building also appeared in the ITV series Crime, based on Irvine Welsh's work.
Dept Q was initially set in Copenhagen but moved its setting to Edinburgh for the Netflix series.
A private investigator, central to a privacy lawsuit involving Prince Harry and other public figures against the publisher of the Daily Mail, claims a past statement was forged. The investigator, Gavin Burrows, denies the claims in the 2021 statement, asserting he did not engage in illegal activities as alleged. The court is deciding whether Burrows will testify at a trial scheduled for January.
Key Facts
Prince Harry and others are suing Associated Newspapers Limited (ANL), the publisher of the Daily Mail.
They accuse ANL of serious privacy violations like phone-hacking and illegal information gathering.
Gavin Burrows, a key witness, claims his 2021 statement, which implicated him in these activities, was forged.
Burrows denies working illegally for the Daily Mail or Mail on Sunday.
He only worked on a legal assignment related to Sir Richard Branson, he claims.
A court hearing is considering if Burrows will be called to testify in the January trial.
Legal representatives are debating whether his evidence is hearsay or if he should be cross-examined.
Another hearing is expected before the end of 2025 related to this case.
The Indian government has labeled a recent car explosion in the capital as a terror attack by "anti-national forces." The explosion, which occurred near the historic Red Fort, resulted in eight fatalities and several injuries. Authorities have detained several suspects in the Kashmir region and are investigating possible links to militant activity.
Key Facts
The Indian government called the car explosion a terror attack by "anti-national forces."
The explosion happened near the Red Fort in India's capital, killing eight people and injuring others.
Authorities arrested several suspects in Kashmir linked to the investigation.
The Cabinet passed a resolution labeling the incident as a terror attack but provided no further evidence.
If confirmed as terrorism, this blast would be the deadliest in India's capital since 2011.
Police in Kashmir dismantled a suspected militant cell just before the explosion.
Investigations led to arrests of several people, including two doctors and suspects from Kashmir.
Authorities are considering multiple theories, including a terror attack or accidental explosion.
Israel has reopened the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza to allow humanitarian aid to enter the area. This comes after the crossing was closed for two months, amid calls for more aid to help with the critical food and health situation in Gaza. Despite a ceasefire agreement, aid has been slow to reach northern Gaza, where the crisis remains severe.
Key Facts
The Zikim crossing in northern Gaza is now open for humanitarian aid, as announced by Israeli officials.
The crossing was closed for two months and reopened following calls from UN agencies for more aid to northern Gaza.
A ceasefire, brokered by the United States, began on October 10 and intended to increase aid deliveries to 600 trucks per day.
Aid deliveries have been fewer than expected, and the UN warns that the hunger crisis in Gaza is still severe.
Humanitarian aid, supplied by the UN and other organizations, will go through security checks by Israel before entering Gaza.
Three crossings into Gaza are now open, including Zikim, Kerem Shalom, and al-Karara.
Despite the reopening, attacks continue in Gaza, including air raids and artillery shelling reported in the north.
Ron Dermer, chief Israeli negotiator of the ceasefire deal, has resigned from his ministerial position.
Florida officials have given advice to residents about cold-stunned iguanas after temperatures dropped significantly. When it gets very cold, iguanas can temporarily lose muscle control and fall from trees. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) shared guidance on handling these situations.
Key Facts
Florida experienced a significant drop in temperatures.
When it gets near freezing, green iguanas can lose muscle control and fall from trees.
The FWC advises people not to bring cold-stunned iguanas inside homes or cars because they can recover quickly and might become defensive.
People should not let pets interact with these iguanas.
Releasing green iguanas, a nonnative and prohibited species in Florida, is illegal without a permit.
Green iguanas were first reported in Florida in the 1960s and have since established populations along both coasts.
Iguanas are not cold-hardy, so they struggle to establish populations in northern parts of Florida.
South Florida's canals help iguanas spread to new areas.
Venezuela’s military is conducting exercises across the country amid increased U.S. military presence in the Caribbean. The U.S. has deployed its largest aircraft carrier to the area.
Key Facts
Venezuela's military is carrying out nation-wide drills.
The exercises are meant to test war readiness.
The United States is increasing its military forces in the Caribbean.
The U.S. has sent its largest aircraft carrier to the region.
The drills by Venezuela coincided with the U.S. military build-up.
Economic sanctions, often viewed as a less harmful alternative to war, can harm ordinary people by weakening a country's healthcare system. A study focused on Iran shows sanctions can reduce life expectancy and disrupt access to medicine. Humanitarian exemptions in sanctions are often ineffective, worsening health conditions.
Key Facts
Sanctions are used as a tool in international diplomacy to enforce compliance without using military force.
They can severely affect the health of people in the targeted country by damaging its healthcare system.
Iran faced significant health impacts from sanctions before 2015, including reduced access to medicine.
A study found that countries under UN sanctions see a significant drop in life expectancy, affecting women most.
Humanitarian exemptions in sanctions often don't work in practice, leading to medicine shortages and high prices.
During past sanctions on Iran, medicine prices increased by up to 300%, forcing people to use unsafe alternatives.
UN bodies focused on nuclear compliance often overlook the humanitarian effects of sanctions on healthcare.
Thousands of people in Belgrade protested against a plan to build luxury buildings on a site partly destroyed in a 1999 bombing. The project is linked to U.S. President Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Protestors are upset with the Serbian government for supporting the development and changing laws to allow it.
Key Facts
The protests took place at a former army headquarters in Serbia that was damaged during NATO's 1999 bombing.
Jared Kushner's company plans to build a luxury hotel, apartments, shops, and offices on the site.
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić supports the development and has hosted Kushner in Belgrade.
A civic group named arh.politicne organized the protest, objecting to the site's redevelopment.
Critics believe Vučić is trying to gain favor with President Trump by supporting the project.
A law was passed to reduce cultural protections on the site, allowing the project to proceed.
An investigation is underway to check if documents to change the site's status were legitimate.
There is a 99-year lease agreement in place with Kushner's Affinity Global Development for the site.
California Governor Gavin Newsom was the highest-profile American at the United Nations' 30th Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil, as the Trump administration chose not to send a federal delegation. Newsom's attendance highlights the role of U.S. states in international climate discussions amidst a lack of federal participation.
Key Facts
COP30 took place in Belém, Brazil, focusing on climate change issues.
President Trump and the federal government did not send an official delegation to COP30.
Gavin Newsom represented the U.S. Climate Alliance and signed agreements with international partners.
Newsom signed a wildfire prevention agreement with Pará, Brazil, and worked on sustainable transportation initiatives with Nigeria.
Newsom led a large group of over 100 state and local officials to the conference.
The U.S. federal government has previously rolled back environmental policies and withdrew from the Paris Agreement.
President Trump's administration emphasizes economic concerns over climate goals.
ITV's "I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!" has changed its rules so that no contestant can be chosen to do every trial for many days in a row. The new rule allows a contestant to do two trials in a row, but then they must skip the next one, giving more contestants a chance to participate.
Key Facts
I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! is a TV show where celebrities do challenges, called Bushtucker Trials.
A new rule means a celebrity can do two trials in a row, but cannot be voted for the next trial.
The rule change is to give all contestants more chances to participate.
In 2022, Matt Hancock did six trials in a row, and Dean McCullough experienced a similar situation last year.
Trials can include eating unusual foods or dealing with creatures like snakes and cockroaches.
The new series begins on Sunday with contestants entering the jungle.
Some of the celebrities this year include Jack Osbourne, Ruby Wax, and Alex Scott.
The change aims to make the show more interesting and fair for both celebrities and viewers.
A court has dismissed Jack Antonoff from a copyright lawsuit involving Taylor Swift and several others. The plaintiff, Kimberly Marasco, voluntarily removed Antonoff from the case, which claims Swift and others copied her work. Marasco has filed the lawsuit herself, and other defendants remain in the case.
Key Facts
Jack Antonoff is no longer part of a copyright lawsuit against Taylor Swift.
Kimberly Marasco, the plaintiff, removed Antonoff from the case voluntarily.
The lawsuit claims Taylor Swift and others copied Marasco's poetry and visuals.
Antonoff's attorneys argued Marasco did not properly serve him the lawsuit papers.
Marasco admitted that the service process for Antonoff was questionable.
Marasco has previously filed a lawsuit against Swift, which was dismissed.
The court has yet to rule on dismissal requests for other defendants like Aaron Dessner.
