Tennessee inmate Christa Pike survives botched execution, describes pain

Sir Patrick Stewart, Star Trek and X-Men star, dies at 86

Sir Patrick Stewart, the British actor whose commanding presence defined Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek and Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, has died at the age of 86. He passed away at his home in Los Angeles on Wednesday after living with Alzheimer’s disease and Lewy body dementia, his family said in a statement. A classically trained member of the Royal Shakespeare Company, Stewart brought Shakespearean gravitas to blockbuster science-fiction and superhero franchises across a decades-long screen and stage career.

Tributes have poured in from fellow performers and public figures, including William Shatner, who hailed him as representing "the best of us." Stewart was born in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, and was remembered by his hometown as "Mirfield’s finest."

Russia’s independent Novaya Gazeta announces closure under Kremlin pressure

Novaya Gazeta, one of Russia’s last major independent newspapers, has announced it will close, citing sustained pressure from the Kremlin and Russian security services. The outlet, whose co-founder Dmitry Muratov won the Nobel Peace Prize and which has been designated a "foreign agent," said recent actions against its staff—including a search of a senior editor’s home and the detention of a journalist earlier this year—had made continued operation impossible. Its editor-in-chief said the authorities had "killed us," describing the closure as the culmination of a state-orchestrated campaign against the publication.

US courts reject Justice Department moves against California election officials

A panel of the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals has rejected a Justice Department request that California set aside more than 20,000 mail‑in ballots received in the midterm election, ruling 2‑to‑1 that the demand was plainly unconstitutional. The decision marks the latest legal setback for the Trump administration’s efforts to assert federal control over state‑run elections.

Separately, a federal judge in San Francisco ordered the Justice Department to stop trying to intimidate California election officials, including demands that ballots from selected voters be segregated and threats of criminal prosecution for noncompliance. The judge barred federal officials from continuing such pressure.

Binance halts trading after North Korea-linked $6.3 billion hack

Cryptocurrency exchange Binance has suspended trading after a suspected cyberattack that investigators have linked to North Korea, leaving users unable to access the platform while the breach is examined. The company described the attack as complex and said it is working to recover the stolen funds.

Blockchain intelligence firms estimate that approximately $6.3 billion was affected, which would make the incident the largest cryptocurrency hack on record.

Canada aims for unprecedented European Union associate membership by 2027

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has committed to making Canada the European Union’s first-ever "associate member" by June 2027, a status that has no precedent in EU law and has been fiercely opposed by Germany. Carney said he would attend a June meeting of European leaders aiming to conclude negotiations on the proposed relationship, which his government frames as part of an effort to reduce American influence over Canada and diversify trade.

Civilians begin evacuating Russian-occupied Oleshky under temporary ceasefire

A humanitarian evacuation has begun in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky under a temporary, US-brokered ceasefire. Ukrainian official David Arakhamia said residents who left travelled with a Ukrainian delegation to Russia’s Anapa and are expected to fly to Belarus before returning to Ukraine by bus. The White House said First Lady Melania Trump helped negotiate the ceasefire and coordinate the mission.

Several hundred people are understood to have chosen to remain in the devastated frontline town, which has been without gas, electricity or running water, despite the opening of the corridor. Concerns persist over whether those seeking evacuation will be allowed to reach Ukrainian-controlled territory.

Judge orders ethics inquiry into Trump lawyers in golf course case

Federal Judge Ana Reyes has ordered a formal ethics inquiry into Justice Department lawyers and Trump administration officials over their conduct in litigation involving Washington’s East Potomac Golf Links. Reyes called on government lawyers to explain contradictory statements and said she will investigate whether officials misled the court about their plans for the municipal golf course.

Pope Leo XIV becomes first pontiff to vote in US election

Pope Leo XIV has become the first pope in history to vote in a US election, submitting a mail-in ballot in his native Chicago ahead of the 3 November midterm elections, the Vatican confirmed. The Chicago-born pontiff, who has had a tense relationship with Donald Trump, cast his ballot in a contest that will decide control of Congress.

Watchdog to probe UK police handling of Meghan father letter

The Metropolitan Police has referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct over its handling of a letter containing serious allegations about Thomas Markle Snr, the father of the Duchess of Sussex. The force acknowledged it failed to pass the letter to other authorities, prompting the watchdog to open an investigation.

Arsenal’s Arteta warns teenage Dowman after cup red card

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has warned 16-year-old midfielder Max Dowman that "we are not in Disneyland" after the teenager was sent off during Tuesday’s Carabao Cup defeat at Fleetwood. Dowman became the youngest player ever dismissed in League Cup history, and Arsenal’s appeal against his three-match ban was rejected. Arteta said Dowman, who also received a red card this month while playing for England Under-19s, will be held to the same standards as every other first-team player.