Prediction markets correctly foresaw Democrats winning both chambers of Congress in Tuesday’s US midterms, with billions of dollars traded on the outcomes. The industry’s growth is also prompting concerns about insider trading, manipulation and gambling addiction.

US politicsprediction marketsmidterm elections

US President Donald Trump signed a document on Thursday designating the White House's Oval Office and Cabinet Room as a national monument.

Donald TrumpWhite Housenational monument

Fu Shuang, whose rounded, fluffy forehead inspired the nickname “Fuluffy,” and Ping Ping, once nicknamed “Hot Dry Noodles,” are in Atlanta under a new agreement between the China Wildlife Conservation Association and Zoo Atlanta. The zoo’s Arthur M. Blank Panda Grove is scheduled to open on November 6, 2026. Pandas have served as envoys of friendship between China and the United States.

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US President Donald Trump said Washington and Moscow are nearing agreements on the Ukraine conflict and European security. He said the deal would go beyond Ukraine and could involve all of Europe, adding that everyone would be thrilled.

US-Russia relationsUkraineEuropean security

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and Real Madrid president Florentino Perez attended the Thursday funeral of Tenerife player Jesus de Miguel in Navahermosa. De Miguel suffered cardiac arrest after colliding with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a match on Monday and died in hospital the next day.

Spanish footballJesus de MiguelfuneralTenerife

Paraguay’s President Santiago Peña resigned on Thursday after the collapse of prominent commercial bank Ueno, which had ties to his government.

ParaguayUeno Bankpolitical crisis

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña resigned amid the Ueno Bank crisis and was later impeached over an alleged conflict of interest. Vice President Pedro Alliana is set to take office as millions await access to their deposits.

ParaguaySantiago PeñaUeno Bankbank crisis

Santiago Peña resigned as president amid political pressure after Ueno Bank’s insolvency led the central bank to freeze deposits belonging to 3 million customers. Opposition lawmakers and members of Peña’s own Colorado party had sought to impeach him over the collapse.

ParaguayUeno BankSantiago Peñabank crisis

Paraguay’s lower house unanimously voted to impeach President Santiago Peña on Thursday, minutes after he announced his resignation on X. Protests have continued since the takeover of a bank linked to Peña left millions, including pensioners, unable to access their money.

ParaguaySantiago Peñaimpeachmentbanking scandal

Paraguayan President Santiago Peña resigned hours after the central bank seized Ueno Bank. The bank said it served more than 60 per cent of the country’s adults, as customers feared their savings had disappeared.

ParaguaySantiago PeñaUeno Bankbank collapse

Paraguay’s president has resigned amid a crisis triggered by a bank collapse, leaving millions of customers unable to access their funds.

Paraguaypresidential resignationbank collapse

A series of hoax bomb threats this week affected more than 20 flights across Europe, disrupting travel plans and prompting some countries to scramble fighter jets.

Europehoax bomb threatsair travel

Flights across Europe were targeted by fake bomb threats in the second such incident this week. BBC Verify analysed messages to trace how the threat was passed on by air traffic control.

European flightsfake bomb threatsair traffic control

At least 21 flights across Europe have been affected. The UK government described the incident as a “malicious hoax threat”.

Europeairlinesairportshoax bomb threats