Year: 2026

US markets opened higher following the Democrats’ success in the midterm elections, gaining control of both the House and Senate. The Nasdaq rose 1%, the Dow climbed 1.8%, and the S&P 500 increased by 1.1%. Retailers surged as tariff policy changes loom, while energy prices fell significantly amid global tensions.

Ibrahim El-Hakim, a former Royal Bank of Canada employee, has been found guilty of opening 43 fraudulent accounts and accessing the personal banking information of Prime Minister Mark Carney. Charged with fraud, identity theft, and unauthorized computer use, El-Hakim’s sentencing is scheduled for later this month.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei dismissed the implications of the U.S. midterm elections, asserting that no changes in U.S. policy towards Iran are expected. He stated that any hopes for shifts in American behaviour are misguided, while Iran’s chief negotiator claimed the results indicated U.S. citizens rejected war.

A brass padlock from the 1583 shipwreck of the Ann Francis has been successfully decoded after over 400 years. Experts from Museum Wales and Cardiff University utilised a CT scan to reveal the combination ANCE, which corresponds with notches inside the lock, allowing a section to be extracted.

Two men have died and two others are injured due to suspected electrocution at the Conrad Hotel pool in Bengaluru, prompting a police investigation.

EU OUTLOOK

This morning, Europe addresses several pressing issues, including energy security and EU candidacy reforms.
Immediate actions are being encouraged across multiple sectors.

Democrat Abdul El-Sayed has won the Michigan Senate seat, defeating Republican Mike Rogers. El-Sayed, a former Wayne County health director, secured the position after a competitive primary against Haley Stevens, who subsequently endorsed Rogers. The race highlighted significant advertising investment, exceeding $100 million.

Saskatoon’s transportation committee has postponed land expropriation discussions for six Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) station sites due to stalled negotiations with property owners. City administrators reported ongoing consultations since 2024, with plans to re-engage four owners amid business concerns over safety and access related to the stations.

Democrat Rebecca Bennett has defeated Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr. in New Jersey’s 7th Congressional District, as projected by CBS News. Kean’s recent absence from Congress due to undisclosed health issues had raised concerns about transparency, impacting his campaign. Bennett outperformed Kean in fundraising, raising approximately £8.2 million.

Two British flights were evacuated following bomb threats, one diverting to Warsaw-Modlin and the other landing at Murcia Airport as police conducted inspections.