Latest News
- Poll closing times for the 2026 midterm elections across the U.S.
- Five people rescued after drifting for three months in the Pacific Ocean
- Investigators examine weather factors in Florida Learjet crash tragedy
- Budget 2026 to feature update on immigration levels, sources confirm
- Polls open nationwide as 2026 elections determine Senate and House control
- Two men sentenced to nearly 30 years for botched hitman plot in Smethwick
- Iranian state television airs instructions on surviving a nuclear attack
- UK Launches Multinational Military Training to Strengthen Ukraine Readiness
LIVE German 2025 Election Results as they come in and analysi on who will be the next German Chancellor.
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Poll closing times for the 2026 midterm elections across the U.S.
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Get you up to speed: Here’s when polls close for 2026 midterm elections across the U.S. tonight
Millions of Americans are voting in person in the 2026 midterm elections on Tuesday, November 3. Polling times vary by state, with the first polls closing at 6 p.m. ET in parts of Indiana and Kentucky.
Polling in the 2026 midterm election is taking place on November 3, with states beginning to report results after polls close. Nearly 57 million voters participated in early voting prior to Election Day, indicating a strong turnout ahead of the polls closing at staggered times across various states.
As millions of Americans participate in the 2026 midterm elections, the ACLU has reiterated voters’ rights, emphasising that anyone in line before polls close has the right to cast their ballot. Election results will start to be reported following the closure of polls in each state, with the first results anticipated shortly after 6 p.m. ET.
What remains unclear — It is unknown how long it will take for all election results to be reported after polls close.
Poll closing times for the 2026 midterm elections across the U.S.
Millions of Americans are casting their votes in person in the 2026 midterm election on Tuesday, Nov. 3.
Polling times vary by state. States will begin reporting election results after their polls close.
Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia offer early voting options, with the exception of Alabama, Mississippi and New Hampshire. Eight states and Washington, D.C., automatically send a mail-in ballot to every registered voter, although voters generally can still choose to vote in person. Over 57 million voters have already cast their ballots early this year.
If you are in line to cast your ballot before a site closes, you have the right to remain in line and vote. View a list of voter rights from the ACLU here.
What time do the first polls close on Election Day 2026?
The first polls close at 6 p.m. ET in the eastern parts of Indiana and Kentucky. Then at 7 p.m., polls close in Georgia, South Carolina, Vermont and Virginia, the rest of Indiana, Kentucky and most of Florida. Then North Carolina, Ohio and West Virginia follow at 7:30 p.m.
Poll closing times vary by state. Here is a breakdown by hour of when polls are closing across the country:
When do polls close across the U.S. for the 2026 midterm elections?
7 p.m. ET
- Georgia
- Indiana
- Kentucky
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Virginia
7:30 p.m. ET
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- West Virginia
8 p.m. ET
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Illinois
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
8:30 p.m. ET
9 p.m. ET
- Arizona
- Colorado
- Kansas
- Louisiana
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- New Mexico
- New York
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas (polls in most of the state close an hour earlier)
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
10 p.m. ET
- Iowa
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- North Dakota
- Utah
11 p.m. ET
- California
- Idaho
- Oregon
- Washington
12 a.m. ET
1 a.m. ET
- Alaska (polls in most of the state close an hour earlier)
Five people rescued after drifting for three months in the Pacific Ocean
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Get you up to speed: Five people rescued after three months drifting on the Pacific Ocean | News World
Five people, including two children, were rescued after being adrift at sea for three months near Fanning Island, Kiribati. The group had originally set off from Indonesia for a one-hour journey, but were blown off course by a storm, with the other four passengers still missing.
The US Coast Guard search operation, which involved more than 25,000 nautical miles, concluded on August 9 when no additional sightings were made. The survivors are currently receiving medical attention on Fanning Island, where limited facilities are available, and arrangements are being made to transfer them to Kiritimati Island for further treatment.
Alexander Narruhn, governor of the Micronesian state of Chuuk, expressed relief at the rescue of five survivors, while noting that families are still awaiting news of the four missing individuals. Local MP Kaotitaake Rakoroa stated plans are in place to move the survivors to Kiritimati Island for more extensive medical treatment as soon as feasible.
What remains unclear — The fate of the other four individuals who were on the boat remains unknown.
Five people rescued after drifting for three months in the Pacific Ocean
Wanis Weita, Wboy Weita, Akinis David, Paul Paul (front row) and Tedwin Paul (behind) were rescued after months at sea (Picture: Dennis Patrick Tatireta/Facebook)
Five people, including two children, have been rescued after spending three months adrift in the Pacific Ocean.
A group of nine people originally set off on July 30 for what should have been a routine one-hour boat journey between the islands of Murilo and Ruo in Indonesia.
However, after their vessel was caught in a storm, they were blown far off course.
The US Coast Guard, supported by the US Navy and Air Force, searched more than 25,000 nautical miles before calling off the operation on August 9.
Then, on Sunday, villagers on Fanning Island in Kiribati spotted the boat drifting near their remote home, around 3,400 miles west of Ruo.
Five of the nine people who had originally been on board were found alive. They have been named as Wanis Weita, Wboy Weita, Akinis David, Paul Paul and Tedwin Paul.
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Fanning Island is a remote coral atoll in the central Pacific (Picture: Getty Images)
What happened to the other four people remains unknown.
Fanning Island, also known as Tabuaeran, is a remote coral atoll in the central Pacific.
Alexander Narruhn, governor of the Micronesian state of Chuuk, welcomed the rescue but said the families were still waiting for news of the missing passengers.
‘There were nine people aboard the boat that went missing,’ he said.
‘Thanks be to God for his love and mercy that five of the nine people have been found. We continue to pray for their four companions.’
Mr Narruhn has asked the president of the Federated States of Micronesia to begin talks with the Kiribati government to arrange for the survivors to return home.
The five have been taken in by the pastor of a local Uniting Church and received medical attention, according to local MP Kaotitaake Rakoroa.
However, Fanning Island has limited medical facilities and transport links because of its isolation.
Mr Rakoroa said the group should be moved to Kiritimati Island, the nearest urban centre, for further treatment as soon as possible.
The rescue comes as the Pacific has been the setting for some of the world’s longest recorded survival stories at sea.
Japanese captain Oguri Jukichi and a sailor survived 484 days adrift after a storm damaged their ship. They lived on hundreds of bags of soybeans and distilled seawater before being rescued off the coast of what is now California in 1815.
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Investigators examine weather factors in Florida Learjet crash tragedy
7:00 pm
Media Lens: Investigators examine weather factors in Florida Learjet crash tragedy
Investigators probe weather in Florida Learjet crash.
Investigators are examining the weather conditions surrounding a Learjet crash in Florida that claimed nine lives. Coverage in CBS News and AP News details the ongoing investigation.
What happened
Investigators are examining weather conditions related to a tragic Learjet crash in Florida that claimed the lives of nine individuals. Friends of the co-pilot have described the distressing audio from the final moments of the flight as “the worst thing I’ve ever heard.”
The pilot, who was identified as a devoted husband and father, has drawn attention to the personal impact of the incident. Reports indicate that the flight was en route from Texas to the Bahamas when it ended in disaster.
Key facts
- A Learjet crash occurred in Florida that killed nine people.
- Investigators are examining weather conditions in relation to the crash.
- The pilot of the Learjet was a husband, father, and devout Christian.
- A friend of the co-pilot described the audio of the last moments as “the worst thing I’ve ever heard.”
- The flight originated from Texas and was headed to the Bahamas.
Where coverage differs
- CBS News emphasizes the personal impact of the tragedy by including accounts from the co-pilot’s friend, while WSJ emphasizes the technical details of the crash and its causes.
- AP News foregrounds the personal background of the pilot, highlighting his family and faith, rather than the crash’s technical aspects.
- CNN prioritizes the broader implications and investigative aspects surrounding the crash, focusing on the tragedy’s context rather than individual narratives.
One story, four angles
CBS News – Friend of co-pilot in Florida plane crash says audio of last moments “the worst thing I’ve ever heard”
Publication: CBS News | Primary framing pattern: Moral | Tone: Emotional | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: Negative | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: This report highlights the emotional toll faced by the families and friends of the crash victims, particularly through the perspective of the co-pilot’s friend, who describes distressing audio from the incident. The narrative centers on the human cost of the tragedy rather than technical investigations.
Publication emphasis: The emotional impact of the plane crash on the victims’ families.
Framing analysis: The report foregrounds personal anguish and trauma related to the crash, while the technical aspects and possible investigations into the cause of the incident are treated as secondary concerns.
Bias: Selection: Focus on personal testimonies and emotional responses. Language: Use of emotionally charged phrases like “the worst thing I’ve ever heard.” Omission: Details on technical causes or regulatory aspects of the crash.
Assessment: The emotional framing aims to resonate with readers, emphasizing human experiences over technicalities.
WSJ – The Final Seconds Before a Learjet Plunged Into a Florida Street
Publication: WSJ | Primary framing pattern: Consequence | Tone: Serious | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: This article provides a detailed account of the moments leading up to the plane’s crash. It includes analysis of various factors contributing to the incident, conveying a serious tone regarding the consequences of the tragedy.
Publication emphasis: Detailed examination of the events culminating in the crash.
Framing analysis: It foregrounds the sequence of events leading to the crash and the analysis behind it, while personal narratives are secondary, focusing primarily on the event’s gravity.
Bias: Selection: Inclusion of technical details. Language: Uses formal language suitable for a serious recounting. Omission: Personal emotional responses are minimally explored.
Assessment: The serious objective maintains focus on factual recounting rather than emotional narratives.
AP News – Pilot in Learjet crash that killed 9 in Florida was a husband, father and a devout Christian
Publication: AP News | Primary framing pattern: Moral | Tone: Reverent | Intensity: 6/10 | Sentiment: Somber | Legal precision: Moderate
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Espresso Shot: This report emphasizes the personal background of the pilot, portraying him as a family man with a devout faith, which serves to humanize the tragedy. It stresses the loss faced by families over focusing on the crash details.
Publication emphasis: The personal and familial context of the pilot involved in the tragic event.
Framing analysis: The article foregrounds the pilot’s personal life and character while minimizing technical discussions of the crash, focusing on the emotional loss to the family and community.
Bias: Selection: Emphasis on the pilot’s identity and character. Language: Choice of terms conveys respect and sympathy. Omission: Less focus on the specific causes or mechanical issues related to the crash.
Assessment: The framing serves to evoke empathy and highlight the personal tragedy resulting from the accident.
CNN – ‘Mayday, mayday.’ A flight from Texas to the Bahamas ended in tragedy. What investigators are examining
Publication: CNN | Primary framing pattern: Legal | Tone: Analytical | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: Neutral | Legal precision: High
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Espresso Shot: This article dives into the investigative aspects following the crash, detailing what authorities are examining regarding its causes. The analytical tone reflects a focus on accountability and the regulatory implications of the incident, providing readers with a detailed breakdown of the investigation.
Publication emphasis: In-depth analysis of the investigation process and implications from the crash.
Framing analysis: The investigation framework is foregrounded, emphasizing accountability and legal aspects, while emotional impacts are secondary and less detailed.
Bias: Selection: Focus on technical and investigative processes. Language: Employs formal, investigative terminology. Omission: Personal victim narratives are not highlighted.
Assessment: The legal framing emphasizes procedural accountability over individual tragedy.
Food for thought
CBS News emphasizes the tragic personal impact of the Florida Learjet crash, centering on a co-pilot’s friend recalling the devastating last moments, signaling strong legal framing of emotional and ethical repercussions. In contrast, The Wall Street Journal escalates the narrative’s urgency by detailing the aircraft’s dramatic descent, portraying the incident as a critical investigation into aviation safety, thus suggesting a broader systemic threat. AP News adds a human dimension by framing the pilot’s personal life and values, focusing less on the crash specifics and more on the context of loss, highlighting individual tragedy over investigative analysis. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Budget 2026 to feature update on immigration levels, sources confirm
5:00 pm
What’s the Latest: Budget 2026 to include update on immigration levels, sources say
The Canadian government plans to include an annual immigration levels update in its federal budget, which will be released on Thursday. The update follows a federal commitment to manage population growth more sustainably and is occurring amidst criticisms from Conservatives regarding a new Liberal immigration policy starting on November 3.
The federal budget, set to be released on Thursday, will include an update on Canada‘s immigration levels, marking the second consecutive year this information has been included. The annual update will be published after the legally mandated deadline of November 1, as stipulated by the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act.
The Canadian government is set to include an update on immigration levels in the federal budget to be released on Thursday. Prime Minister Mark Carney has stated that while immigration is under control, the focus will now shift towards a “controlled increase” in population, amid criticisms from Conservatives regarding the impact of recent policy changes on Canadian workers.
What remains unclear — The government has not specified when it plans to initiate a “controlled increase” in population.
Budget 2026 to feature update on immigration levels, sources confirm
The upcoming federal budget for 2026 will include an update on Canada’s immigration levels, according to a government source. This marks the second consecutive year that such an update will be part of the budget document.
Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that immigration has been stabilised and highlighted the need for a “controlled increase” in population moving forward. “The question is now about when Canada should begin this approach,” he said in an interview with the New York Times. Meanwhile, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne expressed concerns about the previous rate of immigration, claiming it exceeded the capacity of public services and communities.
Champagne emphasised the need for a balanced approach, stating, “You need to welcome people to Canada, but on a level that allows you to provide the basic services or the infrastructure that can support the people coming into our shore,” during a speech at the Canadian Club of Ottawa.
Current plans allow for the admission of 380,000 permanent residents per year, with additional one-time programmes planned for another 140,000 temporary residents through 2026 and 2027. The previous Liberal administration had aimed to increase permanent residency to 500,000 annually; however, the Carney government has cited rapid population growth as a factor in the rising cost of living and housing crisis.
The annual immigration levels update, required by the Immigration and Refugees Protection Act to be tabled by November 1, will be published after this legally mandated deadline. Statistics Canada currently estimates the non-permanent resident population at 6.7% of the total population, with an official target set to reduce this figure to 5%.
Polls open nationwide as 2026 elections determine Senate and House control
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Get you up to speed: 2026 elections live updates as polls open across the country in battle for Senate and House control
Polling indicates a potential shift among Hispanic voters in Texas, with Democrats expressing concerns about the economic situation and immigration enforcement. In competitive races, Democratic candidate Bobby Pulido highlighted “chaos in the streets” due to “aggressive ICE enforcement,” while Republican Monica De La Cruz acknowledged the need for Republicans to address affordability and immigration issues.
Hispanics constitute over 30% of Texas’ eligible electorate, influencing key races for the Senate, governorship, and House. Current polls indicate competitive matches between Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, as well as between incumbent Governor Greg Abbott and Democratic challenger Gina Hinojosa.
Democratic strategist Chuck Rocha emphasised the potential shift among Hispanic voters, stating, “There’s a Hispanic hurricane coming,” while Republican Daniel Garza expressed that enthusiasm for Democratic plans remains low. Incumbent GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz acknowledged a need for Republicans to address affordability and immigration issues following concerns about the Trump administration’s tactics.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how much of an impact the dissatisfaction among Hispanic voters will have on upcoming electoral contests in Texas.
Polls open nationwide as 2026 elections determine Senate and House control
Two years ago, President Trump made historic gains with Hispanic voters nationwide and won a majority of Texas Hispanics, upending conventional wisdom.
But now, Democrats see signs that Hispanics could shift back, pointing to widespread frustration with the state of the economy and immigration enforcement, and Mr. Trump’s sagging approval ratings.
Hispanics make up more than 30% of Texas’ eligible electorate, making them a key constituency in the state’s Senate, gubernatorial and House races. Polls show a tight contest between Democratic Senate candidate James Talarico and Republican Ken Paxton, and GOP Gov. Greg Abbott’s reelection bid against Democrat Gina Hinojosa could be close, too.
“There’s a Hispanic hurricane coming,” predicted Democratic strategist and WTX US News political contributor Chuck Rocha, who advises Talarico and Hinojosa’s campaigns. “We just don’t know quite yet if it’s going to be Category 2 or Category 5, but it’s washing ashore right in front of the GOP, and they don’t know what to do about it.”
But Republicans say enthusiasm for Democrats is still muted.
“I think most voters couldn’t tell you what the Democrat plan is for bringing down prices,” said Daniel Garza, president of the conservative LIBRE Initiative.
In one competitive House race in South Texas, both candidates expressed concerns to WTX US News about the Trump administration’s immigration tactics.
The Democratic candidate, Tejano music star Bobby Pulido, said “there’s chaos in the streets” due to “aggressive ICE enforcement.”
Incumbent GOP Rep. Monica De La Cruz predicted that Texas will remain red. “But I do think that it’s a wake-up call for Republicans to remain focused on affordability, and to come to a solution when it comes to immigration,” she said.
Two men sentenced to nearly 30 years for botched hitman plot in Smethwick
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Get you up to speed: Two hitmen jailed for nearly 30 years after one accidentally shot the other | News UK
Two men, Adam Liaqat and Asad Khan, were involved in a botched shooting incident in St Paul’s Road, Smethwick, at around 4.30am on 23 November last year. The planned attack failed when Liaqat accidentally shot Khan in the leg, leading to Khan seeking medical attention while the police investigated their plot.
Detectives from West Midlands Police’s Major Crime Team confirm that an investigation uncovered text messages indicating Adam Liaqat and Asad Khan were planning a shooting prior to the accidental discharge of a firearm. All three individuals involved—Liaqat, Khan, and Yakuba Sawaneh—were convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court in May and received significant prison sentences for their offences.
West Midlands Police confirmed that Adam Liaqat and Asad Khan had been convicted at Wolverhampton Crown Court, with Liaqat sentenced to 15 years and Khan to 13 years in prison for their roles in a botched shooting plot. Detective Constable Emily Fowler emphasised the dangers of illegally-owned weapons, stating, “Illegally-owned weapons in the wrong hands can be extremely dangerous,” as police continue to prioritise tackling gun crime in the region.
What remains unclear — Authorities have not disclosed the identity of the intended target of the botched shooting plot.
Two men sentenced to nearly 30 years for botched hitman plot in Smethwick
Two men had to scrap their planned attack after one would-be hitman accidentally shot his companion.
Adam Liaqat, 19, and Asad Khan, 22, had parked up in St Paul’s Road in Smethwick, West Midlands, at around 4.30am on November 23 last year.
Police claimed they had ‘put in a lot of pre-planning and preparation’ for the shooting, only for it to go awry.
The pair were sitting in a 4×4, planning to carry out a shooting when their firearm went off, damaging the car and hitting Khan in the leg.
He was seriously injured, forcing the pair to abandon their plan while he sought medical attention in hospital.
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When he reached the emergency room, he initially claimed he didn’t know what had happened.
Detectives from West Midlands Police’s Major Crime Team launched an investigation and uncovered the pair’s botched shooting plot.
Police conducted a search of Khan’s phone, which revealed messages suggesting the pair were attempting to carry out a hit.
Detective Constable Emily Fowler, of West Midlands Police, said: ‘Through our enquiries we established Khan and Liaqat were in the stolen vehicle with a gun.
‘There were messages which indicated they were on their way to shoot someone themselves, although we don’t know who that was.
‘At some point, while the car was parked, the gun has gone off and Khan has been injured and the inside of the vehicle damaged.
‘Khan made his own way to hospital and we started to establish exactly what happened.’
During a later raid of Khan’s house, officers found crack cocaine.
Officers also discovered the Mitsubishi Outlander they were using had been stolen the night before and fitted with false plates.
Fowler added: ‘The pair had clearly put in a lot of pre-planning and preparation as a gun and ammunition had been acquired, and a car stolen and put on false plates.
‘However, it went wrong when Liaqat appears to have accidentally shot Khan.’
Liaqat was arrested days later after leading cops on a pursuit in a Honda Accord despite only holding a provisional licence.
His passenger, Yakuba Sawaneh, 19, was with him when officers saw Class A drugs and a burner phone being tossed from the vehicle before it was stopped in Oldbury, West Midlands.
‘Lives could have been lost as a result of Liaqat and Khan arming themselves with a gun, including Khan’s own,’ Fowler continued.
‘Illegally-owned weapons in the wrong hands can be extremely dangerous and it’s why we’re taking action all year-round to tackle gun crime and find offenders.
‘It’s clear Liaqat, Khan and Sawaneh were all linked to drugs, and he has also rightly been convicted for his illegal activity too.’
All three men went on trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court and were convicted in May.
Liaqat, of Sandwell, was jailed for 15 years after being found guilty of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and Class A drug dealing offences.
Khan, of West Bromwich, was convicted of possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life and possession of Class A drugs and was caged for 13 years.
Sawaneh, of Perry Common, Birmingham, was found guilty of possession of Class A drugs with intent to supply and jailed for 42 months.
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