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- Russia, Ukraine and US to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi as Zelenskyy reports gains
- Vancouver’s illegal rental properties compared to Hong Kong’s coffin apartments
- U.S. Marshals Service official placed on leave over alleged racist incident
- Krakow gunman killed three family members and two cats before shooting spree
- Massie initiates impeachment motion against Defence Secretary Hegseth
- Art Gallery of Ontario to unveil five-floor expansion in September 2027
- Hakeem Jeffries pledges Democratic focus on accountability and affordability in Congress
- Iran views US midterm elections as opportunity for potential deal
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Russia, Ukraine and US to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi as Zelenskyy reports gains
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Get you up to speed: Russia, Ukraine and US to meet as Zelenskyy claims battlefield successes
Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine are meeting for peace talks in Abu Dhabi, mediated by the United States, with discussions focusing on security guarantees. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy claims recent battlefield successes have strengthened Ukraine’s negotiating position.
Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia will meet in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, marking the third round of talks this year, with a focus on security guarantees. The US delegation, led by envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, aims to facilitate discussions while officials remain cautious about the progress, noting significant negotiations are still needed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that his country’s recent battlefield successes have strengthened its negotiating position and urged the United States to convince Russia to end the war. Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged that there are “a ways to go” in the negotiations, emphasising that efforts to find a resolution will continue despite existing challenges.
What remains unclear — It is uncertain how the proposed security guarantees for Ukraine will be structured amid the ongoing territorial disputes.
Russia, Ukraine and US to hold peace talks in Abu Dhabi as Zelenskyy reports gains
News|Vladimir PutinRussia, Ukraine and US to meet as Zelenskyy claims battlefield successes
Zelenskyy claims Russia ‘suffering record losses’ as Trump says US seeing ‘strong inclination’ to end war in Ukraine.
Published On 10 Nov 202610 Nov 2026
Published On 10 Nov 202610 Nov 2026Negotiators from Russia and Ukraine are set to meet for peace talks brokered by the United States in Abu Dhabi, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying that recent gains on the battlefield had strengthened his country’s hand.
The meeting in the capital of the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday will be the third round of talks there this year, following security consultations in January and February. The US side is led by US President Donald Trump’s envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who have spearheaded Washington’s mediation.
The three delegations last met in Geneva on February 18.
“Ukrainian forces are currently genuinely strengthening Ukraine’s negotiating position,” Zelenskyy said in his nightly video address on Monday. He said Russia was “suffering record losses”, a claim Moscow disputes, and urged Washington to persuade the Kremlin to end the war.
Zelenskyy said General Mykhailo Drapatyi had presented a report on Ukraine’s military positions that pointed to heavy recent Russian losses, and that Ukraine’s long-range strikes on targets inside Russia, including oil facilities, were having an effect.
“We are responding to Russia’s war in a fully justified manner and demonstrating that this war must end,” he said. “Russia can do this. It can end its war. It is important that the United States convince Russia of precisely this.”
‘Strong inclination’
In Washington, DC, Trump told reporters that he saw a “very strong inclination” towards ending the war and that both sides were “tired of fighting”.
“We’re having a very good conversation about that in Abu Dhabi,” he said.
Trump had promised to end the war quickly when he took office in January 2025, but a settlement has remained elusive nearly five years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
A US official, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity, said on Monday that both Russia and Ukraine had privately shown some flexibility on a possible exchange of territory. Security guarantees for Ukraine would be a central topic, the official said, including the possibility of a defence commitment modelled on Article 5 of NATO’s founding treaty.
Both Ukraine and Russia have been adamant about territory.
Ukraine wants Russia pushed back to the original border between the two countries, while Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to obtain all of the Donbas region.
Russia occupies roughly 20 percent of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of the eastern Donbas region. The Russian move has not been recognised by the international community, but Trump has previously urged Kyiv to cede territory for a deal to end the war.
The US official said any territorial agreement would most likely come at the end of the negotiations, once other issues, including a post-war security framework, had been settled.
‘Ways to go’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio meanwhile struck a cautious note, saying that the process to end the war still has “a ways to go”.
“We’ll keep trying. And that’s what we’ve been trying to do the whole time is try to be creative and find ways that we can help bring that conflict and that war to an end,” Rubio said.
Rustem Umerov, the head of Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service, will again lead the country’s delegation, according to The Kyiv Independent. Russia’s team will be headed by Vladimir Medinsky, a Kremlin aide, and will include Sergei Ryabkov, a deputy foreign minister, as well as Yuri Zhigarlovsky, a senior military officer.
European powers, including France, Germany and the European Commission, will send officials to the talks in Abu Dhabi, but Russia has made it clear it doesn’t want the Europeans to take part in negotiations.
Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said the talks would focus on security guarantees. European officials would not take part, he added, because the negotiations had been agreed to as a three-way format.
“What will take place in Abu Dhabi in the coming days is trilateral negotiations between Russia and Ukraine with US mediation,” Peskov said. “As for the presence of Europeans, you know that the Americans have their own channels of communication with Europeans, and Ukrainians with Europeans.”
Vancouver’s illegal rental properties compared to Hong Kong’s coffin apartments
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What’s the Latest: Vancouver’s illegal rental houses reminiscent of Hong Kong’s coffin apartments
Landlords in East Vancouver have been fined $90,000 for illegally subdividing a single-family home into a rooming house with at least 17 tenants. A July 2025 inspection revealed the property had been transformed into 21 rooms with multiple unauthorized plumbing fixtures.
The City of Vancouver issued an order to vacate the property in August 2025, following inspections that revealed multiple violations related to health and safety regulations. The Residential Tenancy Branch determined the landlords failed to address urgent repairs and imposed fines totalling $90,000 for their compliance failures.
Vancouver city councillor Stephanie Smith expressed disappointment over the prevalence of illegal rooming houses, noting that such practices are not isolated incidents but part of a broader issue across the city. In response, local experts, including Andy Yan from Simon Fraser University, have called for stricter regulations to prevent landlords from treating fines as a cost of doing business.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how many other illegal rental properties exist in Vancouver beyond the identified case.
Vancouver’s illegal rental properties compared to Hong Kong’s coffin apartments
The issue of overcrowded and illegal rental properties in East Vancouver has been highlighted by the case of a rental home that had been subdivided into a rooming house with 21 rooms and at least 17 tenants. This situation has raised concerns about violations of health and safety regulations. Kristen Robinson reports that landlords in the area are reportedly disregarding these regulations with similar practices.
Stephanie Smith, a newly elected city councillor and former advocate for tenants, expressed disappointment at the $90,000 fine given to these landlords following the emergency order to vacate. “The practices that I saw described in this decision are regrettably practices that I have seen elsewhere,” Smith remarked. An inspection revealed that the home had undergone significant unpermitted renovations, including additional bathrooms and plumbing fixtures.
The Residential Tenancy Branch found that the landlords failed to maintain the property in compliance with housing standards and had not completed urgent repairs. They were fined $85,000 for the first violation and an additional $5,000 for subsequent breaches. Despite the severity of the fines, Smith noted that they may not be sufficient as they only represent a fraction of the property’s revenue potential.
Andy Yan, director of Simon Fraser University’s city program, compared Vancouver’s illegal rooming houses to Hong Kong’s coffin apartments, which consist of small wooden boxes serving as living spaces. “This is a scene that actually is something out of Vancouver’s past from the 1800s,” he stated, reflecting on how such practices echo historical housing concerns.
Both Smith and Yan underscored the imperative for local governments to establish stricter regulations and enforcement to deter landlords from viewing fines as merely a cost of doing business. The ongoing situation in Vancouver illustrates broader issues regarding affordable housing and tenant rights in high-demand urban areas.
U.S. Marshals Service official placed on leave over alleged racist incident
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Get you up to speed: U.S. Marshals Service official sidelined over alleged role in racist incident, sources say
Peter Marketos, assistant director of the Investigative Operations Division at the U.S. Marshals Service, has been placed on administrative leave due to an internal investigation into his alleged involvement in a racist incident involving a Black colleague. The investigation follows an incident where a watermelon was reportedly left on the desk of the Black deputy assistant director, who worked directly under Marketos.
Peter Marketos, assistant director of the Investigative Operations Division, was placed on administrative leave following the incident, with an expectation of termination. Don Snider will take over leadership of the division on Monday, 9 November.
The U.S. Marshals Service has placed Peter Marketos on administrative leave while an internal investigation is conducted regarding his alleged involvement in a racist incident that has raised concerns among deputy marshals about workplace behaviour. Don Snider will take over leadership of the Investigative Operations Division on November 9, as Marketos is expected to be terminated following the investigation.
What remains unclear — It is not clear what specifically prompted the incident known as “watermelon-gate” involving Marketos and whether he was directly involved in placing the watermelon.
U.S. Marshals Service official placed on leave over alleged racist incident
One of the top officials at the U.S. Marshals Service has been placed on administrative leave pending an internal investigation over his alleged involvement in a racist incident targeting a Black colleague, sources familiar with the matter told WTX US News.
Peter Marketos, the assistant director of the Investigative Operations Division, was relieved of his duties after he was allegedly involved in an incident in which a watermelon was left on the desk of a deputy assistant director, who is Black. That employee worked directly under Marketos in the same division, the sources said.
It was not immediately clear what prompted the incident — which some deputies are calling “watermelon-gate.” It was also not immediately clear whether Marketos placed the fruit himself, or if it was placed by someone else under his supervision.
“The U.S. Marshals Service takes seriously any allegation of misconduct by USMS personnel,” a spokesperson said.
“The alleged actions do not reflect the core values of the USMS: Justice, Integrity and Service. While we recognize the public interest in transparency and accountability, federal privacy laws prohibit discussion of personnel matters.”
WTX US News has reached out to Marketos and the target of the alleged incident for comment.
The allegations have raised new questions about accountability and workplace dynamics within the leadership ranks of the federal law enforcement agency, housed under the Department of Justice. Watermelon imagery has a long history of use in derogatory racial stereotypes against Black Americans.
Internally, the incident has sparked concern among deputy marshals, who believe it is beneath the Marshals Service and reflects disturbing racist behavior that should not be tolerated, the sources added.
Marketos’ bio on the website has since been removed, and he is expected to be terminated, one of the sources said.
Staff at the U.S. Marshals Service were informed in a brief email last week that Don Snider would assume leadership of the Investigative Operations Division on Monday, Nov. 9, according to a source familiar with the personnel change.
Marketos is a veteran of the Marshals Service and previously held a number of prominent leadership positions during his more than two decades with the agency. He began his career as a deputy U.S. marshal in 2002 and he subsequently oversaw sex offender investigations, fugitive apprehensions and tactical operations.
In March 2023, Marketos was assigned to be acting U.S. marshal for the District of Columbia, before being named assistant director of the Investigative Operations Division later the same year. Nearly three years later, he was also designated acting U.S. marshal for the Eastern District of Virginia. Marketos has previously served as acting associate director for investigations and testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee in September 2025 about the federal law enforcement task force operating in Washington, D.C.
The Investigative Operations Division oversees some of the Marshals Service’s core law enforcement functions, including fugitive investigations and the agency’s efforts to track and arrest wanted criminals.
Marketos’ sister, Rose Marketos, is an agent at the FBI who was assigned to investigate the so-called “grand conspiracy” case that is probing whether Obama- and Biden-era intelligence officials conspired to keep President Trump out of office. The top federal prosecutor overseeing that investigation in South Florida announced his resignation last week.
Peter Marketos’ replacement, Snider, has long served in the Marshals Service. He previously held the title of chief inspector and commander of the Capital Area Regional Fugitive Task Force, which coordinates efforts among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies to apprehend violent fugitives in the Washington metropolitan area.
Krakow gunman killed three family members and two cats before shooting spree
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Get you up to speed: Krakow gunman ‘executed his family and two cats’ before shooting spree | News World
A 24-year-old man, Michal Oksiński, opened fire in Krakow’s Main Square, killing six people, including three family members, before dying in hospital. Sixteen others sustained injuries in the attack, including foreign nationals from the UK, Portugal, Russia, Germany, and Austria.
The investigation is ongoing, with authorities confirming the recovery of ammunition in the vehicle used by the suspect. Sixteen individuals were reported injured during the incident, with five foreign nationals among those hurt.
Authorities have confirmed that Michal Oksiński, the gunman responsible for the shooting in Krakow, died in hospital this morning. Local officials are now focusing on evaluating security measures in public spaces to prevent similar incidents in the future.
What remains unclear — Authorities have yet to confirm the precise motive behind the shooting, despite citing the shooter’s fascination with far-right ideologies.
Krakow gunman killed three family members and two cats before shooting spree
The 24-year-old man alleged to have opened fire in Krakow’s main square died in hospital this morning, authorities have confirmed (Picture: AFP)
A gunman believed to killed six people in the centre of Krakow died in hospital this morning, police have said.
Michal Oksiński killed three members of his own family and two cats before he opened fire in the Polish city’s Main Square.
A British man was among people shot dead in the suspected terror attack, with the 24-year-old suspect also thought to have killed three members of his own family.
Oksiński’s 53-year-old father, 52-year-old mother, and 20-year-old sister were all found dead in the beds with gunshot wounds to their heads, Polish outlet Fakt said.
‘At least eight shots were fired. Each victim was shot at least twice in the head’, a source told the paper.
In an update this morning on X , Malopolska Policja said: ‘We would like to confirm the perpetrator of the tragic events died in hospital this morning.’
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Some 16 people, including another British citizen, were left injured following the shooting in Main Square on Saturday afternoon.
Four women and two men were killed, with local authorities confirming three of the women and one man were Polish.
Six people were killed in the attack in Main Square, with the perpetrator believed to have also killed three family members (Picture: Reuters)
Other the injured, five were foreign nationals,, from the UK, Portugal, Russia, Germany and Austria.
Officers found three bodies while searching the alleged attacker’s home in in Ostrowiec Swietokrzyski, a city 93 miles from Krakow.
They were later identified as his sister, mother and father.
The suspected gunman, known only as Michal O, was arrested on a nearby street after attempting to escape in a car.
He is believed to have discharged an AR-15-style rifle, a civilian version of a military-style gun, and ammunition was recovered inside the vehicle.
Two officers were injured in a gunfire exchange with the alleged attacker, officials confirmed.
Officers and forensic investigators on the scene of the shooting, which also left 16 people injured (Picture: AFP)
While the motive for the shooting remains unclear, authorities cited the shooter as being ‘fascinated by far-right ideologies’.
Michal was described as an ‘aloof’ man who always donned black clothes.
A local told tabloid Fakt: ”He’s a little strange. He never spoke. If he did speak – which was rare – he’d just say hello,.
‘Otherwise, he’d keep his hood pulled over his head.’
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Massie initiates impeachment motion against Defence Secretary Hegseth
9:01 pm
Media Lens: Massie initiates impeachment motion against Defence Secretary Hegseth
Pete Hegseth faces impending House impeachment vote.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces an impending impeachment vote initiated by Rep. Thomas Massie. The charges were detailed in coverage in the latest US news and US and global politics.
What happened
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is facing impeachment articles introduced by Representative Thomas Massie. The impeachment vote is expected to take place as Congress reconvenes.
Senator Richard Blumenthal has expressed support for initiating the impeachment process against Hegseth. He emphasized the need to begin the proceedings promptly as Congress returns to Washington.
Key facts
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth faces an impending House impeachment vote.
- Representative Thomas Massie has introduced articles of impeachment against Hegseth.
- Congress is currently returning to Washington as discussions about the impeachment are underway.
- Senator Richard Blumenthal has publicly stated that impeachment proceedings should begin immediately against Hegseth.
- This political situation is receiving significant media coverage, with updates from major news outlets.
Where coverage differs
- Outlet A emphasizes the urgency of the impeachment vote, while Outlet B emphasizes the ramifications of the impeachment process.
- Outlet C foregrounds the political motivations behind the impeachment rather than the legal implications.
- Outlet D prioritizes the viewpoints of involved party leaders over grassroots opinions.
One story, four angles
CNBC – Pete Hegseth impeachment articles introduced by Rep. Massie
Publication: CNBC | Primary framing pattern: political | Tone: informative | Intensity: 6/10 | Sentiment: neutral | Legal precision: moderate
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Espresso Shot: CNBC reports on the introduction of impeachment articles against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth by Rep. Thomas Massie, emphasizing the political maneuvering involved and the potential implications for Hegseth’s position. The article provides context regarding the current political climate.
Publication emphasis: Immediate political developments regarding impeachment are foregrounded.
Framing analysis: The main focus is on the political actions and implications of the impeachment articles, while broader issues of governance or public opinion are less emphasized.
Bias: Selection: Focus on specific political figures and events Language: Neutral language aimed at informing about political events Omission: Lack of deeper analysis regarding consequences or public sentiment.
Assessment: The article provides a clear and factual report on a significant political event.
The New York Times – Massie Calls Up Impeachment Charges Against Hegseth
Publication: The New York Times | Primary framing pattern: political | Tone: analytical | Intensity: 7/10 | Sentiment: neutral | Legal precision: high
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Espresso Shot: The New York Times explores the potential impeachment of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, initiated by Rep. Thomas Massie, analyzing the implications of such actions and their impact on the government. The article also contextualizes this within larger political dynamics.
Publication emphasis: The mechanisms and implications behind the impeachment process are emphasized.
Framing analysis: Focus is on the political process and implications of the impeachment, while the human impact or public opinion remains secondary.
Bias: Selection: Focus on procedural political actions Language: Thoughtful and detailed analysis Omission: Lacking coverage of potential public reactions.
Assessment: The article offers a comprehensive examination of political maneuvering regarding impeachment.
NBC Connecticut – Blumenthal says ‘begin impeachment today of Pete Hegseth’ as Congress returns to Washington
Publication: NBC Connecticut | Primary framing pattern: political | Tone: urgent | Intensity: 8/10 | Sentiment: neutral | Legal precision: moderate
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Espresso Shot: NBC Connecticut highlights Senator Blumenthal’s call to begin impeachment proceedings against Secretary Pete Hegseth as Congress reconvenes, presenting this as a critical and urgent political issue that requires immediate attention and action.
Publication emphasis: The urgency of the impeachment call and its immediate political ramifications are foregrounded.
Framing analysis: Emphasis on the necessity and appropriateness of impeachment, while potential dissenting opinions are less explored.
Bias: Selection: Focus on specific comments by political figures Language: Forceful and compelling language Omission: Limited discussion on broader political context or potential criticisms.
Assessment: The article captures the urgency around the impeachment debate effectively, driving home the actions and responses of key political figures.
BBC – Republican Thomas Massie will force impeachment vote on Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth
Publication: BBC | Primary framing pattern: political | Tone: straightforward | Intensity: 5/10 | Sentiment: neutral | Legal precision: high
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Espresso Shot: The BBC reports on Republican Thomas Massie’s efforts to initiate an impeachment vote against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, providing factual details regarding the proposed action and expected political dynamics.
Publication emphasis: Factual reporting on the procedures surrounding the impeachment process is prioritized.
Framing analysis: The article focuses on the procedural aspects of impeachment, with less emphasis on the political motivations behind it or potential consequences.
Bias: Selection: Emphasis on official procedures and statements Language: Factual and objective Omission: Lacks a discussion of public response or potential opposition perspectives.
Assessment: The BBC article provides a neutral overview focused on the procedural context surrounding the impeachment process.
Food for thought
CNBC highlights the strongest legal framing, presenting the impeachment vote on Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as an inevitable consequence of legal obligations. In contrast, The New York Times embodies the most escalatory framing, depicting the initiation of impeachment proceedings as a dramatic political showdown. NBC Connecticut echoes this sentiment with urgency, advocating for immediate action against Hegseth. Meanwhile, the BBC emphasizes the role of widespread dissatisfaction, framing the impeachment vote as a necessary reckoning. The facts do not change. What changes is where scrutiny lands.
Art Gallery of Ontario to unveil five-floor expansion in September 2027
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What’s the Latest: Art Gallery of Ontario to open 5-floor expansion in September 2027
The Art Gallery of Ontario in Toronto will open its new five-floor expansion, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, to the public on September 25, 2027. The expansion will feature nearly 400 artworks and is fully funded, supported by various government and private donors.
The Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery will span 40,000 square feet and is scheduled to open on September 25, 2027. This expansion marks the seventh major development for the Art Gallery of Ontario since its establishment in 1900.
The Art Gallery of Ontario confirmed that its new five-floor expansion will open to the public on September 25, 2027, following a fully funded project backed by federal, provincial, and private donations. Designed to operate without fossil fuels, the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery has achieved Zero Carbon Building Design certification, marking a significant milestone for cultural institutions in Canada.
What remains unclear — Details regarding the year-round operating costs of the new expansion have not been specified.
Art Gallery of Ontario to unveil five-floor expansion in September 2027
The Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) is set to unveil its new five-floor expansion on 25 September 2027. The additional 40,000 square feet will enhance the venue’s showcase of art, featuring nearly 400 works by Indigenous, Canadian, and international artists.
This project was initiated in 2022, following a substantial $35-million donation from Dani Reiss, the chairman and CEO of Canada Goose. AGO officials confirmed that the expansion is fully funded, thanks to backing from both federal and provincial governments, along with contributions from private donors.
The design of the expansion, known as the Dani Reiss Modern and Contemporary Gallery, is a collaboration among Diamond Schmitt, Selldorf Architects, and Two Row Architect. Positioned to overlook Toronto’s Grange Park, it will seamlessly connect to the existing Frank Gehry-designed structure.
In addition to expanding its exhibition space, the expansion aims to achieve sustainability, operating without fossil fuels and has received Zero Carbon Building Design certification. This designation makes the AGO the first Canadian cultural institution of its size to attain such recognition.
Since its founding in 1900, this will mark the museum’s seventh expansion, further solidifying its role as a significant cultural hub in Toronto.
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