Google has expanded its voluntary buyout programme to employees in five countries as it seeks to control costs while increasing investments in artificial intelligence. The latest offers cover teams in Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Switzerland, giving eligible employees the option to leave with severance packages. A company spokesperson confirmed the expansion, saying similar programmes were introduced in selected teams in 2025 before being extended to more countries in June. Google has not disclosed how many employees have accepted the offers. The programme does not appear to include its DeepMind AI research division or Google Cloud, two businesses where the company is continuing to hire. (PC: Reuters)

The Democratic Party's victory in both chambers of the US Congress could benefit India, experts say. President Donald Trump's power to make major policy decisions may face greater checks from Congress. This could reduce sudden tariff changes and give India more room in trade talks. The proposed interim trade deal aims to cut US tariffs on Indian goods from 25% to 18%. Defence ties between the two countries are also expected to remain strong, as both parties support closer cooperation. However, political deadlock could delay key agreements and create uncertainty in financial markets, affecting the Indian rupee.

US President Donald Trump has admitted that the Iran war contributed to Republican losses in the November 3 midterm elections. He said the conflict pushed up petrol prices and increased financial pressure on American families. However, Trump insisted he would launch the military campaign again to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons. Democrats won control of both the House and Senate. Vice-President JD Vance also blamed the war, rising living costs and US ties with Israel for the defeat. Meanwhile, the International Atomic Energy Agency said it could not verify the current status of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile.

Ravi Uppal, co-founder of the Mahadev online betting app, has been arrested in Dubai, officials said on Wednesday. The arrest comes days after his business partner, Sourabh Chandrakar, was extradited from Oman to India. Indian agencies have received information about Uppal’s arrest through unofficial sources. The UAE has not yet sent an official confirmation. Officials are working to speed up his extradition to India. Uppal is accused of managing the betting network’s finances and hawala operations. An Interpol Red Notice was issued against him in October 2023. His questioning is expected to help investigators trace the money trail.

Ukraine's police have released bodycam footage showing two Russian bomb strikes that killed at least 40 people in the village of Komyshuvakha. The attack took place on November 2 in the Zaporizhzhia region. The video shows residents entering an underground shelter after the first strike. Seconds later, another bomb hit the shelter. President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 30 people may still be trapped under the rubble. Ukraine said nine aerial bombs were dropped on the village. Rescue teams are continuing search operations. Russia has not publicly commented on the attack.

11 personnel from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and Fire Services went missing after two rescue boats capsized in Telangana’s Khammam district on Wednesday. The teams were trying to rescue five fishermen trapped in the overflowing Bethupalli tank. Three firefighters had earlier become stranded after their boat developed a technical problem. They were later rescued. However, both boats carrying the rescue teams capsized in strong currents. NDRF teams have joined the search operation. Drones will also be used to drop life jackets. Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy has directed officials to speed up rescue efforts.

US Vice President JD Vance has attributed the Republican Party’s losses in the 2026 midterm elections partly to the war in Iran, saying some voters who backed Donald Trump and Vance in 2024 switched to Democrats. In a lengthy post on X, Vance argued that the defeat was not primarily caused by poor Republican turnout but by changing voter preferences. He said Republican supporters had turned out in substantial numbers, but many were dissatisfied with the administration and chose Democratic candidates instead. Vance added that Republican data analysts had monitored turnout and voter composition ahead of the election, with their findings indicating that supporters were participating in sufficient numbers. (PC: Reuters)

London-based multicultural marketing and media agency Here&Now365 has been named Media Agency of the Year at the Asian Media Awards 2026, recognising its work connecting brands, public institutions and organisations with Britain's diverse communities. The award was presented at the 14th Asian Media Awards ceremony in Manchester on October 30. The event brought together journalists, broadcasters, content creators and creative industry professionals from across the UK. The awards celebrate achievements in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, public relations and communications serving British Asian audiences. The recognition comes as Here&Now365 marks more than 20 years in the multicultural marketing industry. The agency has worked with public-sector bodies, global brands, tourism boards and community organisations. Reacting to the award, founder Manish Tiwari said, "We are truly honoured to be named Media Agency of the Year. My heartfelt thanks go to the organisers and judges of the Asian Media Awards for recognising the work we have been building for more than 20 years." Reflecting on the agency's journey, Tiwari said, "When we started Here&Now365, the idea that multicultural audiences deserved dedicated, culturally aware communication was still on the margins. Today it sits at the heart of how Britain's leading brands and institutions speak to the country." He also credited the agency's team, clients and media partners for their contribution, adding, "This award belongs to our team, who bring passion and cultural insight to every campaign, and to our clients and media partners, who trust us with their stories. We dedicate it to the communities we serve."

Iran has exempted merchant vessels from India, China, Iraq and Qatar from restrictions on navigating the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian lawmaker Amir Hayat-Moghaddam. He said the move would facilitate Indian medicine imports, while exemptions for Chinese ships aim to secure Beijing’s political support. Iran charges transit fees to Indian and Chinese vessels but allows Qatari ships to pass free. The development is significant for India, which imports nearly 90% of its crude oil, with around 30% passing through the strait. The waterway also carries 90% of India’s LPG imports and over half its LNG imports from Qatar and the UAE, alongside vital fertiliser supplies. (PC: Reuters)

The Democrats’ sweeping victory in the 2026 US midterm elections could give India greater negotiating space amid tensions with Washington over trade, Russian oil purchases and immigration. Former Indian ambassadors believe Democratic control of Congress may impose checks on President Donald Trump’s unilateral decisions, including proposed penalties on countries buying Russian crude and restrictions affecting skilled foreign workers. However, differences over energy security and defence imports are unlikely to disappear. Views differ on the India-US trade deal: one former envoy expects renewed American pressure, while another believes Washington’s focus on upcoming presidential primaries could delay negotiations. The results offer New Delhi breathing room, but not a resolution of bilateral differences. (PC: NDTV)