California billionaire tax measure defeated in contentious vote

South China Morning Post - Nov 10, 2026

A billionaire tax that US Senator Bernie Sanders and other progressives championed as an antidote to economic inequality and a potential model for the rest of the country was defeated in California, US media projected on Monday. Proponents had estimated Prop 40 would raise US$100 billion in revenue, most of which would have been earmarked for healthcare programmes to offset federal funding cuts designed to pay for tax breaks enacted last year under President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful...

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Senate weighs sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections
Nov 10, 2026
Senate weighs sweeping energy legislation in first major action since midterm elections

WASHINGTON — The Senate on Monday is set to take up bipartisan legislation aimed at speeding up permitting reviews for data centers and other infrastructure projects, in the first major action since last week’s election that soundly repudiated President Donald Trump and congressional Republicans. The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote on the bill, which senators and the president have pushed as officials seek to meet growing demand for electricity and other forms of energy that now faces yearslong delays in getting to the grid. The legislation’s sweeping changes would shorten the timeline to get big energy projects started — both for clean energy and fossil fuel projects — and make sure data centers pay for the energy they use. Anger over artificial intelligence data centers and rising electricity helped usher in a wave of Democrats pledging to clamp down on the massive, energy-hungry structures. Trump urged senators to vote for it, calling it a “BIG WIN for U.S. ENERGY INDEPENDENCE and DOMINANCE.” in a social media post on Sunday. The bill will “ensure that we

Oil falls almost 5% as Trump signals restraint on Iran
Nov 10, 2026
Oil falls almost 5% as Trump signals restraint on Iran

LONDON — Brent crude futures were down almost 5 percent on Monday after hitting their lowest since early September, after U.S. President Donald Trump downplayed the likelihood of renewed strikes on Iran, though attacks continued on ships near the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures were down $4.57, or 4.65 percent, at $93.75 a barrel by 12:04 p.m. EDT (1704 GMT). Their session low was $92.80 a barrel. U.S. West Texas Intermediate futures fell $3.19, or 3.51 percent, to $87.64. The Brent benchmark plunged by 16 percent last week and touched a two-month low of $93.22, its steepest weekly drop since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, Trump said he was highly unlikely to order fresh attacks on Iran as long as talks to end the conflict progressed. Still, both countries reported that shipping had been hit in or near the Strait of Hormuz. "This seems to have encouraged sellers on the prospects for peace even while the actual fighting is not slowing down," TACenergy analysts said in a note. Last week, Trump had hinted at a resumption of attacks on Iran, and Tehran vowed to respond

Trump returns to US election fraud claims after initial concession
Nov 10, 2026
Trump returns to US election fraud claims after initial concession

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump renewed baseless allegations of election fraud Monday after Democrats swept both chambers of the U.S. Congress, reversing course just days after saying he would accept the midterm results. "Does anybody really believe that this 'Election' was honest. How could the Polls be so wrong???" Trump wrote on Truth Social, alleging without evidence that large early voting "dumps" had made Republican victories impossible. "It's all about the machines, which are far more important than the voter!" he added. The accusations marked a sharp reversal from Trump's initial acceptance of the outcome. "I am absolutely willing to accept those results," he told The New York Times on election night. The president has repeatedly made unfounded claims of election fraud, most notably following his defeat by Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. "Donald Trump's pathetic return to election denialism was inevitable," said Chuck Schumer, the top Democrat in the U.S. Senate. "He can whine all he wants, but nothing will stop this inescapable truth: For the last two years

IAEA chief welcomes S. Korea's nonproliferation commitment amid nuclear submarine plans
Nov 10, 2026
IAEA chief welcomes S. Korea's nonproliferation commitment amid nuclear submarine plans

WASHINGTON — International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director General Rafael Grossi has welcomed South Korea's commitment to upholding its nuclear nonproliferation obligations as the country pursues plans for nuclear-powered submarines. Grossi made the remarks in a post on X following discussions with Jeong Yeon-doo, South Korean vice foreign minister for strategy and intelligence, on regional and global nuclear nonproliferation issues. "I welcome the Republic of Korea's strong commitment to working closely with IAEA and upholding its non-proliferation obligations, including in the context of its plans for naval nuclear propulsion," Grossi wrote. He described the meeting with Jeong as an "important exchange" on nuclear nonproliferation issues in the region and around the world. Grossi also congratulated South Korea on successfully hosting the International Ministerial Conference on Nuclear Power last month and expressed appreciation for Seoul's continued support for the IAEA and its mission. Seoul unveiled the Jang Bogo N project in May, aiming to domestically develop and build nuclea

Biden scales back book tour as cancer 'slows me down'
Nov 10, 2026
Biden scales back book tour as cancer 'slows me down'

WASHINGTON — Former U.S. president Joe Biden says he is scaling back plans to promote his upcoming memoir as he battles aggressive prostate cancer, acknowledging that the illness sometimes leaves him struggling. The 83-year-old Democrat, whose health was a major issue during his presidency, said Sunday that he would be unable to make as many public appearances as he had hoped ahead of the November 17 release of "Promise Me, America." "Some days are better than others. It hasn't stopped me. But sometimes it slows me down," Biden wrote on X. "What that means is, unfortunately, I won't be able to do as many conversations about my book as I'd hoped. However, I'm hopeful the words on the page speak for themselves." Biden announced in May 2025, four months after leaving the White House, that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that had spread to his bones. He has since undergone radiation and hormone therapy, while his son Hunter said in August that the disease had spread further and was causing considerable pain. Biden struck an optimistic note about his treatment

Pope Leo Mass in Buenos Aires draws record crowd of 2.5 million, Vatican says
Nov 10, 2026
Pope Leo Mass in Buenos Aires draws record crowd of 2.5 million, Vatican says

BUENOS AIRES — Vast crowds thronged one of the main boulevards in Buenos Aires on Monday as Pope Leo rejoiced at the strength of the Catholic Church in South America during an outdoor Mass that officials said drew a record crowd of 2.5 million people on the first papal trip to Argentina in nearly four decades. Argentines stretched for miles down the Avenida del Libertador, waving the white-and-yellow Vatican flag and pressing against security barriers for a glimpse of the pontiff at the largest event yet of the pope's 12-day South American tour, and of his 18-month tenure leading the global Catholic Church. Chants of "Long live Pope Leo!" echoed down the tree-lined street as the pope was driven by in an open-top popemobile under sunny skies. Leo said in his sermon how happy he was to see Catholics in a region that has long been a stronghold for the Church but where it has been losing ground recently to fast-growing evangelical denominations. "It fills my heart with joy to celebrate... with you," said the pope. "My visit to this land of Argentina has allowed me to see on your faces the

Nvidia's shares slide as chip giant probes CEO over spy claims
Nov 10, 2026
Nvidia's shares slide as chip giant probes CEO over spy claims

SEOUL/SYDNEY — Nvidia shares declined on Monday after an internal investigation into whether CEO Jensen Huang had been targeted by a foreign intelligence effort put his future at the AI chipmaker under scrutiny. The internal probe followed a media report that Huang had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman who allegedly passed information to Beijing. Huang told Nvidia's employees that he had been unfaithful to his wife, without disclosing details of the relationship. The investigation, announced on Sunday, has put a spotlight on 63-year-old Huang's future given Nvidia's status as the world's most valuable chipmaker and the CEO's role as the most prolific salesman of the AI boom. The leather-jacketed Huang enjoys rock-star status worldwide, particularly in Asia, where he often mingles freely with fans, taking selfies and signing autographs for his devoted followers. He is Nvidia's fifth-largest shareholder with a roughly 3.6 percent stake, according to LSEG data, and keeps a tight grip on the company through an unusually flat structure in which dozens of executives report di

Nvidia probe into CEO Huang's affair puts spotlight on personal life
Nov 10, 2026
Nvidia probe into CEO Huang's affair puts spotlight on personal life

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has been one of the poster boys for the AI revolution because his company's chips are essential for the technology. Now his personal life is in the spotlight after revelations of an affair with a purported Chinese spy that triggered an investigation by the board. Here's a look at Jensen Huang. Founded in a fast food franchise Nvidia is a tech giant that's worth more than $4 trillion, making it one of the world's most valuable companies. But the company's beginnings more than 30 years ago were decidedly unglamorous. The company got its start when three engineers — Huang, Chris Malachowsky and Curtis Priem — gathered in 1993 at a Denny's diner in San Jose, California, in what's now the heart of Silicon Valley. They discussed building a computer chip that would make graphics for video games faster and more realistic. That conversation, and the ones that followed, led to the founding of Nvidia. Why Denny's? Huang worked at the restaurant when he was young and his time there appears to have played a big role in his early life. On his LinkedIn profile he lists only tw

Chances of Trump-Kim summit 'go up' after US midterms: expert
Nov 10, 2026
Chances of Trump-Kim summit 'go up' after US midterms: expert

WASHINGTON — The chances of another summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un could increase following last week's midterm elections, as Pyongyang may view Trump as a weaker and easier negotiating target following a major Republican defeat, a U.S. expert assessed Monday. "I do think that chances go up of a meeting after the midterm elections," said Victor Cha, Korea chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), during a press briefing held to preview potential agendas and meetings during Trump's upcoming trip to Asia. The trip will take Trump to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit in Manila and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Shenzhen, China. He suggested that Pyongyang may have been waiting until after the midterm elections before considering another meeting with Trump, anticipating that he would be in a weaker political position. "They see Trump as weaker and therefore perhaps more vulnerable and easier target," Cha said. He also pointed to Trump's desire to build his diplomatic leg

Trump's close ties to Nvidia's Huang scrutinized after foreign intelligence concerns
Nov 10, 2026
Trump's close ties to Nvidia's Huang scrutinized after foreign intelligence concerns

WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump's close relationship with embattled Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang came under renewed scrutiny on Monday, after the company said its board was investigating whether the tech executive has been the target of a foreign intelligence effort. Huang is one of Trump's closest allies in Silicon Valley, and the relationship between the two dates to at least 2025. Over the past two years, he has repeatedly voiced support for the administration's agenda and become a regular presence in Washington as Nvidia sought to sell advanced chips to the Chinese market. Advanced chips are the backbone of the U.S. AI boom and government officials have previously tried to restrict China's access to them through export controls to stifle its AI capabilities. Nvidia's board launched its probe after a New York Times report said Huang had a close relationship with a Chinese businesswoman whom U.S. intelligence officials believe passed information to the Chinese government. Nvidia shares hit a seven-month low on Monday. Huang has a direct line to the president. A Reuters reporter s

Hegseth faces expected US House impeachment vote this week
Nov 10, 2026
Hegseth faces expected US House impeachment vote this week

WASHINGTON — Pete Hegseth, the U.S. defense secretary, calls himself the secretary of war, part of his effort to rebrand a military he said was too weak and "woke" when he took office last year. Now, with a House impeachment vote expected this week, he could soon share something in common with an actual secretary of war. William Belknap, who held that title in 1876, became the first, and to date only, civilian leader of the U.S. military to be impeached by Congress. US Representative Thomas Massie, a Kentucky Republican, introduced articles of impeachment on Monday, setting off a two-day clock for an expected House vote on charges including waging war against Iran without congressional approval and other abuses of power. Congressional sources say the resolution may have the simple majority needed to pass the Republican-controlled House before Democrats take over on January 3. Conviction appears unlikely in the Senate, however, where a two-thirds majority is required and Republicans hold 53 of 100 seats. House Speaker Mike Johnson opposed the effort, saying impeachment “in the middle

French officials blame Iran for refrigerator hacks, vow retaliation
Nov 10, 2026
French officials blame Iran for refrigerator hacks, vow retaliation

PARIS — French officials on Monday accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of responsibility for the cyberattacks that knocked out commercial refrigerators and freezers across France last month, saying there would be consequences for Iran. The hacks that struck hundreds of French supermarkets in early October were among the most disruptive cyberattacks of the Iran war that began in February, a conflict that has been marked by scattered incidents of alleged digital disruption. These have included hacks against the Los Angeles transit system in March, against US water treatment plants in July and against ships bound for the United States in August. Iran's mission to the United Nations did not return messages seeking comment. Iran routinely denies carrying out malicious cyber operations. The French announcement was made only minutes after Reuters revealed that investigators privately suspected Iran of being behind the attacks. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot said the Iranian ambassador had been summoned to France's foreign ministry. Barrot also threatened further EU sanctions again

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