US defence secretary Pete Hegseth dismisses impeachment push as a 'farce'

SBS News - Nov 10, 2026

Impeachment proceedings against Pete Hegseth would need a two-thirds senate majority, even if the house voted in favour — a tall order.

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Alleged spy plot targeting CEO Jensen Huang raises questions about Nvidia's future

Nov 10, 2026

Alleged spy plot targeting CEO Jensen Huang raises questions about Nvidia's future

SAN FRANCISCO — Investigations into whether Nvidia’s CEO was the target of a “foreign intelligence effort" are raising questions about the future of the chipmaker, which became one of the world’s most valuable companies by providing technology that powered the artificial intelligence boom. Jensen Huang has been synonymous with Nvidia since he co-founded it more than 30 years ago. The company now faces potential damage to its reputation and stock price, uncertainty over a possible successor and new scrutiny from shareholders and elected officials. President Donald Trump said Monday that the FBI is investigating Huang’s affair with an alleged Chinese government agent. But Trump said he spoke with the executive and believes Huang "had absolutely no idea that the person in question was a spy.” With a valuation of more than $4 trillion, the company has outsized importance as a Wall Street behemoth and provider of chips relied upon by AI developers. Law enforcement and members of Congress, as well as Nvidia's board and shareholders, are all asking questions about the affair. The c

US lawmakers urge new Epstein investigations in damning report

Nov 10, 2026

US lawmakers urge new Epstein investigations in damning report

WASHINGTON — U.S. lawmakers called Tuesday for further criminal investigations into associates of notorious sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, in a scathing report blaming prosecutors, financial institutions and powerful connections for allowing his abuse to continue for years. The Epstein saga has dogged President Donald Trump, who was friends with the financier for years but has denied any knowledge of his crimes. Accusations that Trump covered up much of the investigation triggered the first major rift with the president's support base after he returned to the White House. The Republican-led House Oversight Committee urged the Justice Department to interview or reinterview key witnesses and pursue allegations against two prominent men who associated with the disgraced financier. Former Miami Beach mayor Philip Levine and French celebrity hairstylist Frederic Fekkai both deny allegations of sexual assault -- referred to federal prosecutors by the committee in June -- from Epstein's longtime assistant Sarah Kellen. The report also called for further questioning of another longtime Epstein

What we know — and what we don't — as Nvidia investigates alleged spy plot involving CEO

Nov 10, 2026

What we know — and what we don't — as Nvidia investigates alleged spy plot involving CEO

Stunning allegations of a spy plot have prompted investigations of Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's affair with a purported Chinese government agent. Over the weekend, Huang admitted to having an extramarital affair, and acknowledged that news reports surrounding the relationship and potential national security concerns led Nvidia's board to investigate. He and his chipmaking company did not name the person he had been intimate with, but The New York Times identified her as business executive and Chinese citizen Alice Huang. The outlet said U.S. intelligence determined she was gathering information for Beijing. China’s Foreign Ministry has dismissed the spying allegations, saying on Monday they amount to a smear campaign. Many questions remain unanswered. But the scandal is already bringing turmoil to Nvidia, whose high-end chips have emerged as the leading building blocks for artificial intelligence. Huang himself has become a key face in the AI race, both across the industry and often on U.S. President Donald Trump's side in Washington. Trump said the FBI also is looking into the affair, bu

Iran rejects France's 'baseless accusations' on cyberattack

Nov 10, 2026

Iran rejects France's 'baseless accusations' on cyberattack

TEHRAN — Iran on Tuesday said French accusations that it was responsible for cyberattacks on supermarket fridges last month were "baseless." "Iran's foreign ministry categorically rejects the French government's baseless and one-sided accusations against Iran regarding alleged cyber activities in France," the ministry said in a statement. It added that it "strongly condemns this hackneyed policy of levelling accusations against the Islamic republic." Hundreds of French supermarkets were hit in the October 11 and 12 cyberattacks, which raised the temperatures in their refrigerators and freezers, forcing many to throw away entire inventories of perishable food. Similar incidents were then reported in at least 11 other European countries in early November. Along with summoning Iran's ambassador and seeking European-level sanctions, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said Tuesday that Paris would "rule nothing out and will take all measures — including those we may not disclose publicly — that we deem proportionate and necessary to deter any further attacks." Tehran meanwhile said

Wall St falls as hot inflation data fuels rate-hike jitters

Nov 10, 2026

Wall St falls as hot inflation data fuels rate-hike jitters

Wall Street's main indexes retreated on Tuesday, pausing a two-day rebound in tech shares, after a hotter-than-expected October inflation reading reinforced fears that the Federal Reserve could keep interest rates higher for longer. US consumer prices increased more than expected in October, rising 0.4 percent from the previous month, pushing the U.S. 2-year yield up 21.4 basis points for its biggest one-day jump since April last year. "Markets had been pricing out some of the Fed tightening in recent weeks. Now it's probably being forced to contemplate a bit more tightening," said James McCann, senior economist at Edward Jones. Traders are pricing in an almost 99 percent chance of a hike in December, according to the CME FedWatch tool. Among rate-sensitive sectors, real estate and utilities declined over 0.5 percent each, while tech led losses with a 1.8 percent drop. Nvidia slipped 6.3 percent, down for a second straight session, as investors grow concerned over CEO Jensen Huang's future at the chip giant after it initiated an internal probe into spy claims involving Chinese businesswom

UN chief candidate stresses mediation over S. Korea's concerns over peninsula tensions

Nov 10, 2026

UN chief candidate stresses mediation over S. Korea's concerns over peninsula tensions

WASHINGTON — A candidate for the next United Nations secretary-general has emphasized the importance of mediation in addressing international conflicts while responding to South Korea's concerns over tensions on the Korean Peninsula. "Of course, mediation is the most important role of a Secretary General," Feridun Sinirlioglu, a Turkish diplomat currently serving as secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, said during a dialogue with U.N. member states in New York on Friday. During the session, South Korea's representative asked how Sinirlioglu would keep longstanding security issues, including those involving the Korean Peninsula, on the U.N. agenda and help prevent tensions from escalating. Sinirlioglu stressed the need to bring conflicting parties together and help bridge their differences, highlighting the importance of the secretary-general's role as a mediator. He said the secretary-general should be prepared to mediate even between parties at war, acting as a trusted and impartial intermediary through quiet diplomacy to help them reach compr

After fridge hacks, home appliances could be next, warns EU cyber chief

Nov 10, 2026

After fridge hacks, home appliances could be next, warns EU cyber chief

BRUSSELS — After recent attacks on supermarket fridges, home appliances could be next, the EU's cyber chief told AFP on Tuesday, as he urged Europe to invest more to counter growing cyber threats. Supermarkets in at least 12 European countries were hit by cyberattacks in October and November, with France the worst affected. "Security should not and cannot be an afterthought," Juhan Lepassaar, executive director of the EU's cybersecurity agency ENISA, said. "Today it was fridges, tomorrow it could be routers, the day after tomorrow it could be home appliances and so forth." Lepassaar spoke to AFP in Brussels where he unveiled the Athens-based agency's latest biennial report on the state of the EU's cybersecurity. "All incidents can be avoided, but the question is, are we ready to invest to make it happen? Cybersecurity is not cheap," he said, calling on manufacturers to make products that are secure "by design." Cybersecurity is crucial, Lepassaar said, because "every single service that you are depending on as a citizen, as a human being, contains a layer whereby there is a digital eleme

Oil prices hit 2-month lows as US downplays further Iran strikes

Nov 10, 2026

Oil prices hit 2-month lows as US downplays further Iran strikes

NEW YORK — Oil prices slid about 2 percent to fresh two-month lows on Tuesday after U.S. officials downplayed the need for additional military action against Iran, easing fears of additional Middle East supply disruptions. Brent futures fell $1.93, or 2.1 percent, to $90.64 a barrel at 10:28 a.m. ET (1528 GMT), while U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude fell $1.44, or 1.7 percent, to $85.41. That put both crude benchmarks on track for their lowest closes since August 28. On Monday, both contracts closed at their lowest since August 31. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that he told Group of Seven allies that the U.S. economic sanctions and naval blockade are working so well that U.S. President Donald Trump does not need to conduct major combat operations in Iran. Rubio made the comments during a meeting in Paris of foreign ministers from the G7, which comprises Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States, as well as the European Union. On Monday, Trump said he plans to hold off on new military strikes against Iran for the time being after a

Rubio sees 'no need' for major combat operations against Iran

Nov 10, 2026

Rubio sees 'no need' for major combat operations against Iran

PARIS — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday said he saw no need to resume major combat operations against Iran because economic sanctions and other restrictions were working so effectively. "The economic campaign (against Iran) is so devastating that right now there is no need for major combat operations," Rubio said after a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Paris. "That's what I told our allies here today." President Donald Trump "has concluded that for the time being there is no need for major combat operations because we are achieving the same objective by economic means," Rubio said. But if Iran were to cross "red lines" then the "U.S. military stands ready," said Rubio, warning of a "terrible price" for Tehran. European members of the G7 had pressed Rubio at the meeting of foreign ministers of the group in Paris to avoid any new escalation against Iran. In a surprise move, Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani joined talks on the G7 sidelines with four European top diplomats and the Saudi foreign minister hours after meeting Trump to discuss en

Anthropic eyes $1.4 tril. IPO valuation in test of Wall Street's AI fervor

Nov 10, 2026

Anthropic eyes $1.4 tril. IPO valuation in test of Wall Street's AI fervor

Anthropic's blockbuster IPO is set to give the company a valuation of up to $1.4 trillion, slightly short of some investors' expectations amid cooling AI appetite, setting up a defining test of Wall Street's faith in the boom that it helped ignite. The AI lab best known for its Claude chatbot and some of its investors are aiming to raise up to $64.4 billion in the IPO by selling 825 million shares priced between $70 and $78 apiece. Anthropic will also raise $26 billion via a separate private placement deal with cornerstone investors, including Alphabet's Google, Nvidia, Advanced Micro Devices . The company is launching the roadshow for a share sale that is expected to set a benchmark for the sector. At the top of the price range, Anthropic would be valued at about $1.4 trillion on a fully diluted basis, which includes securities such as stock options and restricted stock. On a non-diluted basis, excluding those securities, Anthropic's market value would be about $1 trillion. "By seeking a valuation close to 20 percent below 'market expectations', this allows investors to 'bid up' the IPO

Nvidia heads for $400 bil. 2-day wipeout as CEO affair fallout deepens

Nov 10, 2026

Nvidia heads for $400 bil. 2-day wipeout as CEO affair fallout deepens

Nvidia shares extended losses on Tuesday, putting the chip giant on track to shed more than $470 billion in market value over two sessions as concerns mounted over the fallout from CEO Jensen Huang's affair with a Chinese businesswoman alleged to be a spy for Beijing. The CEO's relationship with Alice Huang helped facilitate shipments of at least $7.5 billion worth of Nvidia chips to Chinese firms, The Information reported on Tuesday, citing two people who know her. Alice Huang and Jensen Huang are not related. The allegations have intensified scrutiny of Nvidia's governance, export-control compliance and reliance on Huang's leadership, adding to investor unease over whether massive spending on artificial intelligence infrastructure will deliver adequate returns. Nvidia's shares fell more than 6 percent following a 4.3 percent drop on Monday, allowing Microsoft to overtake the AI bellwether as the world's second-most valuable company for the first time since June 2025. "The investment debate is whether this remains company-specific or triggers restrictions and disruption across AI infras

US inflation runs hotter than expected as higher prices extend beyond gas station

Nov 10, 2026

US inflation runs hotter than expected as higher prices extend beyond gas station

WASHINGTON — U.S. inflation was higher than expected last month as the rising prices that powered sweeping Democratic victories in last week’s midterm elections appear likely to pose ongoing challenges for the White House and the Federal Reserve. The consumer price index rose 0.4 percent from September to October, the Labor Department said Tuesday, down from 0.6 percent the previous month. The government did not report a yearly inflation rate because last year's government shutdown meant no data was released for October 2025. But excluding the volatile food and energy categories, core prices rose 0.3 percent, the same as the preceding month. Both figures were a tenth of a point higher than forecast, and at an annual rate would be well above the Fed's 2 percent target. The new inflation data heightened concerns that strong consumer and business spending, combined with higher gas prices and supply disruptions stemming from tariffs and global turmoil, are creating increasingly stubborn inflation that could extend beyond temporary spikes in prices at the gas pump. The economy expanded a

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