US stocks rise, dollar slides as investors digest Democrats’ midterm victories
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

Government bond yields fall while initial fears ease over impact of election results on world’s biggest economy

• Business live – latest updates

• US midterm elections – live updates

• After US midterms, what will lame duck Trump mean for global economy?

US stocks have surged as investors digest the Democrats’ victories in the midterm elections, lifted by hopes that Donald Trump’s turbulent policymaking would be restrained and shaking off initial fears about the impact on growth in the world’s largest economy.

The Dow Jones rose close to 3%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq and the benchmark S&P 500 gained close to 2% each by midday in New York, turning around overnight falls in US stock futures after the news that the Democratic party won control of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

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Don’t let Poundland owner maximise its return at our expense, suppliers say
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

British companies that supply US-owned budget retailer face millions of pounds’ worth of losses if it collapses

Suppliers facing millions of pounds in losses if Poundland collapses have said the chain’s US owner should not be permitted to maximise its return at their expense, as ministers attempt to intervene in the situation.

The fate of the retail chain, its 12,000 staff and about 2,000 suppliers remains uncertain after it filed a notice of intention to appoint administrators at the high court last Thursday.

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UK interest rates increase expected after services sector activity accelerates
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

Purchasing manager’s index at eight-month high, bolstered by spending on AI as firms regain momentum lost to Iran war

The Bank of England is expected to raise interest rates on Thursday after a closely watched survey showed growth across the UK’s services sector leapt last month to an eight-month high, bolstered by spending on artificial intelligence.

S&P Global’s survey of the services sector in October showed businesses regained much of the momentum they lost after the start of the Iran war, but also felt the impact of a renewed spurt of input price inflation, which accelerated to a five-month high.

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‘It’s just vape shops, nail shops, charity shops’: can anything save the British high street?
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

It’s 20 years since Jo and Richard Hill bought anything in Rotherham town centre. Why have they and so many locals abandoned it for the nearest retail park – and what would it take to change their minds?

On 22 May 1987, retail history was made in Rotherham. Parkgate Retail World, thought at the time to be the UK’s largest open-air shopping centre, welcomed shoppers for some one-stop retail therapy. The official opening was marked in swanky fashion with a “breathtaking” display from Marlboro’s red-and-white branded biplanes, followed by a “spectacular” laser show, the first in South Yorkshire. Helen Worth – Coronation Street’s Gail Platt – cut the ribbon before jovial local people jostled to fill their car boots with goods from Comet, Jolly Giant and Poundstretcher.

Almost 40 years on, the razzle is a bit less dazzling. Parkgate, as the retail park is called now, looks like any large big-box outdoor shopping centre you might find on urban fringes. There’s a Primark, a Sports Direct and a Matalan, plus (of course) a Frankie & Benny’s. Shoppers still seem to love it. “I think it’s ideal. It’s got everything here,” says Robert Gordon. The 66-year-old retired factory production manager had popped to Pets at Home to get a cupcake and toy for his dog Bruno’s fourth birthday.

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UK to deploy facial recognition in biggest-ever immigration crackdown
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

Documents show Home Office developing programme to use technology for general immigration enforcement

The Home Office is preparing to deploy facial recognition technology at transport hubs and public events as part of the biggest immigration enforcement crackdown in British history.

Policy documents show the government has been developing a programme to deploy live facial recognition (LFR) cameras for “general immigration enforcement”, including non-criminal immigration offences.

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Hackers behind $6.3bn Binance heist ‘used malware and bogus job interviews’
Posted on Tuesday November 03, 2026

Firm reveals details about how its cryptocurrency exchange was compromised, saying operation began in June

The hackers behind the $6.3bn (£4.7bn) Binance heist used bogus job interviews, malicious software and an internal AI tool, the company has revealed.

The world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange was compromised in an operation that began with an inadvertent download of malware in June, led to a recruitment scam in September and then a raid last week of “hot wallets” where billions of dollars worth of crypto-assets were taken.

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Champions League: Slavia Prague v Arsenal, RB Leipzig v Manchester City and more – live
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

• All the latest from the seven 8pm GMT kick-offs

• Kane’s Ballon d’Or party gives way to hangover for Bayern

• Live scores | League phase standings | Football Daily

In more logical news, Kylian Mbappé has found the net for Real Madrid, so Mourinho’s men could still dig themselves out of an almighty Champions League hole.

Not many would have put money on neither Liverpool nor Madrid winning their games this evening, mind. Less than 10 minutes remaining in both.

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Muriqi caps Fenerbahce comeback to make Liverpool pay for defensive lapses
Posted on Wednesday November 04, 2026

Andoni Iraola arrived in Istanbul hoping to plug Liverpool’s flaws in attack only for holes to appear at the opposite end of the pitch. Fenerbahce capitalised on a late defensive collapse to launch Dirk Kuyt’s interim spell with a tumultuous victory and end Liverpool’s 100% run in the Champions League.

Liverpool’s second successive defeat will infuriate Iraola as much as the manner of Sunday’s loss to Arsenal. It was careless and easily avoidable. The visitors led twice, through Trey Nyoni’s first senior goal and a header from substitute Alexander Isak, only for Fenerbahce to level swiftly on both occasions and snatch a late winner when Vedat Muriqi punished weak defending from several in red. Bradley Barcola’s anonymous display up front was an added headache for the Liverpool head coach.

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