It's Friday! Here are this week's big stories and some you might have missed
- US tech giant Nvidia has opened an investigation into CEO Jensen Huang after he admitted to having an affair with alleged Chinese spy Alice Huang. US intelligence officials believe Huang was recruited by China state security to gather information on Nvidia's chips, although the Chinese government denies these claims.
- The UK's pop culture scene has been rocked by sexual misconduct controversy surrounding celebrities Russell Brand and David Walliams. On Monday, comedian and actor Brand was sentenced to more than 10 years in jail after being found guilty of rape and sexual assault involving four women. Author and actor Walliams has been accused of grooming and predatory behaviour towards young girls from the early 2000s.
- Qantas has announced cuts to over 850 jobs this week, with many roles being moved offshore to Accenture workers in India. The first cuts will be made in the marketing and finance departments, with changes expected by mid-2027.
Healthcare provider will not offer reproductive services
Concerns are rising over what this will mean for the community’s health / Shutterstock
Catholic healthcare provider Calvary has confirmed it will not offer certain reproductive and community health services in the hospitals it acquires across the Newcastle and Hunter Valley region. The provider follows a Catholic code of ethics that prohibits IVF, elective abortion, gender-reassignment care and voluntary-assisted dying.
COP31 conference underway
The conference will conclude on November 20 / Wikimedia Commons
The 31st United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP31) kicked off this week in Turkey, with more than 190 countries coming together to discuss global action for climate control. A central aim of the meeting, which is jointly hosted by Australia, is a push for electrification of energy and less reliance on fossil fuels.
Eisenkot first option to form Israeli govt as Knesset begins
Eisenkot has until December 6 to form a new government / Wikimedia Commons
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has given retired military general Gadi Eisenkot the first option to form a new government. The decision came after 67 out of the 120 seat Knesset backed him against rival Benjamin Netanyahu in the recent election.
Australian survives helicopter crash
Indonesian authorities are investigating the cause of the crash / Shutterstock
An Australian and New Zealander survived a helicopter crash this week after it nosedived into a river in Indonesia. The two survivors were in the aircraft collecting water to fight fires in Borneo when it crashed.
Lamarre-Condon murder trial continues
Lamarre-Condon's murder trial is likely to continue for about six more weeks / Shutterstock
Alleged murderer Beau Lamarre-Condon has denied stalking and murdering Jesse Baird in cross-examination this week. The ex-cop described killing Baird and new partner Luke Davies as "self-defence", and has denied accusations he planned the death of his former partner.
'Sandpaper-gate’ scandal rekindled
David Warner who was implicated in Sandpaper-gate backed Khawaja’s claims / Flickr
Australian cricketer Usman Khawaja has reignited the 2018 Sandpaper-gate scandal this week, claiming in his new autobiography Sabr, that the entire Australian team knew about the ball-tampering. Khawaja expressed his dismay at how the situation was handled at the time, saying: "It was all of us. Not the batters, not the bowlers, not the staff. All of us.”
David Jones enters receivership
The 188-year-old retailer has not paid rent since September / Shutterstock
Retail giant David Jones has entered receivership after facing ongoing financial troubles. The company’s receiver announced on Wednesday that 19 stores would permanently close, most likely after the Christmas trading period.
Missing Bankstown man’s body found
Police were tipped off to the body left in bushland in Newnes Plateau / Pexels
The body of a missing Bankstown man has been discovered in a shallow grave in NSW’s Central West after a week’s long search. Police are treating 49-year-old Saeed Radpour's death as suspicious given the nature of where his body was found.
Ukraine peace talks in Abu Dhabi
The trilateral meeting marked the first attempt at direct negotiations in nine months / Flickr
Talks between Ukraine, Russia and the US took place this week in Abu Dhabi focused on ending the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was not present at the meeting, described the talks as "constructive,” and is “very happy” with what he hears.
Booker prize winner announced
Harrison received a $95,000 cash prize for his win / Wikimedia Commons
Author John Harrison has claimed the prestigious 2026 Booker Prize for his fiction novel, ‘The End of Everything’, making the 81-year old the oldest recipient of the award. The dystopian novel was described by Booker judge chair Mary Beard as “the politics of now seen through the lens of the future.”
And now for some good news
Man returns home after walk around world
Bushby didn't use any form of transport on his journey / Wikimedia Commons
A 57-year-old man has reunited with his family after spending 28 years walking around the world. Karl Bushby started his journey is Punta Arena, Chile when he was 29 years old, and he walked through 30 countries across four continents. Last week he arrived back in his hometown of Hull where he was met by his mother, his son and his granddaughter who he was meeting for the first time.
