Americas

EU backs direct Greenland internet cable to diversify Europe’s Arctic links

• The EU plans a direct internet cable link to Greenland.
• A future route could continue through Canada to Asia.
• Arctic conditions and installation needs pose major challenges.

The European Union plans to build the first subsea internet cable directly linking Europe and Greenland, with a possible extension through Canada to Japan and South Korea. The route would bypass the United States and could give Europe more secure, diverse connections as relations with some allies have…

Pacific cables flagged as vulnerable; retatrutide eases sleep apnoea

A US commission warns of sabotage risks to cables backed by Google, Meta and Verizon, while trials find retatrutide cuts sleep apnoea symptoms. Chad Gray covers Christina Aguilera, Luigi’s Mansion returns on Switch 2, and Greta Thunberg’s activism draws scrutiny.

Who wrote the 1975 Rod Stewart song, ‘Sailing’?

• Gavin Sutherland wrote “Sailing”.
• Stewart’s version topped the UK chart for four weeks.
• The original was recorded by the Sutherland Brothers.

Rod Stewart did not write “Sailing”, the song most closely associated with his 1975 hit. It was written by Gavin Sutherland, bassist for the Sutherland Brothers, whose 1972 recording Stewart discovered after his girlfriend recommended the band. Stewart recorded his version at Muscle Shoals Sound Studios in Alabama…

Who played the synth on Van Halen’s 1983 hit ‘Jump’?

• Eddie Van Halen played the synthesiser on ‘Jump’.
• The melody had been taking shape since 1981.
• The hit became Van Halen’s only US Hot 100 number one.

Van Halen’s 1983 hit ‘Jump’ helped turn the band into American pop-rock superstars by combining their hard-rock sound with prominent synthesiser chords. The article says guitarist Eddie Van Halen played the keyboard part, and that the song’s success shaped the band’s sound for the rest of the decade.…

Crowley holds 7-point lead over Tiffany in new Wisconsin gubernatorial poll 

• Crowley led Tiffany 51% to 44% among likely voters.
• His lead grew from three points in September to seven in October.
• The poll was a snapshot of voter intentions before the election.

A Marquette Law School poll released on 28 October 2026 put Democrat David Crowley seven percentage points ahead of Republican Tom Tiffany in Wisconsin’s governor’s race. Crowley, the Milwaukee County executive, had 51% support among likely voters, against 44% for Tiffany, a US representative; 4% were undecided. In…

In 1995, Paul Newman explained why Clint Eastwood was out of his league: “It’s not difficult for some”

• Newman said directing himself was difficult.
• Eastwood often directed while starring.
• Newman directed five features; Eastwood directed 25.

Paul Newman said in 1995 that he found it difficult to direct himself while acting, unlike Clint Eastwood, who had successfully combined the two roles across much of his directing career. The comparison highlights how the two stars, close in age and early career timing, took different approaches…

In 1975, Don Henley didn’t want the Eagles to release a song. Today, it’s considered a classic

• “Best of My Love” became the Eagles’ first number-one hit.
• Henley wanted the band to pursue a harder rock sound.
• The ballad’s success brought fans but underscored that tension.

Don Henley was initially reluctant to release the Eagles’ “Best of My Love”, despite it becoming their first US number-one hit. Its success mattered because it expanded the band’s audience while highlighting a tension between the mellow sound fans embraced and the harder-edged rock direction Henley wanted to…

Kennedy eases restrictions on six unproven peptides despite FDA safety concerns

• Kennedy has eased enforcement for pharmacies selling six unproven peptides.
• FDA scientists say evidence of safety and effectiveness is insufficient.
• Several panel members who supported the peptides had industry ties.

US Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy has directed the government to stop enforcing restrictions that prevented specialty pharmacies from making and selling six unproven peptides. The move bypasses the FDA’s 2023 action, despite agency scientists’ concerns that there is not enough evidence to establish whether the drugs work…

Chinese Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Variant’ Lands North American, European and Asian Deals (EXCLUSIVE)

• “Variant” has landed distribution deals in multiple regions.
• The sci-fi thriller follows a survivor facing an alien threat 20 years later.
• Cappu Films is still negotiating for territories left open.

Chinese sci-fi action thriller “Variant”, directed by Qilin Li, has secured distribution deals across North America, Europe, Asia and Latin America. The sales company Cappu Films announced the agreements at TIFFCOM, expanding the film’s reach while it continues to seek buyers in territories still available. The story follows…

TV Ratings: Why Fox News Suffered Its Largest Pre-Election Month Drop in the Past Decade

• Fox News kept its cable news lead despite a record pre-election audience drop.
• Primetime viewers fell 28 per cent year on year.
• CNN and MS NOW gained viewers in key demographics.

Fox News remained the most-watched US cable news network in October 2026, but its audience fell more sharply than in any pre-election month over the past decade. The decline came as rivals MS NOW and CNN gained viewers year on year, making the figures a notable shift in…