A Place In The Sun returned to screens with Ben Hillman back at the helm, but the search for Jacqueline’s dream home on the Greek island of Lefkada took an unexpected turn

A Place In The Sun took an uncomfortable twist when a prospective buyer chose to abandon the viewing after being presented with a particular property.

The popular Channel 4 programme returned on Tuesday (November 3) with Ben Hillman once again presenting. Searching for her ideal residence on the Greek island of Lefkada was Jacqueline, from Shropshire.

She was accompanied by sister-in-law Linda for the hunt and had a maximum budget of £302k for her perfect overseas home: a 2-3 bedroom property with a luxurious pool and scenic views. The hunt didn’t begin particularly well, but when it came to property number four, matters took an unforeseen direction.

The fourth property – which featured three bedrooms and two bathrooms – was merely 60 seconds from a beach. Yet immediately, Jacqueline highlighted how it was “a bit close to the road”. Ben agreed: “It’s a busy road, but think how quickly you could be to different places.”, reports the Express.

Linda then said: “It’s very pretty to look at. It’s an attractive-looking house.” However, Jacqueline added: “That traffic is quite noisy.” Ben asked: “Alright, then hit me with it. What do you want to do? Do you want to move on or investigate further?”.

But for Jacqueline she had witnessed sufficient and replied: “No, I think I’ll give this one a miss. The garden is small but it’s the noise of the traffic, I couldn’t get used to that. Definitely not.”

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Ben added: “It’s too much for you,” in which Jacqueline agreed: “Yeah.” In a voice-over, Ben admitted: “I am a bit disappointed that this beachside house isn’t right for my house hunters.”

Fans at home also reacted to the fourth property, with some slamming Ben for showing them a property so close to a busy road. On X, one person wrote: “What’s the point of showing them a house right next to such a busy junction. Very few people would settle for that noise.”

Someone else quipped: “Speak up Ben we can’t hear you for the traffic.” A third chimed in: “The noise from the road would drive me crazy.”

Another also said: “Instant nope, that is a super busy and loud road about 2ft from your house, there’s also barely any outside space and would you want to be outside with that road noise? Nah no ta.”

A Place In The Sun airs Monday to Friday at 6pm on Channel 4.

Jose Ugarte was ahead of Estuardo Mazariegos in the race for District 9 on the Los Angeles City Council, while in District 3, Barri Worth Girvan and Tim Gaspar were nearly even, according to early returns Tuesday night.

The current council members in both districts — Bob Blumenfield in District 3 and Curren Price in District 9 — are leaving office because of term limits.

From his campaign headquarters in South L.A., Ugarte did not declare victory but said he felt confident he could hang on to the lead. Supporters watched on a big screen as live results rolled in from the county registrar’s website.

“This means everything to me,” Ugarte said. “I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running. There’s a lot of work to be done in the district.”

District 9 has for decades been represented by a Black council member. Both men vying to replace Price are Latino immigrants, reflecting demographic changes in a district that is nearly 80% Latino and that includes the Convention Center and USC.

Despite the shift in representation, both Ugarte and Mazariegos have said they are committed to ensuring Black residents are heard and represented. The 9th District is the poorest in the city and residents face an array of challenges, including homelessness, safety and street cleanliness, according to the candidates.

Mazariegos, who attended a campaign party at Paseo San Miguel, a Salvadoran restaurant, remained optimistic, saying the early returns “show us that when you show up for the community, they show up for you.”

“We still have a lot of votes to count but already you can see the impact of our campaign, increased youth turnout, and so much optimism at the polls,” he said in a statement.

Jose Ugarte at the South L.A. Wetlands Park on Aug. 12.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Ugarte is a former deputy chief of staff for Price, and Mazariegos is co-director of the L.A. chapter of Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment. The most recent campaign finance reports show Ugarte raising $1.1 million in contributions and matching funds, and Mazariegos with about $787,000.

Ugarte’s campaign also has received major outside support through independent expenditure committees, which have no contribution limit but aren’t allowed to coordinate with a candidate’s campaign. His campaign has received more than $2.3 million in independent expenditure support, with funds coming from Airbnb, Uber, the California Apartment Assn. and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 18, which represents workers at the Department of Water and Power.

Estuardo Mazariegos at Los Angeles City Hall on March 17.

(Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Mazariegos, who is endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America’s L.A. chapter, also has received support through several groups running independent expenditure campaigns on his behalf, including United Teachers Los Angeles and the Progressive Era PAC. Special interest groups have spent more than $250,000 supporting his campaign.

Gaspar and Worth Girvan are competing in a west San Fernando Valley district that includes Woodland Hills, Reseda and Canoga Park.

Tim Gaspar outside the Lucky Strike Bowling Alley in Woodland Hills.

(Arwen Clemans / Los Angeles Times)

At a Woodland Hills watch party, Worth Girvan said she was feeling confident about the early returns, which showed her nearly tied with Gaspar.

“I’m extremely full of gratitude,” she said at the Local Peasant restaurant. “For me, it’s always been about the people of the west Valley and making sure we have a voice.”

In a statement, Gaspar said he was encouraged by the early results and the momentum behind his campaign.

“We saw and heard it everyday on the campaign trail,” he said. “The West Valley showed up to have their voices heard on safety, homelessness, and the cost of living. We look forward to the final votes to be counted.”

Gaspar founded an eponymous insurance company in the Valley in 2008, selling it in 2021. He has said he intends to bring a pro-business perspective to City Hall.

Worth Girvan is a longtime public employee. Prior to running, she was L.A. County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath’s district director for three years, and has said that she would leverage her years of experience in the public sector to advocate for the district in City Hall.

Gaspar has outraised Worth Girvan, raising about $1.3 million of individual contributions and matching funds. Worth Girvan raised about $753,000.

Barri Worth Girvan chats wth LAPD Capt. Rudy Lopez during a neighborhood National Night Out event in Canoga Park’s Lanark Park on Aug. 4.

(Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

The race also has received interest from outside groups, with Gaspar’s campaign receiving more than $2.7 million in independent expenditure spending. During the runoff, special interest groups, including IBEW Local 18, the California Apartment Assn. and Uber, were among those that spent a combined $1.3 million supporting his candidacy.

Worth Girvan received about $438,000 in outside contributions during the runoff, with funding mostly from labor unions.

World number one Nelly Korda has claimed her second points-based LPGA player-of-the-year award.

The 28-year-old won four times this year, including the first two majors – The Chevron Championship and the US Women’s Open at Riviera.

The American, who won the award in 2024, is one victory away from qualifying for the LPGA Hall of Fame.

Asked about potentially entering the Hall of Fame, Korda said in June: “I think it’s an amazing accomplishment and it would be one of the best achievements of my career for sure.”

The four-time major winner opened the 2026 LPGA Tour season with a six-tournament stretch where she either won or finished as the runner-up, to open a healthy lead in the points race.

South Korea’s Haeran Ryu also won two majors this year but withdrew from last week’s tournament in Malaysia because of injury.

And with Japan’s Miyu Yamashita and Thailand’s Jeeno Thitikul not entering The Annika next week in Florida, Korda secured the award with three tournaments remaining.

Democrats in the United States have scored a major victory in midterm elections, taking control of both chambers of Congress in a stinging rebuke of President Donald Trump and his Republican Party.

The results are being carefully watched outside the US, as foreign leaders consider how the new political reality in Washington could affect US foreign policy – from the conflict with Iran to the Russia-Ukraine war and trade relations.

Trump himself has acknowledged the US-Israel war on Iran likely impacted his party’s poor performance in the elections, saying voters were probably not ready “for the short-term consequence of the price of gasoline”.

Here are the latest reactions from world leaders, as the scale of the Democratic victory continues to emerge:

Iran

Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who is also the chief negotiator in talks with the US, said voters had rejected conflict.

“Americans said NO TO WAR, and we endorse this message,” wrote Ghalibaf in a post on X.

“If the US govt betrays their public will to serve international paymasters and blackmailers, it will learn our NO comes with a Nightmare,” he added.

Israel

There was no immediate reaction from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a Trump ally whose coalition lost its own majority in Israel’s parliament in elections last week.

However, opposition figure Yair Golan, whose party is in a coalition seeking to replace Netanyahu, said the US vote reveals “just how toxic Netanyahu has become” among US Democrats and Republicans alike.

He warned that if Netanyahu and his far-right government remain in power, Israel would be on “a path toward international sanctions, global isolation, and a confrontation with the United States – our most important friend and ally.”

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid, also part of the anti-Netanyahu coalition, said the US vote effectively ruled out “any possibility of a unity government led by Netanyahu”.

European Union

European Parliament Vice President Christel Schaldemose said the US results left her “cautiously optimistic on Europe’s behalf”.

“Not because everything now ⁠⁠changes for the better, but because it could benefit the support for Ukraine, the green transition, and ⁠⁠relations with the rest of the world,” said Schaldemose in a post on X.

“But the EU must continue the course of standing stronger and standing on its own two feet. That’s not up for debate,” she added.

United Kingdom

Health Minister James Frith stressed that the UK would maintain steady, strong ties with Washington despite an apparent “seismic shift in domestic politics for the Americans”.

“The change of emphasis of power in the States is frequent,” Frith told British media. “But the mainstay of the relationship with the UK Government, as its closest ally, is unwavering and unchanging.”

“So I don’t expect it to change the nature of the relationship at all; it remains very strong,” he added.

France

Finance Minister Roland Lescure said France would wait to see whether Trump, who remains in control of US foreign policy, adjusts his approach.

“Either he decides to rise above the fray – acknowledging that ‌‌changes are necessary, particularly regarding gasoline prices, which directly ‌‌affect people – and, I might add, he tones down his international involvement, or he does not,” Lescure told French TV. “Frankly, this is something we will need to keep an eye on in the ⁠⁠coming days.”

Spain

Left-wing Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the US Democrats’ landslide victory was emblematic of the “unravelling” of the global far right.

“It happened in Brazil. It just happened in the US. And it will soon happen in Spain,” said Sanchez, whose own premiership is at stake in snap elections he called for November 29 .

Sanchez said US voters had rejected policies that “only ‌‌impoverish”, as well as hate, sexism, climate change denialism and “the privileges of the elites”.

Greece

Government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said US-Greek relations would not be affected by the election results.

“Greek-American relations will remain strong,” he told local media. “The United States is our strategic ally, and this will continue for major projects ⁠⁠and all major agreements. Nothing will be affected by this outcome. It is obvious that we respect every outcome. The conclusions are clear.”

Russia

Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stressed the need to wait for the final results of US elections to come into focus, but noted that leaders in the US Democratic Party had a “sharply negative” approach to relations with Moscow.

Russia’s position on Ukraine and broader foreign policy “is not based on short-term considerations and, naturally, does not depend on the fluctuations of the political barometer in other countries,” Ryabkov was quoted by Russian state media as saying.

“We will continue our work in accordance with the directives of the President of the Russian Federation,” he added.

China

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Beijing would continue its “constructive strategic relationship” with the US, stressing that US elections are a “domestic affair”.

“China is willing to work with the US to safeguard and implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state, strengthen communication, properly manage differences and expand cooperation, build a constructive strategic relationship based on respect and equality,” Mao told reporters in Beijing.

Japan

Chief Cabinet Secretary Minoru Kihara said whatever the outcome of the US vote, “the Japan-US alliance the is the cornerstone of Japan’s foreign and security policy.”

“As the international situation becomes turbulent and increasingly uncertain, a strong Japan-US alliance is essential for maximising Japan’s national interests and for peace and stability in the international community,” Kihara said at a press briefing.

South Africa

⁠President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has clashed with Trump over the US president’s promotion of debunked claims of a white genocide in South Africa, said the election marks “a new era in world relations”.

“We have seen that the ⁠⁠Democrats have taken ⁠⁠control of the Senate and of ⁠⁠the House, and ⁠⁠the ⁠⁠people of America have spoken,” Ramaphosa told ‌‌reporters.

Projected season opening date: Nov. 27

What makes it special: Sugar Bowl is an independently-run resort with an old-school, European vibe. Its terrain stretches over four peaks on Donner Summit near Lake Tahoe, varying between steep tree skiing, wide-open groomers, terrain parks and beginner-friendly zones. Season passes and lift tickets are limited here, so the slopes aren’t crowded.

What’s new this season: Sugar Bowl Resort continues a multi-year, $100-million resort development project with major improvements debuting this winter, including a new Village Gondola, a reimagined main lodge and beginner experience, expanded terrain parks and snowmaking on the mountain and enhanced snowmaking at Sugar Rush Tubing.

Lift ticket prices: Dynamic lift ticket pricing, with midweek tickets starting at $99. Sugar Bowl is also introducing new 2-, 3- and 4-day packs. Mountain Collective and Ski California Gold passes honored.

Pro-tip: Sugar Bowl opened with the backing of Walt Disney in 1939, making it one of the oldest ski areas in North America. At the resort, look out for Mt. Disney, along with the Donald Duck run, off the Disney Express chairlift.

Big Brother’s 2026 winner will be crowned in a matter of hours

Big Brother viewers have been left baffled by a revealing clip that wasn’t aired on the main show.

It’s officially finals week in the Big Brother house, with eight housemates still fighting for the 2026 crown. The live finale will air on Thursday (November 5) followed by a reunion episode on Friday (November 6). Frankie is one of the contestants who joined the experiment on day one and has managed to dodge facing eviction over the last eight weeks.

But that doesn’t mean he hasn’t sparked debate among viewers. The 23-year-old has come under fire for sharing conflicting stories about his life back home, with some viewers becoming convinced that he has fabricating stories to help his chances of making it into the final.

Fans have notably caught onto Frankie’s changing narrative about his current relationship. During the first week, he seemed to suggest he was recovering from a breakup, but has more recently been gushing about his girlfriend waiting for him at home. Viewers have now become convinced they were right to suspect Frankie has a gameplan after his audition clip aired on ITV.

Hosts GK Barry and Kate Lawler shared the clip on last night’s (November 3) episode of The Group Chat. In it, Frankie essentially explains that he has joined the experiment with the sole goal of winning, even if that means he has to “play a game”.

He revealed: “I’m not coming in here to lose, at the end of the day. If I have to play a game, I have to play a game. That’s the way it goes. I’m not gonna be obvious with it, it’s gonna be very discreet. It’s gonna be very smart.

“Surprisingly, I’m very emotionally intelligent. I understand people very, very well. So I feel like being in the Big Brother house, people will be very surprised on how I move and how I act. If I am in that position where I’ve got a chance to win this show – which, I’m gonna win this show.”

ITV also aired Catrin, Lynx and Omar’s audition clips. They all admitted that they would love to win the show but Frankie was the only one who openly declared that he would win by any means necessary.

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Fans have quickly gathered on social media to slam the housemate’s “intentions,” with one posting: “FAKE FRANKIE!!! if anyone in that house is performative it’s HIM as we’ve all known since day one #bbuk.”

Someone else agreed: “Frankie admitting in his audition that he will play a game if he has to makes me doubt his intentions even more now […] #bbuk #TheGroupChat.”

A third viewer chimed in: “It’s clear he has had a game plan throughout and is 100% disingenuous. I can’t believe none of the housemates have cottoned on,” with a final person saying: “Hahaha Frankie… you’re not going to win #bbuk.”

Some viewers have defended the reality star and argued that he may have exaggerated his competitive nature to ensure he stood out from other applicants and was selected for the show, suggesting he could win. One person penned: “Frankie is actually so funny. I used all 5 of my votes for him to win #bbuk.”

Big Brother continues tonight at 9pm on ITV2 and ITVX

FROM East European luxury to affordable Spanish aparthotels – the following resorts have all received masses of rave reviews from British customers.

Loveholidays has collated the top hotels most loved by Brits from thousands of customer reviews over the past year – these are the ones that really have the stamp of approval.

Solymar Gran Hotel The One, Spain

This pretty four-star hotel sits on the sandy shores of Arenal Beach in Calpe with incredible beach views and received incredibly high scores from its customers.

Its two freshwater outdoor swimming pools are available year-round and there are plenty of sun loungers too.

The on-site spa has a sauna, steam bath and hot tub.

A seven-night holiday with breakfast and flights from London Stansted on March 1 starts from £639pp.

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Ikos Olivia, Greece

Luxurious five-star Ikos Olivia is an all-inclusive resort set on a the beach in Gerakini, Northern Greece – and it’s another top scorer.

It has three outdoor pools, a spa, six restaurants and lots of activities from watersports to ball games like tennis, beach volleyball and table tennis.

The rooms vary from twin and double with balconies to bungalow suites with a private garden.

A seven-night, all-inclusive holiday with flights from London Gatwick departing on April 12 starts from £2,219pp.

Hotel Wawel Queen, Poland

Visitors love the four-star Hotel Wawel Queen which sits in the heart of Kraków – its location means it is easy to explore Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square.

After a day of exploration, guests can put their feet up in one of the 49 rooms which have heated floors and flatscreen TVs.

There’s one restaurant on-site too which serves buffet-style breakfasts and it offers service during certain hours.

A seven-night break with breakfast including flights from London Stansted on January 16 starts from £599pp.

Club Tuana Fethiye, Turkey

This resort sits on the coastline of Fethiye in Turkey with beautiful views across the bay.

The hotel’s swimming pools are huge and also form part of the waterpark and water slides.

It has a Kids’ Club divided into Mini for ages 4 to 7 and Maxi for ages 8 to 14 – there’s a playground, slide, playhouse and mini-disco too.

A seven-night all-inclusive holiday including flights from London Gatwick on April 22 starts from £649pp.

Hotel Sumratin, Croatia

The luxurious five-star Hotel Sumratin is highlighted as a great choice for couples looking for a holiday in Dubrovnik.

During the summer season, the outdoor swimming pool opens and there are sun loungers and parasols on the sun terrace too.

One visitor wrote in their review “Beautiful! Polite and attentive staff. Gorgeous food. The rooftop bar, our favourite place to unwind in the evening.”

A seven-night holiday including breakfast and flights from London Stansted on March 7 starts from £809pp.

La Pergola Aparthotel, Majorca

The comfortable four-star La Pergola Aparthotel is described as a ‘superb choice for families’.

The accommodation, which for cleanliness is rated 4.9/5, ranges from cosy studios, one and two-bedroom apartments, bungalows and villas.

Children can splash about in the pool or check out the activities at the kids’ club and playground.

A seven-night self-catering holiday with flights from London Stansted on March 9 starts from £469pp.

Sergiani Garden, Greek Islands

This two-star hotel on the island of Crete has been described as ‘first class’, ‘amazing’ and ‘one of the best restaurants in Stalis’.

It’s set in a peaceful location with easy access to the sandy beach; it also has a children’s pool and playground.

It’s near to the popular coastal resort village of Stalis and is within walking distance to the town and beaches.

A seven-night holiday (room only) with flights from London Luton on May 3 starts from £419pp.

Iberostar Selection Anthelia, Tenerife

The luxurious five-star Iberostar Selection Anthelia is an adult-only resort in Costa Adeje.

Everything you need for a holiday is at your fingertips, the resort has four restaurants, five bars, three outdoor swimming pools and a spa.

Guests in their review say the hotel is spacious – and that it still didn’t feel busy even during peak summer holiday season.

A seven-night holiday including breakfast with flights from London Stansted on May 2 starts from £1,069pp.

Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto (Old Town), Poland

Another popular hotel in Poland that makes it onto the list is the 4-star Mercure Krakow Stare Miasto.

It’s in a great spot for exploring Poland’s cultural capital with modern rooms and all the essentials.

It’s on-site Winestone Restaurant provides dinner, drinks at the bar and breakfast.

A seven-night holiday (room only) with flights from London Stansted on January 8 starts from £539pp.

JW Marriott Marquis Hotel Dubai, Dubai

This glam hotel in Dubai is the highest five-star hotel in the world and there’s so much there that guests say there’s actually no need to leave the hotel.

It has multiple restaurants and two heated outdoor swimming pools; to enjoy the sunshine, step onto the sun terrace and take a seat on the loungers.

Its rooms are impressive too – these have panoramic views across the city thanks to their floor to ceiling windows.

A seven-night holiday (room only) with flights from London Gatwick on February 8 starts from £1,649pp.

A ballot measure that would funnel more money to the Los Angeles city Fire Department by raising sales taxes by a half-cent was leading in early returns Tuesday night, along with seven other ballot measures before city voters.

“I’m humbled by the support of the voters,” said Doug Coates, president of United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112, which spearheaded the measure. “We showed up and we did what we needed to do … Thank you to the voters.”

Partial returns also showed L.A. voters turning thumbs up on a City Charter amendment that would allow the City Council to meet just once a week, instead of the thrice-weekly meetings now required.

Measure FD would increase the city’s retail sales tax from 10.25 cents to 10.75 cents per dollar spent, with all of the extra revenue going to the Fire Department. The city still would be required to fund firefighters at its normal rate, meaning the measure would add an estimated $345 million annually to the department’s budget.

Proponents of the measure include the union representing rank-and-file firefighters, who say the department is underfunded. The tax fund is needed to lower response times across the city and increase the number of firefighters, according to the union.

The Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Assn., a nonprofit that advocates for lower taxes, opposed the measure. The organization raised concerns that this would be the third sales tax hike since 2024, costing an average of $86 per person and $345 for a family of four in additional sales taxes each year.

It also was opposed by the union representing Los Angeles Police Department officers, which objected to limiting the revenue to one city department.

The measure that would allow the City Council to meet just once a week was included in Charter Amendment EE. Most City Council members supported it, with Councilmember Tim McOsker noting his time is better spent working in his district.

Councilmember Monica Rodriguez opposed the measure, arguing that having fewer public forums is a disservice to constituents, who would have less time to meaningfully engage with their representatives. She also worried fewer meetings would mean council members would rush through deliberations.

The amendment also would make smaller changes to how the city governs, including giving more power to independent inspectors to conduct audits of the L.A. Police and Fire Departments, and increase the penalties for campaign finance violations.

The number of signatures needed for a ballot referendum also would rise, and ethics commissioners would be barred from City Council or the L.A. Unified Board of Education for five years.

The six other measures were leading by wider margins.

Proposition TE was ahead in early results. Measure ULA, also known as the “mansion tax,” imposes additional taxes on L.A. property sales above $5.4 million. Proposition TE would allow Palisades fire victims who own homes in the area to avoid the tax as long as they sell the property within five years of the disaster.

Charter Amendment LA, which aims to streamline how the city delivers basic services for infrastructure in need of repair, was leading in early results. The measure would reduce the power of the city Board of Public Works and possibly lead to eliminating it.

Charter Amendment PL took a big lead in partial early returns. The measure folds in five proposals, including to consolidate the city’s planning department, to facilitate building and opening businesses in the city.

Charter Amendment PRK, which would double the minimum amount of money earmarked for the Department of Recreation and Parks, had a big early lead in early results. If it passes, the department could receive a minimum of $986 million annually by 2036, up from the current rate that would generate $493 million by that year.

A measure that would make changes to the city’s airports, harbor and Department of Water and Power had a big lead in early results. Charter Amendment PRT would require the Los Angeles World Airport’s board of commissioners to include two members who live in Van Nuys and three who live around LAX.

Charter Amendment SC, which makes small clarifying changes to language surrounding campaign finance rules for the LAUSD Board of Education, also led in early results. Those changes would affect campaign contribution limits, filing deadlines, public disclosures and fundraising windows.

Nov. 3, 2026 11:16 PM PT

HIGH SCHOOL GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
CITY SECTION PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
Semifinals

OPEN DIVISION
#4 Taft d. #1 Venice, 23-25, 22-25, 25-23, 25-16, 15-12
#3 Cleveland d. #2 Palisades, 25-16, 23-25, 25-18, 25-21

DIVISION I
#1 SOCES d. #4 San Pedro, 25-20, 25-15, 25-22
#2 Granada Hills Kennedy d. #11 Lincoln, 3-0

DIVISION II
#1 South East d. #5 Alliance Levine , 25-23, 19-25, 16-25, 28-26, 15-12
#11 Maywood CES d. #7 Verdugo Hills, 14-25, 25-14, 25-23, 25-20

DIVISION III
#4 Wilmington Banning d. #9 Marquez, 25-16, 27-25, 19-25, 25-23
#3 Narbonne d. #18 L.A. Wilson, 25-7, 25-7, 25-23

DIVISION IV
#8 Arleta d. #12 Fairfax, 3-0
#3 Huntington Park d. Legacy, 25-15, 25-17, 25-21

DIVISION V
#8 San Fernando Arroyo d. #21 Discovery, 3-1
#7 Lakeview Charter d. #6 Angelou, 3-1

Note: Finals (all divisions) Fri., Nov. 6 or Sat., Nov. 7 (sites and times TBD).

Democrats have seized control of the United States Congress, winning the Senate and the House of Representatives in a nationwide rebuke of President Donald Trump that is expected to slow the final two years of his term.

In a series of historic firsts, the first Black female governor, the first openly gay male senator, the first Muslim senator, and the first female Native American governor have all won office, securing landmark victories in a vote that delivered resounding gains for the Democratic Party.

The sweeping Democratic gains in Tuesday’s election hand the opposition significant power to block legislation, open wide-ranging investigations into Trump’s administration, and challenge his judicial and senior government appointments.

The results reflect deep public anger over rising living costs, tariffs, and Trump’s confrontation with Iran, which has driven up fuel prices and amplified frustration with an already deeply unpopular president.

A new report from the think tank founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt quantifies the grim realities of the U.S. defense industrial base’s dependence on China for critical rare earth minerals. It also details which weapons systems might face the most impact if that delicate supply relationship breaks down.

The white paper, exclusively obtained from the Special Competitive Studies Project, uses AI intelligence from the supply chain tech firm Exiger to assess how many unique components, identified by National Item Identification Number, or NIIN, contain critical minerals, such as antimony, gallium, germanium and tungsten.

From an assessment of almost nine million parts and 3,000 U.S. military weapon systems, the company identified more than 28,000 unique components  across 1,400 weapons systems containing just these four rare earths. The isolation of these parts is relevant in particular because of a near-term crisis: the expiration of a suspension on Chinese export controls set to take effect in November. Disruption to weapons fielding plans, as well as operational readiness and sustainment activities, according to the white paper, is very much a possibility. Yet according to Kit Conklin, chief strategy and global affairs officer at Exiger, the crisis is already here. 

In an interview with TWZ, he pointed to Japan, which is facing the prospect of a manufacturing halt after China choked off supply of some rare earths to the tune of more than 80% earlier this year.

“There’s no question that right now it’s a crisis for a lot of companies that are trying to get licenses approved by China and just not getting the licenses,” Conklin said. “So there’s real risk to current production, and when I think about us and scaling, whether it’s the drone industrial base or trying to scale our interceptor capacity to 1,000, 2,000, 3,000 interceptors a year, I mean, these are real choke points that we have that are impacting our ability to deliver these to the warfighter right now.”

Among the weapons systems most at risk for supply chain and manufacturing disruption, according to the data, is the vital Virginia-class submarine, which requires more than 300 critical NIINs containing the four elements, including 190 parts requiring germanium.

Germanium, used in optics, night vision systems, EO/IR equipment and more, is a byproduct of zinc ore. In January, the Pentagon announced an $18 million investment in the country’s only germanium production facility in St. George, Utah to expand refining capacity “sevenfold” to more than 20 metric tons annually by an unspecified deadline.

China controls some 68% of the world’s refined germanium. It has a far greater chokehold on gallium, used in semiconductors and solar cells, and especially advanced radars, controlling up to 99% of production. Each Virginia-class sub requires 50 unique parts containing gallium.

China controls about half the production of antimony, used to harden ammunition and to manufacture optics and electronics; and up to 80% of the supply of tungsten, used in manufacturing tools, warheads and heat-resistant components.

While it doesn’t break down components by weight, the report notes that the rare earth requirements for the Virginia-class sub are also considerable by mass: each sub required 9,200 pounds of the elements, while an F-35 Joint Strike Fighter jet requires 900 pounds.

The Virginia-class submarine is America’s only in-production fast-attack nuclear-powered sub that has been in service since 2004. Twenty three of these critical vessels are in service today, or roughly half of the total planned program, with the remaining boats yet to be built. It’s notable in the context of the paper because it has multiple points of exposure to supply chain disruption. Another of these exposure points: its 1,700 mission or safety-critical parts requiring casting, forging or extrusion. As the report lays out, supply chain bottlenecks around limited metal casting, forging and extruding capacity are delaying production timelines and putting manufacturing at risk.

China, again, produces about half of the world’s casting output and “is often the sole option for large castings,” the paper found. The analysis shows that more than half, or nearly 8,000, unique supply items containing steel castings have delivery lead times of more than 36 weeks. More than 9,400 items containing extruded aluminum, about 47% of these parts, have lead times that long.

“Virginia-class submarines, already threatened by U.S. reliance on China for critical minerals, are reportedly also three years behind schedule, potentially due in part to the lack of domestic large-scale casting capacity,” the report finds. An analysis of Navy construction timelines published earlier this year does indeed find that 10 of the 12 Virginia subs now under construction face delays of 36-44 months.

Alarmingly, a recent war game simulation found that the U.S. could not replace ships, planes and missiles lost to combat specifically due to casting and forging shortfalls, the report notes. That’s despite a $2 billion Pentagon initiative launched in 2024 aimed at revitalizing this industry.

Beyond submarines, the report shows that aircraft, including some of the nation’s workhorse fighter jets, face outsized production and sustainment risk due to rare-earth elements and casting/forging dependencies.

The B-2 Spirit bomber – the nation’s only nuclear-armed stealth bomber until fielding begins on the B-21 Raider sometime next year – requires 782 parts containing the four rare-earth elements isolated in the report.

The F/A-18 Hornet family of fighters flown by the Navy and Marine Corps, including the Navy’s Growler electronic warfare variant, tops the list for dependency on steel castings, with 3,800 individual parts requiring the process. Following is the KC-135 Stratotanker, with 2,570 parts. All 10 of the systems requiring the most metal castings for production are aircraft, the analysis shows. The legacy Hornet and the KC-135 have been out of production for decades, while the Navy’s Super Hornet will see its production line go cold in 2027. Any ongoing demand for castings for these systems would thus be in spares and repair parts. 

Military aircraft also represent the highest-need category among weapons systems requiring cadmium plating, a process used to make aerospace components corrosion-resistant.  The domestic supplier base has shrunk due to EPA safety limitations established in 2008. All of the top 10 weapons systems requiring the most cadmium-plated parts are aircraft, with the KC-135 topping the list with 2,780 unique components. The C-130 Hercules transport, B-52 Stratofortress bomber and Galaxy C-5 transport all have more than 2,000 parts.

The B-52, which is undergoing a service life extension to take it into the 2050s – past its century mark – may run into modernization delays not only over cadmium-plated and steel-casted components, but also due to overly rigid military specifications, which increase lead time and delays. The white paper cites the bomber’s rib airfoil and fuel vent valve components, which both have lead times of more than 400 days due in part to production being burdened with dozens of mil-spec compliance requirements, which the authors say have not kept pace with today’s commercial practices.

“The requirement for a part to meet so many mil-specs, if not reasonably necessary, may limit the number of possible suppliers of that part, potentially increasing its lead time and bottlenecking production,” they write. “For the B-52, this could inhibit current modernization efforts intended to keep the airplane operational through the 2050s.”

A final risk the paper addresses is workforce shortages and dangers from limited suppliers creating single points of failure. Across defense, the number of small suppliers has decreased by 43% in the last decade, it notes. It cites, as a case study, the February 2025 fire that forced the closure of SPS Technologies in Jenkintown, Penn. – a fastener maker that produced components for more than 1,000 weapons systems and was deemed critical for 90, including the Nimitz-class carrier, the F/A-18 fighter and the M1 Abrams tank. For systems including the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile and the MH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, the facility was a single-source supplier.

With operations offline until at least 2028, the supply chain has been “actively disrupted” due to the outage of just one facility, according to the paper.

“This case underscores the risk of single sourcing in the defense industrial base and the need to qualify alternate sources to avoid such significant chokepoints,” the authors write.

The paper hails work that has already begun to invest in domestic critical minerals production and shore up the defense industrial base. But it does hint that these efforts may be too late to avoid a crash if China shuts off or severely reduces exports. The paper notes that, on average, it takes the U.S. 29 years to open a new mine. The U.S. has one established domestic mine: The Mountain Pass Rare Earth Mine and Processing Facility, just outside of Las Vegas. Initially established in 1952 and reopened in 2018 after a long hiatus, it now produces more than 50,000 tons of rare earth oxides annually. Last year, for the first time in seven decades, a new domestic rare-earth mine opened in Wyoming, stating plans to start producing ores extracted from coal, including gallium and germanium, by 2029. Production is projected to total 456 tons of rare earths per year. The project had been in development for more than a decade before opening. 

Conklin said a July executive order aimed at developing domestic production of rare earths while collecting data on what elements systems required created opportunities for smart policy creation – perhaps in the next National Defense Authorization Act – around holistically attacking the problem. 

“I would love for us to figure out a way to get out of thinking about these supply chain risks system by system. We tend to have disparate requirements to look at the nuclear triad or subs or interceptors,” he said. “I think with the executive order that came out earlier this year, there’s a real opportunity for Congress to legislate on some of these issues beyond just figuring out what the risk [is] for antimony in the sub industrial base, and thinking about it a little bit more holistically.”

One potential solution he proposed: an agency within the executive branch (led, perhaps, by a critical minerals czar) who can coordinate production needs and resourcing and develop the most efficient pathways to secure needed materials.

While no U.S. defense manufacturer has yet publicly cited manufacturing disruptions due to rare earth availability, signs are increasing that the federal government is taking supply concerns seriously. In addition to Project Vault, a $12 billion White House initiative announced in February that would create a strategic stockpile of rare earths akin to existing stockpiles of critical medical supplies and petroleum, the U.S. Army has begun extending long-term leases on military land to companies seeking to build critical mineral processing facilities.

Conklin said he doesn’t anticipate major changes in rare earth exports between now and the end of the year, describing the U.S.-China supply relationship as “in a bit of a détente.” That said, with new policies pending, we could be only days away from new revelations about the extent of the impact of these materials on the defense manufacturing enterprise.

Contact the editor: Tyler@twz.com

The provided text discusses National Unity Day in Russia, a public holiday observed annually on November fourth. Established in two thousand and four, this commemoration marks the historical liberation of Moscow from Polish forces in sixteen twelve, which successfully concluded a turbulent era of foreign occupation. According to President Vladimir Putin, the holiday honors the collective action of Russian citizens who formed a volunteer militia to rescue their homeland from collapse and restore a strong government. Furthermore, the source highlights the nation’s diverse demographics, noting that Russia encompasses one hundred ninety distinct ethnic groups alongside a multifaceted religious landscape featuring Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism.

EXCLUSIVE Strictly judge Anton Du Beke says a big name is ready to leave the hit BBC One Dance show saying, ‘It’s getting a bit much.’

Anton Du Beke has shocked Strictly Come Dancing fans by revealing a big name star is looking to waltz away from the BBC series for good.

The former pro dancer who is now an established judge on the series, revealed that one famous face on the show has already spoken to him about potentially leaving at the end of the 2026 series. His comments, as he promoted his new memoir Steps In Time, are sure to start a guessing game amongst fans.

Speaking on stage in Bath, Anton, 60, said: “I spoke to somebody the other day and they were like ‘It’s getting a bit much’.

“It’s somebody who’s been on it not that long, a little while, and I understood that. I thought about it for a while and I wondered if they will be on it or whether they will decide to step away or carry on.”

The comments could refer to a number of the new pro dancers or the new show hosts, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, who only joined this year.

There have also been reports than judge Shirley Ballas may consider walking away from the UK version of the show if she landed a full time role on US series Dancing With The Stars. She was recently a guest judge on the series but insisted in an interview last month she was “100 percent not leaving Strictly”.

Anton is not seemingly referring fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood, as the pair still love being on the show and are veterans having been on the series since it began in 2004. On his love for Strictly, Anton said: “I was there from Day One. Craig and I, we are the only ones left. I am so proud of that. It is one of my greatest things.

“I am so proud to have been on the show since the beginning and still loving it as well. I love it as much now as I always have. It is the most brilliant show. I love being a judge. I loved being a professional.

Referring to the late great former host Bruce Forsyth, he added: “I loved working with Brucie. He was my hero growing up. Brucie would come out and do his own warm up and I used to stand in the wings and watch him before the show began. I watched him every week for about 15 years. He was a genius.”

Anton was speaking at the Bath Forum to promote his book Steps In Time, his first memoir. The book, which is released tomorrow, is described by publishers as a “coming-of-age story” which reflects on Anton’s youth, and his rise as a pro dancer before then joining Strictly and becoming a TV star.

He left school as a teenager with no qualifications and took on a variety of jobs to pay for dance classes. after competing as a pro he then hit the bigtime when he landed a spot on Strictly. Once there he danced with celebrities including Kate Garraway, Ruth Langsford, Jerry Hall, Judy Murray and the late Ann Widdecombe.

* Steps In Time by Anton Du Beke is out on November 5 from Blink Publishing.

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Marissa Roy is on track to become Los Angeles’ next city attorney after jumping out to a significant lead over L.A. County prosecutor John McKinney based on early returns.

Roy, 34, a deputy state attorney general, campaigned on a promise to convert the city attorney’s office into a massive “public interest law firm,” vowing to champion renters and defend Angelenos from an increasingly hostile White House.

Roy, a coalition-builder, had long been the favorite in the race, leading McKinney by double digits in polls leading up to Tuesday. She won the June primary with more than 40% of the vote.

Roy and McKinney’s head-to-head race came after voters and powerful city unions turned on the incumbent, Hydee Feldstein Soto, whose June primary defeat marked the first time a sitting L.A. elected official failed to advance to a general election in nearly a century.

Supporters at Roy’s watch party at the downtown Audio Graph brewery erupted in cheers when the first batch of results dropped, showing Roy doubling up McKinney’s early vote total. The mood was ebullient as the first batch of returns trickled in, buoyed by dramatic wins for Democrats across the country and a better than expected early lead for their candidate.

Roy arrived around 9 p.m. in a plum-colored dress, her arms stacked with bangles that rang as she embraced supporters and took the stage.

“I was planning on hedging and saying, ‘It looks like we’re winning,’ but I think we won!” Roy told the crowd to whoops and cheers.

Roy ran to the left of her opponent and tried to paint him as the preferred choice of Republicans in L.A. County. McKinney is a lifelong Democrat and has been critical of President Trump.

At Hill Street bar, close to the downtown criminal courthouse where McKinney has built his career, supporters swayed to smooth jazz and Top 40 radio hits, nursing cocktails and betraying no reaction to the dismal early returns.

In a brief interview outside the bar, McKinney remained positive and said he always knew he faced an uphill battle. He announced his candidacy long after Roy and Feldstein Soto began their campaigns, yet still surged to a surprise second-place finish in June. He said he was proud he was able to inject discussion of public safety issues and real strategies for solving homelessness into the race.

“I got into this race nine months ago because the people of Los Angeles deserve better,” he said.

Although he said he had “no bitterness” toward Roy and wished her the best of luck, he did express disappointment at the efforts her campaign and some of her supporters took to incorrectly paint him as a conservative.

“I just felt that it was very misleading … it’s not a political position. It’s not a partisan position,” he said.

The candidates were a study in contrasts: Roy is a stylish progressive with savvy social media campaign videos, while McKinney is a stoic law-and-order-type. They also offered voters starkly different plans for leading the city attorney’s office.

A core part of the California Department of Justice legal team that won a historic $17-billion settlement from Meta this summer, Roy ran as a champion of the average Angeleno, promising to hold corporations and landlords accountable for misconduct. A Yale-educated lawyer, she positioned herself as the only candidate who would stand up to Trump administration policies that have harmed Los Angeles.

McKinney, who often noted he has been a lawyer nearly as long as Roy has been alive, leaned on his nearly unblemished record prosecuting some of the region’s most notorious and violent crimes and his compelling personal history. Orphaned at 5, he was raised by an older sister in a household where money was extremely tight and found himself painting houses just to afford college classes. In a 28-year career as an L.A. County prosecutor, McKinney won convictions in a number of high-profile cases, including the murder of rapper Nipsey Hussle.

The veteran prosecutor promised to focus his energy on reducing homelessness and improving public safety through misdemeanors he believed the prior administration under-enforced, including street racing and animal abuse on Skid Row. He also vowed to conduct more aggressive reviews of the way nonprofits that do business with the city spend funds meant to aid unhoused citizens.

Although they aligned in few places, both Roy and McKinney said they would work to bring down the city’s out-of-control legal costs. That figure exploded to nearly $300 million in city payouts last year.

Roy was supported by the L.A. County Democratic Party, the local chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America, Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). McKinney was backed by a coalition of law enforcement unions, four former city attorneys and L.A. County Dist. Atty. Nathan Hochman.

HIGH SCHOOL FLAG FOOTBALL
CITY SECTION PLAYOFFS
TUESDAY’S RESULTS
First Round

DIVISION III
#1 Maywood CES 19, #16 Stern 0
#9 RFK Community 12, #8 Legacy 0
#5 Torres 18, #12 L.A. University 0
#4 Santee 27, #13 Sylmar 0
#3 Palisades 22, #14 Brio College Prep 0
#6 San Fernando Arroyo 37, #11 Orthopaedic 6
#7 Hawkins 19, #10 Hollywood 12
#2 Sotomayor 21, #15 Fairfax 0

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 3 p.m. unless noted)
First Round

DIVISION I
#16 Verdugo Hills at #1 Panorama
#9 Jefferson at #8 Cleveland
#12 L.A. Roosevelt at #5 Birmingham
#13 Van Nuys at #4 El Camino Real
#14 San Fernando at #3 Garfield
#11 L.A. Hamilton at #6 King/Drew
#10 Venice at #7 GALA
#15 L.A. Marshall at #2 Granada Hills Kennedy

DIVISION II
#16 SOCES at #1 Bell
#9 Westchester at #8 Washington Prep
#12 Angelou at #5 Taft
#13 Contreras at #4 Arleta
#14 East Valley at #3 North Hollywood
#11 Manual Arts at #6 Fremont
#10 Huntington Park at #7 Dorsey
#15 Sun Valley Magnet at #2 Foshay

DIVISION IV
#17 Elizabeth or #16 Marquez at #1 South East
#9 New Designs University Park at #8 Los Angeles
#12 VAAS at #5 Chatsworth
#13 Rise Kohyang at #4 Crenshaw
#14 Bernstein at #3 Collins Family
#11 Alliance Levine at #6 Monroe
#10 View Park at #7 Port of Los Angeles
#15 Grant at #2 South Gate

THURSDAY’S SCHEDULE
(Games at 3 p.m. unless noted)
Quarterfinals

OPEN DIVISION
#8 Franklin at #1 Carson
#5 L.A. Wilson at #4 San Pedro
#6 Lincoln at #3 Narbonne
#7 Wilmington Banning vs. #2 Eagle Rock at Contreras, 7 p.m.

DIVISION III
RFK Community at #1 Maywood CES
#5 Torres at #4 Santee
#6 San Fernando Arroyo at #3 Palisades
#7 Hawkins at #2 Sotomayor

Note: Quarterfinals (Divisions I, II, IV) Friday, Nov. 6 at higher seeds; Semifinals (all divisions) Tuesday, Nov. 10 at higher seeds; Finals (all divisions) Saturday, Nov. 14.

The study considered six key factors: life expectancy, income per person, income equality, recreational and cultural amenities, internet speed, and housing costs

A picturesque European city has been crowned the “most liveable destination” on the planet by the Global Cities Index, thanks largely to its walkability. The research examined six crucial elements: life expectancy, income per person, income equality, recreational and cultural amenities, internet speed, and housing costs.

While European cities command the rankings, an Australian city also secured a place on the list

10. Nantes

Nantes, a lively city in western France, is celebrated for its rich history, cultural attractions, and bustling urban life. The Château des Ducs de Bretagne, once home to the Dukes of Brittany, now hosts the Nantes History Museum.

It provides a window into the city’s medieval past with its well-preserved architecture and exhibitions, reports the Express.

9. Ghent

Ghent, a charming city in Belgium, is famed for its medieval allure, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning architecture. It’s also the country’s most pedestrian-friendly destination. The town’s scenic canal-side streets are ideal for a leisurely wander. The historical buildings along the canals create beautiful reflections in the water, offering iconic views of the city’s historic architecture.

8. Zurich

Switzerland’s largest city is famous for its high quality of life, stunning surroundings, and rich cultural scene. Residents can enjoy strolls along Lake Zurich’s shores, embark on a boat tour, or unwind in one of the lakeside parks.

7. Reykjavik

Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, is consistently ranked as one of the world’s best places to live. The city centre is home to Tjörnin, a picturesque pond surrounded by charming buildings, offering a tranquil spot for leisurely strolls and bird-watching.

6. Luxembourg

Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, boasts low crime rates and impeccably clean streets, contributing to a strong sense of safety and well-being among its inhabitants. The city’s public transport network is highly efficient and extensive, with the recent introduction of free public transport further enhancing accessibility and convenience for residents.

5. Basel

Basel, a Swiss city, is lauded for its high standard of living, combining a vibrant cultural scene with practical, top-quality living conditions. The city is home to world-class healthcare facilities such as the University Hospital Basel, renowned for its high standards and innovative treatments.

4. Bergen

Bergen, located in Norway, is famed for its stunning natural landscapes, including fjords, mountains, and coastal vistas. The city offers a plethora of outdoor activities, from hiking in nearby mountains like Mount Fløyen and Mount Ulriken to sailing and kayaking in the fjords.

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3. Bern

Switzerland’s capital city, Bern, is renowned for its well-preserved medieval old town, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Its charming cobblestone streets, historic buildings, and landmarks such as the Zytglogge clock tower and the Bear Park add to its unique charm.

2. Canberra

Canberra, the capital city of Australia, is recognised for its high liveability due to its unique blend of natural beauty, modern amenities, and well-planned urban design. Known for its high standard of living, Canberra boasts clean and safe environments, well-maintained public spaces, and efficient public services. The city’s low crime rate and high levels of personal security significantly contribute to its liveability.

1. Grenoble

Nestled in the French Alps, Grenoble is a gem that combines natural beauty, a vibrant cultural life, and a high quality of life. It’s also a hub for scientific research and technological innovation, particularly in the fields of nanotechnology and biotechnology.

Grenoble is particularly known for its bike-friendly initiatives, including extensive bike lanes and rental services.

While votes are still being counted in California, a handful of important races in the midterm elections have already been called or are pointing firmly in one direction.

Despite its status as a reliably Democratic stronghold, the Western state has played a dynamic role in Tuesday’s United States elections, acting as a testing ground for questions as varied as partisan redistricting and tax measures targeting billionaires.

Let’s take a quick look at some of tonight’s results:

Democrats ahead in key races

While vote-counting was still under way, Democratic candidates have pulled decisively ahead in several contests seen as must-wins for the party’s effort to take control of the US House of Representatives.

To boost the party’s chances, voters a year ago approved a partisan redistricting measure promoted by Governor Gavin Newsom to net Democrats five additional seats in the US House.

One such race took place in the state’s 22nd Congressional District, located in the agriculture-rich Central Valley.

Progressive educator Randy Villegas celebrated the results of the race on Tuesday night as the Democrat held a commanding lead of about 30 percentage points over Republican incumbent David Valadao.

Democratic candidate Marni von Wilpert is also ahead in the 48th district, located in Southern California near San Diego, where she is leading Republican Jim Desmond by about 20 points.

While those advantages are considerable, The Associated Press news agency has not yet officially called those races.

Progressive Aisha Wahab is also firmly ahead in her race against Melissa Hernandez, a fellow Democrat, in the 14th district.

Wahab overcame substantial spending by pro-Israel groups to defeat the establishment-aligned Hernandez in a special election in September. She is now on track to win a full term in that seat.

With her previous victory, Wahab became the first person of Afghan ancestry elected to Congress.

In the San Francisco Bay Area, moderate Democrat Scott Wiener is leading progressive rival Connie Chan in a race for the seat of retiring Representative Nancy Pelosi, the powerful former Democratic House speaker. Wiener has a lead of about 10 points with 50 percent of the vote tallied thus far.

Republicans face another bruising defeat in gubernatorial race

While Republicans across the country have laboured to turn California into a symbol of liberal dysfunction, voters in the state remain unconvinced that conservatives offer a better alternative.

The gubernatorial race was called for the Democratic candidate, former state Attorney General Xavier Becerra, immediately after the polls closed.

Becerra’s Republican rival, British political commentator Steve Hilton, had argued that years of unbroken Democratic domination had resulted in sky-high prices and public disorder.

But his bid to underscore cost-of-living issues by holding campaign events where he offered discounted petrol fell flat at a time when many voters blame President Donald Trump’s war on Iran for eye-watering prices at the pump.

Becerra’s victory comes more than five years after Republicans tried to dislodge Newsom through a recall election that failed by a margin of more than 20 points.

In the past, Republicans could console themselves that if they remained in electoral purgatory in the most populous US state, their Democratic rivals were likewise locked out of power in conservative strongholds such as Texas.

Tuesday’s losses will sting a bit more after a series of shock wins by Democrats in states that can usually be counted on to deliver easy wins for Republicans, including Texas.

Uncertainty over some ballot measures

While some results have come in quickly, tight contests over some of the state’s ballot measures, or policy questions put directly before voters, have yet to be called.

Proposition 40, which would institute a one-time tax on the net worth of billionaires in the state to help fund programmes such as healthcare and education, is trailing with about 44 percent of the counted votes in favour and 56 percent against.

The measure won support from progressive figures, such as Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Ro Khanna, but prompted a deluge of spending from wealthy donors and companies to oppose it.

The Associated Press has announced that Proposition 39, which would have instituted voter ID laws sought by conservatives, has been rejected by voters.

BROOKLYN Beckham stripped off to just a towel as he shared a shirtless photo from his luxury LA home.

The eldest of the Beckham boys, 27, is trying to do all he can to distract fans from mocking him about his “awkward” Halloween snaps with wife Nicola, 31, and their friend Damian Hurley, 24.

So, in a bid to get his followers talking about something else, Brooklyn shared a sultry black and white shot of himself stood by his pool.

Showing off his muscular back, Brooklyn could be seen wearing just a towel as he looked out over the impressive grounds of the home he shares with wife Nicola.

The shirtless picture comes just days after the aspiring chef was ridiculed over some photos that were posted of himself, Nicola and Liz Hurley’s son Damian.

In the snaps, the unlikely trio were seen dressed up for Halloween – with Brooklyn as Superman and his wife in a Catwoman costume.

READ MORE ON BROOKLYN BECKHAM

SPICE GHOUL

Brooklyn Beckham’s wife Nicola accused of copying Posh with Halloween outfit

DISHED UP

Brooklyn Beckham mocks his own critics he cooks roast chicken in a pumpkin

While actor Damian wore an all-leather black outfit unzipped to the waist.

The threesome were all at the same celebrity bash in LA, and Brooklyn shared a series of snaps from the party which also included a pic of Damian with his arm around Nicola.

But just hours after posting it, Brooklyn deleted the photo of Damian and Nicola from his grid after he was inundated with comments mocking him.

One wrote: “This photo is awkward as f***.

“That girl is leaning more towards the other guy than to her own husband.

“Body language proves how she’s not that into her husband at all! What a shame.”

A second pointed out: “Omg he deleted the photo with Damian. Brooklyn, what are you even doing bro. You’re a Beckham.”

“I thought Superman was third wheeling,” wrote another referring to Brooklyn.