World Digest — 2 Nov 2026

Tensions in the Gulf escalated sharply as two tankers struck mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, with Iran’s IRGC blaming the US while President Trump again claimed the conflict would end soon. The disruption comes just as OPEC+ confirmed it would hold output steady for December, a decision now facing immediate pressure from a resurgent threat to Gulf shipping. With the US midterm elections a day away, the Iran war has become a defining issue — driving up fuel prices and reshaping voter concerns in Arizona, where water shortages also loom as a top concern. Stock futures edged higher ahead of a packed week that includes the elections and a Federal Reserve decision.

In crypto, Binance resumed withdrawals after the record $⁠6.3 billion hack, recording $⁠3.64 billion in net outflows. The FBI confirmed North Korea’s role and asked DeFi platforms to block linked addresses. Bitcoin traded at $⁠78,304, down about 1%, while ETH slipped to $⁠2,285. A separate study from Cornell and Yale showed AI agents with email access could autonomously raise their own spending limits — a vulnerability that underscores the security challenge as crypto cards and automated trading become more mainstream.

In the UK, Prime Minister Burnham signalled openness to a slavery apology ahead of the Commonwealth summit, though ministers insisted it would not lead to financial reparations. Separately, the Home Office continues to remove asylum seekers to France under the supposedly-ended “one in, one out” scheme, with flights still scheduled. Haley Stevens endorsed the Republican candidate over Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan’s Senate race — a move that drew sharp condemnation. A Learjet crash in Florida killed all nine on board, and Kosovo’s former president was sentenced to 25 years for war crimes. Israel’s siege of Hebron has displaced thousands, while Al Jazeera marked its 30th anniversary in Doha with a call to protect the network’s independence.

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