JQJO — General news · Page 20

Stranger Things returns to Hawkins with a season five trailer that finds the government hunting Eleven, led by guest star Linda Hamilton as Dr. Kay. The gang—Will, Mike, Dustin, and Lucas—stands together again as Vecna’s threat spreads and Henry Creel’s hellish homecoming looms. Netflix will premiere four episodes on November 26, add three on December 25, and finish with a big finale on December 31.

Car insurance premiums have jumped 55% since February 2020, pushed up by pricier cars, repairs and medical care — and by pandemic-era speeding that made crashes costlier. Washington’s insurance commissioner Patty Kuderer says claims drive premiums and must be approved when costs are proven. Industry official Bob Passmore says profits returned and rate hikes have stabilized, though delays and new shocks could lift prices again. Drivers are shopping at the highest rate since 2020 as strain deepens; many cut back, avoid claims or even coverage. Stories from Zoe and Brandy reveal lapses, sacrifices and postponed teen driving.

Rachel Reeves apologised for renting out her family home without a selective licence and has now applied for one. In late-night letters, Keir Starmer said, after consulting ethics adviser Sir Laurie Magnus, that no further investigation is needed, citing an inadvertent breach and the ministerial code’s allowance for apology. Conservatives demanded Reeves be sacked, alleging “one rule for the chancellor,” though Kemi Badenoch said she should go only if the law was broken. Legal consequences remain unclear; an FOI found 245 councils issued £2.5m in fines in 2023–24. The episode raises fresh questions about her judgment.

In 28 minutes, Nikola Jokic posted 21 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists, tying an NBA record with his fourth straight triple-double to start the season, as Denver routed the winless Pelicans 122-88. A 24-0 third-quarter run opened a 33-point lead; Jokic sat the fourth. Jamal Murray and Christian Braun added 17 apiece. Rookie Jeremiah Fears had 21 for New Orleans, which fell to 0-4 amid frigid shooting, while Zion Williamson, back from a left foot bone bruise, scored 11. Jokic, a three-time MVP, now has 168 career triple-doubles.

The National Basketball Players Association condemned the NBA’s move to place Heat guard Terry Rozier on unpaid leave after his arrest in an alleged gambling scandal, vowing to challenge the decision as inconsistent with the CBA and the presumption of innocence. Rozier and Trail Blazers coach Chauncey Billups were indicted last week and put on immediate leave, with paychecks for Rozier held in escrow, according to reports. The NBA said it is reviewing the unsealed indictment. Allegations include Rozier sharing insider information and signaling an early exit from a 2023 game.

National party leaders are scrambling to redraw more U.S. House maps before next year’s midterms, but face legal hurdles and rebellion from their own ranks. In Kansas, Republicans seek a special session to bypass Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and imperil Rep. Sharice Davids’ seat, drawing GOP dissent. Democrats pursue changes in Virginia, Illinois, New York and Maryland amid intra-party pushback. Republicans have already added seven potential seats in Texas, Missouri and North Carolina, while Indiana and Louisiana weigh new moves. Analysts warn the fight may reshape politics for years, opening a ‘Pandora’s box’ of perpetual remapping.

U.S. Treasury yields edged higher Thursday as markets parsed the Federal Reserve’s second rate cut this year and mixed signals about December. The 10-year rose more than 3 basis points to 4.095%, the 2-year gained over 2 to 3.608%, and the 30-year added more than 5 to 4.651%. The FOMC voted 10-2 to lower the benchmark rate to 3.75%-4% despite limited data amid a government shutdown. Chair Jerome Powell noted “strongly differing views” and said another cut next month is “not a foregone conclusion.” Investors watched a Trump–Xi trade meeting in South Korea that ended on a positive note.

Late-night shows skewered President Trump’s South Korea stop, where he was presented a replica gold crown on Wednesday. The Daily Show’s Desi Lydic called it a “yes, king” rally as he “continues to eat, pray, love his way through Asia.” Jimmy Fallon joked that Trump asked South Korea’s president, “Which demon hunter are you?” and riffed on their lunch of kimchi, spinach soybean paste soup, and mini beef patties with ketchup, wondering who chose what.

Eli Lilly posted third-quarter results that topped expectations and raised its outlook, sending shares up 5% premarket. Adjusted EPS reached $7.02 on revenue of $17.60 billion, beating estimates. The company now targets fiscal 2025 revenue of $63–$63.5 billion and full-year adjusted profit of $23–$23.70 per share. Demand for GLP-1 drugs powered the quarter: Mounjaro generated $6.52 billion, up 109% and above forecasts, while Zepbound brought in $3.57 billion, up 184% and slightly ahead of estimates. The strong showing comes as Lilly seeks to maintain its edge over Novo Nordisk in the booming obesity and diabetes market.

Netflix’s The Witcher returns for a fourth and penultimate season, with Liam Hemsworth taking over as Geralt after Henry Cavill’s 2022 exit. The streamlined, action-heavy run opens with a storybook recap and refocuses on Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri: a wounded Geralt hunts for Ciri with Jaskier and Milva, Yennefer rallies mages against Vilgefortz, and Ciri hides with the Rats as Falka. New faces, including Regis (Laurence Fishburne) and Zoltan (Danny Woodburn), bolster the spectacle. Aside from a filler fifth episode, the season acts as a confident reset and sets up the final chapter; it’s now streaming.