US consumer sentiment drops to near record low as shutdown persists

The federal government shutdown dragged consumer sentiment in the US to a near record low in November, according to a monthly survey conducted by the University of Michigan.Consumer sentiment fell about 6% in November, with the consumer sentiment index for November 2025 at 50.3, down from 53.6 in October, nearly three points below expectations. Economists polled by the Wall Street Journal expected a 53

Lose weight or risk losing your job, chunky oil rig workers told

Thousands of North Sea oil and gas workers risk losing their jobs on offshore rigs unless they lose weight within the next year.Workers who weigh more than 124.7kg (19.5 st) fully clothed will need to shed some pounds by next November or risk being barred from working offshore, according to the industry’s trade body.The new safety policy is expected to affect 2,500 people employed offshore who are above the weight limit, which has been put in place so that workers can be winched to safety by a rescue helicopter in an emergency

Elon Musk makes himself far-right fixture after White House departure

The Tesla CEO once hinted he was done with politics – but he’s been leaning further into the international far rightWhen the far-right activist Tommy Robinson emerged from a London courtroom this week after a judge cleared him of a terrorism charge, he gave thanks to the man he said had bankrolled his defense.“Elon Musk, I’m forever grateful. If you didn’t step in and fund my legal fight I’d probably be in jail,” Robinson said. “Thank you, Elon.”In the period immediately after Musk’s messy departure from the White House, the Tesla CEO repeatedly suggested that he was done with politics

ChatGPT accused of acting as ‘suicide coach’ in series of US lawsuits

ChatGPT has been accused of acting as a “suicide coach” in a series of lawsuits filed this week in California alleging that interactions with the chatbot led to severe mental breakdowns and several deaths.The seven lawsuits include allegations of wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, negligence and product liability.Each of the seven plaintiffs initially used ChatGPT for “general help with schoolwork, research, writing, recipes, work, or spiritual guidance”, according to a joint statement from the Social Media Victims Law Center and Tech Justice Law Project, which filed the lawsuits in California on Thursday.Over time, however, the chatbot “evolved into a psychologically manipulative presence, positioning itself as a confidant and emotional support”, the groups said.“Rather than guiding people toward professional help when they needed it ChatGPT reinforced harmful delusions, and, in some cases, acted as a ‘suicide coach’

England 38-18 Fiji: Autumn Nations Series rugby union – live reaction

England face New Zealand next weekend, and you can join us again for all the action. Thanks for your company today.Ben Earl is Player of the Match.“It was one of the hardest games I’ve had to play in, honestly. Credit to them and to the boys for finding a way to win

São Paulo Grand Prix: Lando Norris claims pole position after flying lap – live

Giles Richards’s qualifying report has dropped so please get stuck into that. Thanks for your company today.Norris soars to F1 São Paulo GP pole as Piastri stumbles and Verstappen flops1) Lando Norris (McLaren) 2) Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 3) Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 4) Oscar Piastri (McLaren) 5) Isack Hadjar (Racing Bulls) 6) George Russell (Mercedes) 7) Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 8) Ollie Bearman (Haas) 9) Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 10) Nico Hülkenberg (Sauber) 11) Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) 12) Alex Albon (Williams) 13) Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 14) Lance Stroll (Aston Martin) 15) Carlos Sainz (Williams) 16. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 17. Esteban Ocon (Haas) 18