Bilig's Daily Brief: US memo links Nvidia chief to suspected Chinese spy

A US government memo reportedly links Nvidia's chief executive to a suspected Chinese spy, while President Donald Trump confirmed "minor strikes" on Iran and replaced his chief of staff. Strong US jobs data lifted bets on a Federal Reserve rate rise, capping a bruising week for technology stocks and oil.

US memo links Nvidia chief to suspected Chinese spy

A US government memo says Nvidia Chief Executive Jensen Huang had a romantic relationship with Alice Huang, a Megaspeed executive whom US intelligence believes was recruited by China's Ministry of State Security, the Financial Times reported on Saturday, citing people familiar with the document. The two are not related. Nvidia declined to comment on the memo but has said Huang meets thousands of customer executives each year. House Republicans have asked him for a closed-door briefing. No one has been charged.

Trump confirms "minor strikes" on Iran's Qeshm Island

Trump on Friday confirmed limited US strikes on Iranian air defences after Iranian state media said two missiles hit Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, Al Jazeera and Reuters reported. "We do minor strikes," he told reporters in Florida. He also said the United States "could be an occupier" in Iran, Anadolu Agency reported. Iran's army said it shot down a US MQ-9 drone over Qeshm. Washington offered up to $20 million for information on Iran's nuclear programme.

Stephen Miller to replace Susie Wiles as chief of staff

Trump said on Friday that Stephen Miller, his deputy chief of staff, would replace Susie Wiles as White House chief of staff from Monday, days after Republicans lost control of both chambers of Congress in the midterm elections. In a Truth Social post, Trump called Miller "one of my most trusted advisors" and said Wiles, who moves to his political operation, "has done a great job!", Al Jazeera and ABC News reported. Miller is the chief architect of the administration's hardline immigration and deportation policies.

US economy adds 165,000 jobs in October

US employers added 165,000 jobs in October, well above economists' forecasts of about 65,000, and the unemployment rate fell to 4.1% from 4.2%, according to Labor Department data released on Friday. Payroll gains averaged 137,000 over the past three months, Yahoo Finance reported. The figures strengthened expectations that the Federal Reserve will raise interest rates in December. Prediction markets put the odds of a quarter-point rise at about 78%, according to Capp Notes.

Week in markets: tech rout drives worst week since June

Wall Street ended its worst week since June after Thursday's sell-off in artificial intelligence (AI) and chip stocks. The S&P 500 closed at 7,376.86, down 2.7% for the week, and the Nasdaq Composite at 24,579.42, down 3.4%. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 0.9% to 51,285.73. The 10-year Treasury yield ended at 4.86%, down about 7 basis points, while the dollar index rose 0.8% on Friday to 102.32. Brent crude had its biggest weekly fall since 2020, settling near $98 a barrel. Spot gold rose about 5%.

Putin confirms Abu Dhabi talks as Kyiv attacked

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday that trilateral talks between Russia, the United States and Ukraine would be held in the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, TASS and Anadolu Agency reported. Presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky will lead Russia's delegation. Overnight, Russia launched 172 drones and several missiles, mainly at the Kyiv region, Ukraine's air force said. Several missiles hit Kyiv's Northern Bridge, and strikes damaged energy facilities. Mayor Vitali Klitschko called the power, heating and water situation "extremely difficult".

New Zealand election too close to call

New Zealand's general election was too close to call on Saturday night, with National and Labour each on just under 30% with about a third of votes counted, AP reported. Early projections gave Prime Minister Christopher Luxon's governing coalition of National, ACT and NZ First 65 seats, one short of a majority, against 58 for Labour, the Greens and Te Pāti Māori. The Opportunity party crossed the 5% threshold for the first time. Luxon has ruled out working with it. Official results are due on 27 November.

Bomb threats hit European flights and newsrooms

Anonymous bomb threats targeted flights, airports and media outlets in at least five European countries on Friday, a day after hoax threats disrupted at least 18 flights. Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ and the Irish Independent evacuated offices after an emailed warning, i24NEWS and Anadolu Agency reported. French authorities said four aircraft over France received threats and all landed safely, while two flights were diverted to Sofia. Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin called the threats "worrying". No one has been identified as responsible.

China raises trade concerns in call with US

Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng expressed "serious concern" over recent US trade restrictions in a video call on Friday with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Xinhua reported. Both sides agreed to manage differences. The call followed US sanctions on two Chinese firms accused of supplying equipment to Cuba's military, which Beijing opposed. China's foreign ministry has also said it is in communication over a possible meeting of Xi Jinping, Trump and Putin at this month's APEC summit in Shenzhen, AP reported.

Gunmen kill 34 Orthodox Christians in Ethiopia

Gunmen killed at least 34 Ethiopian Orthodox Christians in Endato village in the Oromia region's Robe district, local media reported on Friday, according to Anadolu Agency and the Arab Times. The attack raises to at least 94 the number of worshippers killed in a series of attacks in under three weeks. It was not immediately clear who was responsible. The Ethiopian Human Rights Commission has attributed earlier attacks to the Oromo Liberation Army.

Kenyan cult leader jailed for 200 years

A court in Mombasa on Friday sentenced Kenyan preacher Paul Mackenzie to 200 years in prison over the starvation deaths of his followers in the Shakahola forest, which killed 191 people, including 190 children, The Star and Anadolu Agency reported. Justice Diana Kavedza declined a prosecution request for the death penalty, saying it would rule out rehabilitation. Mackenzie was convicted of murder in October. "The adult support system malfunctioned," the judge said of the children's deaths.