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Wednesday, November 4, 2026

AG Tish James appoints attorney who oversaw ‘Diddy’ trial to probe ‘Cornell 7’ gang rape case

New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed a Cornell University graduate who oversaw the Diddy sex crimes trial to investigate the alleged gang rape by seven frat brothers on the Ivy League’s campus.

Former Civil Rights attorney Jacqueline Kelly will probe as outside counsel the disturbing 2024 case that made headlines in recent weeks after victim Jane Doe sued the alleged sickos.

“Jacqueline Kelly is a seasoned prosecutor who has overseen numerous cases from investigation through trial. With her criminal legal expertise, commitment to public service, and judicial experience, I am confident that she will lead a fair and comprehensive investigation,” James said in a statement.

Kelly, a Cornell alumna, is a former Manhattan federal prosecutor who in recent years oversaw sex crimes prosecutions of disgraced music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs and fashion executive Peter Nygard.

She now represents sexual assault accusers as a partner at the law firm Boies Schiller Flexner, which she joined in 2025 shortly after Combs was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking raps but convicted on prostitution charges.

Kelly served as a bureau supervisor overseeing the Combs case and was a mainstay at the bombshell trial in Manhattan court last summer, observing proceedings from the court gallery.

Winston Lee, one of the former Cornell frat brothers being probed, is being repped by two of Combs’ lead lawyers from his trial, Marc Agnifilo and Teny Geragos.

Nygard was indicted on various sex crimes charges in 2020 but has yet to be extradited to the US. He was sentenced to 11 years in prison in a separate Canadian case.

Combs was sentenced to 50 months in prison and is due to be released in early 2028.

Kelly’s appointment comes following intense calls — including from President Trump — for James to recuse herself from the investigation after she made prejudicial comments about the incident.

She had posted sympathy for the accuser on social media days before Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed her on Oct. 1 as the special prosecutor in the exploding scandal.

“What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable,” the attorney general wrote on X on Sept. 28. “I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers. To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.”

But James’ office claims she began seeking potential outside counsel the same day Hochul appointed her to the case.

The announcement also comes just hours after she declared victory in her re-election campaign for her seat.

All of the accused have denied wrongdoing.

https://nypost.com/2026/11/04/us-news/ag-james-appoints-cornell-7-attorney-who-oversaw-diddy-trial-to-probe/

'UAE Weighs Third Oil Pipeline to Bypass Strait of Hormuz: Bloomberg'

The United Arab Emirates is considering a third crude export pipeline to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on the waterway.

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., or ADNOC, is weighing a route from the UAE’s western coast to Fujairah on its eastern coast, according to Bloomberg, although the company disputed the account.

“We have advised Bloomberg that this report is not accurate and purely speculative,” an ADNOC spokesperson said.

The proposed pipeline could be available to third parties, Bloomberg reported.

It would supplement an operating link and a second pipeline scheduled to begin service next year, providing another means of delivering crude if shipping through Hormuz is disrupted.

ADNOC has discussed the proposal with some Asian customers, according to people cited by Bloomberg.

The plans have not been finalized, and details including the route could change.

Fujairah Capacity

ADNOC's existing pipeline carries crude from onshore fields in the western UAE to Fujairah and can transport about 2 million barrels a day.

The company said in May that it was accelerating construction of a second line, targeting completion next year and doubling transportation capacity.

Bloomberg reported last month that ADNOC told some Asian refiners that supplies through that link could be collected at Fujairah in early 2027.

The pipeline projects form part of a broader UAE effort to end its dependence on Hormuz.

Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi said earlier this year that the country planned investment in pipelines, railways and roads, alongside major expansion of at least three eastern ports.

The strait was effectively closed at the height of the Iran war. More vessels are now passing through, but ships continue to face frequent attacks.

Bypass Routes Face Attacks

Saudi Arabia also plans to expand its East-West pipeline, which was its main crude export route during the conflict, and is considering additional links.

Kuwait, whose exports depend entirely on Hormuz, is discussing pipeline alternatives with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, according to Sheikh Nawaf Al-Sabah, chief executive of its state-run oil company.

Those alternatives carry security risks of their own.

Fujairah has been attacked several times during the Iran war, while Saudi Arabia’s East-West pipeline temporarily stopped operating after an attack in September.

https://clashreport.com/world/articles/uae-weighs-third-oil-pipeline-to-bypass-strait-of-hormuz-ifc0owp003c

Colombia eyes new oil exploration contracts in 2027

Colombia's National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) President Ernesto Forero said on Wednesday that the country aims to offer new oil exploration opportunities in the first quarter of 2027.

"We are making internal decisions to determine which areas are ready; we are defining the best alternative; we are ensuring that the economic situation is favorable, and we hope that, I think, the first quarter of 2027 will be a time when we will be able to materialize all this foundation and diagnosis that we have been doing," Forero said.

"We want to move quickly, but not hastily," he added, while encouraging companies to invest in widening production at existing oil fields. In early October, ANH reserved approximately 19.9 million hectares for potential new oil and gas contracts after over four years under former ⁠President Gustavo Petro's policy of limiting exploration expansion.

https://breakingthenews.net/Article/Colombia-eyes-new-oil-exploration-contracts-in-2027/67484606

Dem sweep lifts Medicaid-exposed Centene, investors price delayed healthcare cuts

AP projected Democrats won both House and Senate early November 4.
Reuters reported the sweep carries broad implications for healthcare policy and funding.
Pre-election analysis specifically identified Centene as a potential Democratic-sweep beneficiary.
Analysts linked the outcome to possible ACA subsidies and delayed Medicaid cuts.
Man Group named Centene and Molina as Medicaid-focused election beneficiaries.
No Centene press release or SEC filing appeared after Tuesday’s close.
The 4.43% gain approximates Centene’s recent 3.9%-4.6% average daily range.
Overnight timing aligns with election results, rather than new company-specific news.

https://finviz.com/stock?t=CNC&p=d

India proposes instant manufacturing licence suspension for drugs failing quality tests

Instant freeze on substandard drugs: Health Ministry moves to immediately suspend manufacturing licences for critical quality failures

https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/instant-freeze-on-substandard-drugs-health-ministry-moves-to-immediately-suspend-manufacturing-licences-for-critical-quality-failures20261104224053/

Moderna initial Phase 1/2 data for mRNA-2808 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: manageable safety

Moderna reports initial Phase 1/2 data for mRNA-2808 in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma showing responses with manageable safety

Trial enrolled heavily pretreated relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients, with 11 patients evaluable for efficacy in Phase 1/2.
Moderna reported 4 responses among the 11 evaluable patients treated with multiplexed mRNA therapeutic mRNA-2808.
Initial mRNA-2808 data were selected for oral presentation at the 2026 ASH Annual Meeting.

https://finviz.com/stock?t=MRNA&p=d

'Khamenei says US election results will not change Washington's hostility'

A message attributed to Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei said on Wednesday that changes in US election results would not alter Washington's hostility toward Tehran, after Republicans suffered setbacks in the midterm elections.

"If anyone still hopes for a change in behavior or a shift between political parties and factions in the system of domination, they are gravely mistaken," the message said.

The statement was published on Khamenei's official website to mark November 4, Iran's annual anti-US commemoration.

Khamenei has not appeared publicly or been heard speaking since the war began on February 28. No video or audio accompanied the written message.

The message also warned against making concessions to Washington, arguing that the United States sought Iran's "unconditional surrender" and that compromising would encourage further demands and military attacks.

It portrayed Iran's actions in the Strait of Hormuz and against US military bases in regional countries as evidence that American military power was no longer invincible.

"Any repetition of aggression will take on far broader dimensions," it said.

https://www.iranintl.com/en/202611043829

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