India’s October services growth eases to five-month low on heavy rain, competition, PMI shows
Modi’s party faces a crucial test in key Indian state
Meryl Sebastian & Devina GuptaBBC News
Getty ImagesVoting has begun in the eastern Indian state of Bihar where more than 74 million people are eligible to vote in a crucial election that will be a precursor to several key state polls.
Voters will cast their ballots for 243 seats in a two-phase election to choose the next state government. Counting of votes is scheduled for 14 November.
The election comes after a controversial revision of electoral rolls that the opposition alleged would exclude genuine voters and give an edge to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
The BJP and India’s Election Commission have denied these allegations.
Bihar is one of India’s poorest and most populous states, which sees millions migrating to other states for jobs. It is also among the few states in India where Modi’s party has not managed to form a government yet on its own.
The outgoing government is an alliance between the BJP and the Janata Dal (United), or JD(U). They are contesting the elections again together while India’s main opposition Congress party has tied up with the regional Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) and a number of smaller parties.
The election has also seen the entry of a new political party led by Prashant Kishor, a political consultant who has in the past worked with both the BJP and the Congress.
The election is also being closely watched as it might be the last to see active participation from two leaders who have shaped Bihar’s politics for almost four decades – JD(U)’s Nitish Kumar and RJD’s Lalu Prasad Yadav. The rivals, who are said to be in poor health, have on occasion joined hands to stay in power.
Getty ImagesIncumbent chief minister Kumar is one of the state’s most influential leaders and has led the government for the major part of the past two decades.
He is a key ally of the BJP and played a crucial role in helping Modi’s party form the federal government after the 2024 election.
RJD’s Lalu Yadav served as chief minister from 1990-97. Known for his colourful personality and witty one-liners, Yadav’s rise as a politician who championed marginalised caste groups transformed the political landscape of the state. His party’s years in power, however, became associated with misrule and corruption. He is currently out on bail after being convicted in corruption cases.
Yadav’s sons Tejashwi has been projected as the chief minister candidate for the opposition alliance.
Getty ImagesThe election comes on the back of a controversial voter list revision carried out by India’s Election Commission a few months ago. The commission released a list of 74.2 million voters in September, weeding out 4.7 million names.
The exercise was sharply criticised by the opposition, which accused the commission of working dropping many voters – especially Muslims – to aid Modi’s party. Both the BJP and the Election Commission denied this.
Analysts say female voters are expected to play a key role in these elections – nearly half of the voters are women and their turnout has seen a steady rise.
Political analyst Santosh Singh says women in Bihar are more likely to vote over issues and that’s why political parties are trying to target them with different welfare schemes. Both alliances have offered financial assistance to woo women voters.
Earlier this week, the BBC met Kushboo Devi, 40, who’s been campaigning for her local candidate in Masaurhi village. She says she has been trying to get everyone to come out and vote but her focus is on women.
“Because in Bihar, wherever you see a higher voting percentage, it’s usually the women who are showing up at the poll booths.”
Here’s Why Economists Strongly Disapprove of Zohran Mamdani’s Key Housing Policy
New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani swept to victory Tuesday evening on a platform of affordability, anchored by a plan to freeze rents across nearly 2 million rent-stabilized apartments.
But economists, universally, hate rent control. In a 2012 poll of top economists, just 2% agreed that rent-control laws have had “a positive impact” on the supply and quality of affordable housing. The Nobel laureate Richard Thaler even quipped in the survey that the next question should be: “Does the sun revolve around the Earth?”
Why do economists revile a plan that seems to promote fairness and equity in a housing market that is clearly broken?
Seductive simplicity
To most voters, freezing rents looks like common sense: If prices are out of reach, stop them from rising. But to economists, that’s like treating a fever by breaking the thermometer: It suppresses the symptom without curing the disease, the persistent shortage of housing.
“Freezing rents doesn’t fix scarcity,” said David Sims, a Brigham Young University economist whose research on Massachusetts rent control remains a touchstone. “It just reshuffles who bears the cost.”
Sims’s work examined the rent-control regime that once governed Cambridge, Mass., where tenants could stay indefinitely at below-market rents. The policy was meant to keep housing affordable, but it led to what he calls misallocation.
“People who could do better by moving tend to stay,” he told Fortune. “Older households hang on to large units they no longer need, while young families can’t find space. Over time, you end up with the wrong people in the wrong apartments.”
When Massachusetts voters repealed rent control in 1994, property values in Cambridge rose 45%—not only for the deregulated apartments, but for entire neighborhoods. It turned out that years of capped rents had discouraged investment and dragged down surrounding property values, meaning that when controls were finally removed, landlords were empowered to upgrade and renovate their apartments. Neighborhoods that had been frozen along with the rents suddenly seemed to revitalize.
That dynamic is already visible in New York. According to the city’s Housing and Vacancy Survey, roughly 26,000 rent-stabilized apartments are sitting empty, many uninhabitable because renovation costs far exceed what landlords can legally recover. The state’s 2019 Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act caps recoverable renovation expenses at $50,000 spread over 15 years. Rehabilitating a century-old tenement can cost twice that, leaving owners little incentive to do anything but lock the door.
Short-term relief, long-term pain
Rent control’s immediate benefits, for current residents, are undeniable. It offers stability to tenants living paycheck-to-paycheck and reduces the risk of displacement. But over the long term, economists argue it functions the same way as throwing sand in the gears of the housing market. Landlords defer maintenance they can’t recoup, new construction slows, and the available housing stock quietly erodes.
A 2018 Stanford study led by Rebecca Diamond, one of today’s leading experts in housing markets, found that when San Francisco expanded rent control in the 1990s, the supply of rental housing fell 15% over the next decade. Many landlords converted apartments to condos or owner-occupied housing to escape regulation. The policy helped existing tenants, but ultimately raised market rents citywide and accelerated gentrification, causing the opposite of what policymakers intended.
“It’s not about pitying landlords,” Sims said. “It’s about understanding incentives. You can’t expect people to invest in something if they’ll never break even—just like you can’t expect tenants to volunteer to pay more rent.”
For economists, the deeper problem with rent freezes is conceptual: They imply that affordability can simply be decreed against the logic of supply and demand.
“It creates this belief that the problem can be solved by fiat,” Sims said. “But rents are high because people want to live in New York. The only lasting fix is to make it easier to build more housing that people actually want.”
He offers a visceral analogy of market pressures: Black Friday. People don’t wait in line for stores anymore on Black Friday, Sims said, but there was a time when, for a $1,000 TV at $200, there’d be a line around the block at 4 a.m., and only a few lucky people would get the TV.
“But housing isn’t like a $200 TV,” Sims observed. “Everyone kind of needs a place to live, but if housing is priced like the $200 TV, then there’s a bunch of people in that line who don’t get it.”
That’s the thing about rent control, economists say: It benefits insiders at the expense of outsiders. Over time, it can deepen inequality by keeping younger, lower-income, or newly arrived residents locked out of regulated neighborhoods that effectively become closed clubs.
Band-Aid policy in a broken market
Supporters of Mamdani’s plan counter that New York’s crisis is so severe, temporary freezes are a moral necessity.
With median rents above $4,000, they argue, the city cannot wait for zoning reforms and construction projects that take years to materialize. But even sympathetic economists warn that without parallel measures to boost supply, a freeze simply defers the reckoning.
“If you don’t pair a rent freeze with a credible plan to add housing,” Sims said, “you’re not solving the problem. You’re just pushing off accountability without really solving the underlying problem.”
Hundreds Rally Against Opening of Shein’s First Physical Store
new video loaded: Hundreds Protest Opening of Shein’s First Brick-and-Mortar Store
Hundreds of protesters in Paris gathered as the Chinese fast-fashion retailer opened its first physical store on Wednesday, speaking out against the company’s environmental and human rights abuses. The French government also suspended online access to the retailer after the discovery this week of child pornography sex dolls posted for sale.
By Jamie Leventhal
November 5, 2025
Two Teams Keeping Close Tabs on Ja Morant’s Status
Morant’s Frustration Reaches New Levels
Ja Morant’s relationship with the Memphis Grizzlies appears to be deteriorating fast. After the team’s third consecutive loss on Monday, the two-time All-Star admitted he has lost “his joy,” signaling growing discontent inside the locker room.
Morant’s connection with new head coach Tuomas Iisalo reportedly remains tense, and his body language has reflected that frustration. The 26-year-old guard has looked visibly disengaged in recent games, a stark contrast to his usual high-energy style that once defined Memphis’s identity.
The Grizzlies have endured a rough start to the season, and the pressure is mounting. Morant’s future with the team, once considered untouchable, now seems increasingly uncertain.
Timberwolves and Kings Showing Interest
According to The Athletic’s Sam Amick, two teams are already keeping a close eye on Morant’s situation. “The Minnesota Timberwolves, per a team source, are one. Ditto for the Sacramento Kings,” Amick reported.
While both teams are reportedly intrigued by the possibility of acquiring Morant, the Memphis front office has yet to indicate any interest in trading him. The Houston Rockets, meanwhile, were also mentioned but appear to be out of the mix despite losing Fred VanVleet to a torn ACL. “Per a team source, they are unlikely to pursue him,” Amick noted.
Trade Value and On-Court Decline
Morant’s production has dipped significantly this season. He’s averaging 20.4 points per game — his lowest mark since his sophomore year — and is shooting just 39.3% from the field and a career-worst 13.9% from three-point range.
The drop in performance, paired with mounting off-court drama, could complicate his trade value. Still, with two years remaining on his $197 million max contract, the explosive guard remains one of the league’s most talented young players.
What’s Next for Memphis?
If Memphis continues to struggle, the franchise could face a difficult decision: recommit to Morant and rebuild trust, or explore trade options before tensions boil over.
For now, the Timberwolves and Kings are quietly waiting. If Morant’s relationship with the Grizzlies doesn’t improve soon, this winter could bring one of the NBA’s most dramatic shakeups.
Top 25 Holiday Gifts for Travelers in 2025
Travelers can be a fickle group of people to buy gifts for. We’re constantly coming and going, we usually don’t carry a lot of stuff with us, and no two travelers are alike. Finding the perfect gift for the traveler in your life can be tricky.
While a plane ticket is never a bad idea (I’m a window seat in case anyone is thinking of getting me one), I’ve put together this ultimate gift guide for travelers as there’s a lot of great travel gear out there these days that helps people travel cheaper and better.
Even me, the gear-adverse traveler, likes a lot of this stuff!
This is stuff I actually think is super useful. No nonsense. No fluff. Just the best gifts for intrepid travelers and globetrotting nomads.
Gifts Under $25
1. A Travel Lock
This simple item is one of the most important for the budget traveler. Since many hostels have lockers, backpackers need to have their own travel lock when they’re on the road. While you can usually rent them at hostels, those prices add up after a while. I never leave home without a lock because I know it will come in handy.
2. Loop Earplugs
Anyone who has ever stayed in a hostel knows that a quality pair of earplugs is a necessity. From chronic snorers to late-night drinkers to copulating couples in creaking bunks, hostels are known for their less-than-quiet accommodation. I suggest investing in good earplugs and not just the cheap foam ones. Not only will they help you sleep, but they’re great for bus trips and flights as well as wearing as you explore louder, more hectic cities.
3. Travel Adapter
Nothing is more tedious than arriving at a new destination only to realize you can’t charge your devices because the electrical outlets are different. That’s why you’ll need a travel adapter. They’re a simple accessory. There’s a million out there but this is one I use as it covers every region of the world and comes with USB ports too. It’s cheap, easy to use, and lightweight. Everything you need in an adapter.
4. Zbiotics Pre-Alcohol
Zbiotics Pre-Alcohol is a pre-drink probiotic that helps you really avoid those rough mornings after drinking. A friend of mine introduced it into our friend group over a year ago and I’ve been hooked ever since. It really does work. I take it with me whenever I travel and have gotten other friends, fellow travel writers, and even a tour guide in Peru onto it. It will make your next mornings bright and it helps me ensure that I’m not feeling too bad to do stuff the next day. I love this product. It works. If you or a traveler on your gift list drinks, take it. You can save 10% off with the code NOMADICMATT.
5. Scratch Travel Maps from Landmass
Scratch maps are a fun way to keep track of your past travels while helping you stay inspired as you plan your future trips. You simply scratch off the parts of the world you’ve been. Simple. Easy. Landmass is my favorite company that makes these, though there are plenty of other companies that make them now so you can find them in all sorts of sizes and colors.
6. Passport Holder
A passport holder is a must-have for any avid traveler. Not only does it protect your passport from wear and tear, it makes your travels much more convenient. Most passport holders have slots for your travel credit cards as well as any cash you have, making it a safe and convenient way to keep your valuables secure while you travel. While there are tons of expensive and fancy passport holders out there, a simple one will get the job done and save you money in the process (money you can spend on more travels!).
7. Hand-drawn Food Maps
These are unique, hand-drawn typographic maps of food from Legal Nomads and artist Ella Frances Sanders. They make a thoughtful gift for anyone who loves to eat and travel (and who doesn’t!). They come in a variety of sizes too! Jodi’s maps are the best! (Use code NOMADICMATT to save 10%)
8. How to Travel the World on $75 A Day (and Other Travel Books!)
Want to travel more for less? Pick up a copy of my New York Times bestselling guide to budget travel and never overpay for travel again! With this book, you’ll get an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to planning a trip on a budget. And, with super detailed sections to regions around the globe, you’ll be able to navigate every region around the world like a pro! This book takes all the knowledge from this website and puts it all into one place with even more details and resources! And it’s not just for long-term travelers either. The tactics and strategies you’ll learn apply to a trip of any length of time!
For more travel book suggestions, you can check out my list of recommend reading on Amazon and Bookshop (I have hundreds of book suggestions there!).
9. Celiac Travel Cards
My friend Jodi from Legal Nomads created these helpful travel cards for anyone traveling with Celiac disease. They are in-depth resources that communicate your concerns to restaurant staff in a way that allows anyone traveling with the disease to have a worry-free meal. If you or someone you love has Celiac disease, these travel cards are a useful resource! (Use code NOMADICMATT for 10% off!)
10. Dry Shampoo
Dry shampoo is a convenient liquid-free alternative to regular shampoo. It’s a useful minimalist solution for budget travelers who travel carry-on only and an eco-friendly choice as well. Natural dry shampoos absorb the grease and oil in your hair, keeping it clean while you’re on the road — and with minimal effort too. It works for all types of hair and hair lengths as well so you don’t need to shave your head or do anything drastic either.
11. Packing Cubes
Packing cubes are an awesome tool to help you stay organized while you travel. Whether you’re a budget backpacker or traveling with half a dozen suitcases, packing cubes will keep you organized as you travel the world. They come in a variety of sizes, allowing you to store items big and small. If you know a traveler who needs a hand staying organized, this is the gift for them!
12. HostelPass
For the traveler heading to Europe, consider gifting a HostelPass. This discount card offers over 130 discounts to hostels in 40 cities throughout 15 countries in Europe. With HostelPass, travelers can save up to 40% on accommodation. It’s the discount card I wish existed when I first started backpacking around Europe and is perfect for budget traveler planning a trip around the continent.
13. Trip Chaser
In this fun travel game (created by my friends Dalene and Pete) you have to prove who’s the most travel-savvy by buying, bartering, and gambling your way to various destinations. Just like actual travel, expect both stumbling blocks and enriching experiences along the way. You’ll rely on the luck of drawing a good event card, or proactively buying travel insurance to save you from the unexpected! It’s a family-friendly game for 2-6 players and perfect for everyone who loves to travel!
14. DryFox Quick Dry Travel Towel
Unless you’re only staying at hotels or using Airbnb, you’re going to need to bring a towel when you travel. Having a lightweight, quick-drying towel makes a huge difference when you’re on the road since regular towels are too bulky and heavy (and they take a long time to dry). Get a travel towel for your next trip so you can travel light. They’re a compact, quick-drying solution that every backpacker needs.
(Use code “nomadicmatt” for 15% off your purchase!)
15. Menstrual Cup
Menstrual cups are reusable, eco-friendly feminine hygiene products. While I can’t speak to their effectiveness personally, tons of female travelers I know are huge fans. It can be a hassle trying to find the products you need while abroad, making this a simple, effective, and affordable addition to your toiletry kit.
Gifts Under $100
16. Trtl Travel Pillow
Travel pillows are perfect for those long-haul flights, delayed buses, and airport naps. Every traveler needs to have a travel pillow on hand to maximize that downtime and time in transit, and Trtl pillows are the best on the market. They help prevent jet lag and make even the longest, most uncomfortable trip a little more bearable.
17. Travel Headlamp
This is a handy tool for both backpackers and anyone looking to do any hiking or camping. In a hostel, a headlamp is helpful if you need to check in or out but don’t want to disturb your fellow travelers. For outdoorsy folks, they’re useful for hiking, setting up camp in the dark, and for emergencies.
18. External Battery
These days, we all travel with numerous electronic devices like phones and tablets. It can be hard to keep them all charged. An external battery solves that problem. Two high-output USB ports make this external battery incredibly convenient, and it can charge most phones up to 6 times in one go!
19. LifeStraw
Environmentally, pollution from single-use plastics is something every traveler has witnessed. And, monetarily, when you’re traveling, continuously buying water gets expensive. Do your part to help the planet by traveling with a reusable filter. LifeStraw is an awesome brand with a built-in water filter. The filters last 5 years so you save money on changing them too.
Gifts Over $100
20. Suavs shoes
Suavs shoes are super versatile and durable, making them perfect for traveling. Whether you’re just exploring the city or in need of something that looks a bit fancier, these shoes can do it all so you don’t have to pack multiple shoes. They are flexible, light, washable, and breathable. I love them! (They look great too!)
21. Travel Backpack
If you’ve got a budget traveler on your holiday list, a travel backpack is the gift that keeps on giving. A well-made bag will last for years and through dozens of adventures. Having a reliable travel backpack is one of the most important items for a traveler.
My favorite bag is the Flash 55 from REI but other companies that make high-quality bags include Osprey, Nomatic, and MEC (for Canadians).
Some bags worth checking out are:
(For a different backpack, check out my guide finding the right backpack for more options!)
22. Travel Clothing from Unbound Merino
These travel clothes are some of the most versatile on the market. Made from merino wool, Unbound offers clothing that can be worn daily for weeks (and months!) without getting smelly. They are perfect for the traveler who wants to pack lighter. I really love the material, they’re comfortable, they hardly ever need a wash, and they last forever!
23. MacBook Air
This is my favorite travel computer. It’s light, it’s powerful enough for regular use, and the battery life lasts a long time. While an iPad might be another potential travel choice, I find the Air much more versatile — especially with their new M4 chip. You can just do a lot more with it. When I’m on the road, this is the laptop I travel with.
For a non-Apple phone with an equally awesome camera, check out the Google Pixel. It has an excellent camera!
24. Noise-Canceling Headphones
These are ideal for those long flights or bus trips as they block out background noise so you can read, work, or sleep without being disturbed. The wireless Bose QuietComfort 45 headphones are fan favorites and my go-to brand. They are comfortable, rechargeable, and do an amazing job at removing background noise. If you’re on a budget, consider the QuietComfort 25 instead.
25. Kindle
While I personally prefer to read physical books, I can’t argue against the convenience and simplicity of the Kindle. Hauling around physical books is a pain if you’re traveling often. With a Kindle, you can pack over 1,000 books into a single device and many versions can also use apps and access the internet. It’s a wonderful gift for the avid reader.
26. GoPro Hero 12
Every traveler needs a camera, and few are as versatile and durable as the GoPro. They’re incredible for photos and video no matter the climate. They’re waterproof and are perfect for both everyday city exploring as well as more extreme and adventurous activities. They’re just awesome. If the Hero 12 is too pricey, grab the 10 or 11. They’re almost as good and a bit cheaper!
Book Your Trip: Logistical Tips and Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner. It’s my favorite search engine because it searches websites and airlines around the globe so you always know no stone is being left unturned.
Book Your Accommodation
You can book your hostel with Hostelworld. If you want to stay somewhere other than a hostel, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:
Want to Travel for Free?
Travel credit cards allow you to earn points that can be redeemed for free flights and accommodation — all without any extra spending. Check out my guide to picking the right card and my current favorites to get started and see the latest best deals.
Need a Rental Car?
Discover Cars is a budget-friendly international car rental website. No matter where you’re headed, they’ll be able to find the best — and cheapest — rental for your trip!
Need Help Finding Activities for Your Trip?
Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace where you can find cool walking tours, fun excursions, skip-the-line tickets, private guides, and more.
Ready to Book Your Trip?
Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel. I list all the ones I use when I travel. They are the best in class and you can’t go wrong using them on your trip.
Capitol Records UK Receives Multiple Awards at MBW’s Music Business UK Awards, Including Sir George Martin Award for Peter Edge
The Music Business UK Awards took place last night (November 4) at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Covent Garden, London.
The sold-out UK-focused ceremony, presented by MBW in association with YouTube, recognized and celebrated artistic and industry talent across songwriting, production, record labels, music publishers, talent management, and more.
The first major honor of the night went to Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), who received the International Executive of the Year award, sponsored by PRS For Music.
The prestigious Sir George Martin Award, meanwhile, went to RCA Records Chairman and CEO, Peter Edge, presented on stage by Steve Lacy.
In his acceptance speech, Edge paid tribute to the award’s namesake, telling the audience: “Growing up in small-town Nuneaton, Warwickshire, I spent hours in my bedroom lost in music. And the Beatles were part of the firmament. They’ve remained that for me, a touchstone I’ve gone back to time and again throughout my career.”
He added: “So tonight, to have my name spoken in the same sentence as Sir George Martin’s — I’m beyond humbled.”
Edge also shared “a few guiding pillars” that he’s tried to follow during his career. “The first and most important pillar,” said Edge, is to “trust the artists”. The second is “to be patient as they grow”.
“And finally,” he added, “when you’re working with artists, you‘ve got to be willing to take risks with them. They’re so often ahead of the culture. But the true greats, they change the culture.”
He also thanked “everyone who’s supported [him] over the years and made this journey possible,” and gave a shout-out to his “Sony Music family”, including “Rob Stringer, Jason Iley, Fleck [John Fleckenstein] & the whole team at RCA”.
Other big winners of the night included Capitol Records UK, which scooped the Major Label: UK A&R Team Of The Year award off the back of successes with the likes of Olivia Dean and Sammy Virji, while Capitol’s Jo Charrington and Willem Ward won the A&R Of The Year: Pop award.
Polydor Label Group, meanwhile, which houses Capitol, Polydor Records, and 0207 Def Jam in the UK, picked up the prize for Major Label: UK Record Company/Group Of The Year, and Polydor’s Richard O’Donovan won in the A&R Of The Year: Alternative category.
Elsewhere, Publisher Of The Year (in the ‘major’ publisher category) was scooped by Kobalt, while the award for Artist/Label Services company, judged solely on UK-signed independent projects made by the nominees, went to The Orchard.
Artist Management Company of the Year went to Ignition, UROK & Debbie Gwyther (in recognition of their joint success with Oasis’ record-breaking global comeback tour), while Owain Davies (Sam Fender) won individual Manager of the Year honors.
Milk & Honey won Songwriter/Producer Management Company of the Year.
In addition to our headline partner YouTube, supporters of this year’s Awards included Hipgnosis, Milk & Honey, PPL, PRS For Music, Spotify, TikTok, Vevo and Chorus.
Here’s every winner:
International Executive Of The Year – supported by PRS For Music
Jody Gerson
Sir George Martin Award
Peter Edge
Producer Of The Year (non-featured) – Supported by YouTube
Zach Nahome
Songwriter Of The Year (non-featured) – supported by Hipgnosis
Max Wolfgang
A&R Administrator (The Forbesie) – supported by PPL
Sarah Stern, Sony Music UK
A&R Of The Year: Adult Contemporary
Glyn Aikins & Joe Iddison, RCA
A&R Of The Year: Dance/Electronic
Adrienne Bookbinder, Sony Music Publishing UK
A&R Of The Year: Pop
Jo Charrington & Willem Ward, Capitol Records UK
A&R Of The Year: Contemporary Black Music – supported by Spotify
Zaza Kazadi, Sony Music Publishing
A&R Of The Year: Alternative
Richard O’Donovan, Polydor
Trailblazer: Richard Antwi Award
DJ AG (Ashley Gordon)
Artist Lawyer Of The Year
Nicky Stein, Clintons
Business Manager of The Year
Daniel Ross, NKSFB
Breakthrough Artist Manager
Emily Braham, Yo&Co
Songwriter/Producer Management Company (UK)
Milk & Honey
UK Artist Management Company (The David Enthoven Award) – supported by Chorus TM
Ignition, UROK & Debbie Gwyther
Artist Manager Of The Year – supported by TikTok
Owain Davies, OD Management
Major Label: UK A&R Team Of The Year
Capitol Records UK
Independent Publisher Of The Year (UK)
Major Publisher Of The Year (UK) – supported by Milk & Honey
Kobalt
Artist & Label Services Company Of The Year (UK)
The Orchard
Independent Label Of The Year (UK)
NWS Music Group
Major Label: UK Record Company/Group Of The Year – supported by Vevo
Polydor Label GroupMusic Business Worldwide
Concept of Toyota Scion 01 Hybrid Side-by-Side Model
Generally Honda is the name among Japan’s Big Three automotive powers that’s pushing out a fast, ferocious new side-by-side during any given calendar year. This time around, though, it’s Toyota. The company adds to its already large list of recent concept debuts with a radical side-x-side that uses a hybrid drive to deliver an extra 50+ hp over any current production SxS out there. At the same time, the four-seater brings back an iconic nameplate that was previously gone but not forgotten.
The Scion 01 – that’s the name Toyota slaps on its new concept OHV (off-highway vehicle), developed for this year’s SEMA show. As many will recall, Toyota launched Scion back in 2003 in the US and Canada as an entry level brand targeting younger buyers. It discontinued it nearly a decade ago after more than a million vehicles sold, reasoning that it had served its purpose in bringing in the type of younger buyer it was after. In fact, Toyota said then the Scion brand had the youngest average buyer age on the market at 36, with 70 percent of Scion buyers representing customers new to Toyota.
“This isn’t a step backward for Scion; it’s a leap forward for Toyota,” Jim Lentz, founding VP of Scion and then-CEO of Toyota North America said in announcing the discontinuation in 2016. “Scion has allowed us to fast-track ideas that would have been challenging to test through the Toyota network. I was there when we established Scion and our goal was to make Toyota and our dealers stronger by learning how to better attract and engage young customers. That’s exactly what we have accomplished.”
Toyota
It’s that type of flexible, experimental spirit that brings the Scion badge back to the surface today. Toyota notes it dusted off the nameplate as a nod to the brand’s former role as a creative test bed. And a Toyota side-x-side is definitely a piece of experimental creativity.
We have no problem using Scion as a model name so long as the make is “Toyota.” Because a side-by-side feels like a natural extension of Toyota’s longstanding role as a global leader in off-road trucks and SUVs like the Hilux, Tacoma and Land Cruiser. In fact, the Scion 01 Concept is the second SxS concept Toyota has revealed in recent times, the first being the hydrogen-engined Lexus ROV from 2021.
Two side-by-side concepts in four years? Is Toyota actually considering getting into the powersports game?
We’re still highly skeptical about any serious production plans, but the Scion 01 does sport a race-spec roll cage developed by Toyota to meet FIA and SCORE regulations. So maybe a UTV run at Baja or Dakar in the future? Toyota already has a rich history racing those events in truck/car classes, so why not stamp its name on a separate page of the books?
Toyota
Whatever it does or does not intend to do in the future, Toyota makes a strong case for the new Scion adventurer right now. A very strong case.
Borrowing powertrain components from its intrepid truck lineup, Toyota installs the turbocharged 2.4-liter hybrid drive from the Tacoma/4Runner to give the Scion 01 up to 300 horsepower with which to work. That may not sound like much on the floor of SEMA, where extreme excess lives and breeds, but it’s enough to best any current factory side-x-side we know of. That comparison was quite easy since we already did the legwork when Kawasaki was teasing and announcing its all-new 250-hp 2026 Teryx4/5 H2, besting Can-Am by a slim but noteworthy 10 hp for the current power crown.
Toyota
Beyond that segment-topping power, the Scion 01 leverages the battery-powered half of its hybrid drive to offer a pure-electric “Silent Mode,” perfect for scouting wildlife down scenic trails or respecting quiet hours when returning to camp after dark.
Toyota doesn’t give any other hard specs, but it does note the 01’s driveline, suspension and brake components also borrow from its official parts bins and have been carefully selected for performance in extreme conditions. The high-powered four-wheeler is designed to do everything a production side-x-side does well: inch slowly up and around rock fields, disappear into its own dust cloud on the dunes, and explore the thinnest ribbons of barely navigable trail for days on end.
Toyota
Toyota does leave us a sliver of hope that the Scion 01 will show up beyond the floor of SEMA, saying: “With exceptional suspension articulation, balanced track width, and a nimble footprint for tight trails, the Scion 01 Concept aims to surpass current SXS products in power, capability and range.”
What’s the point of surpassing the competition without ever competing?
Here’s to hoping the Scion 01 proves more than just a short adventure detour.
Source: Toyota
FAA to Cut Flights by 10% as US Government Shutdown Continues | Aviation News
The agency made the announcement as it confronts staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers who are working unpaid.
Published On 5 Nov 2025
The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will reduce air traffic by 10 percent across 40 “high-volume” markets beginning Friday morning to maintain safety during the ongoing government shutdown, it has said.
The agency made the announcement on Wednesday as it confronts staffing shortages caused by air traffic controllers, who are working unpaid, with some calling out of work during the shutdown, resulting in delays across the country.
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FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford said the agency is not going to wait for a problem to act, saying the shutdown is causing staffing pressures and “we can’t ignore it”.
Bedford and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said they will meet later Wednesday with airline leaders to figure out how to safely implement the reduction.
Widespread delays
The shutdown, now in its 36th day, has forced 13,000 air traffic controllers and 50,000 Transportation Security Administration officers to work without pay. This has worsened staff shortages, caused widespread flight delays and extended lines at airport security screening.
The move is aimed at taking pressure off air traffic controllers. The FAA also warned that it could add more flight restrictions after Friday if further air traffic issues emerge.
Duffy had warned on Tuesday that if the federal government shutdown continued another week, it could lead to “mass chaos” and force him to close some of the national airspace to air traffic, a drastic move that could upend American aviation.
Airlines have repeatedly urged an end to the shutdown, citing aviation safety risks.
Shares of major airlines, including United Airlines and American Airlines, were down about 1 percent in extended trading.
An airline industry group estimated that more than 3.2 million passengers have been affected by flight delays or cancellations due to rising air traffic controller absences since the shutdown began on October 1. Airlines have been raising concerns with lawmakers about the impact on operations.
Airlines said the shutdown has not significantly affected their business, but have warned bookings could drop if it drags on. More than 2,100 flights were delayed on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, FAA’s Bedford said that 20 percent to 40 percent of controllers at the agency’s 30 largest airports were failing to show up for work.
The federal government has mostly closed as Republicans and Democrats are locked in a standoff in Congress over a funding bill. Democrats have insisted they would not approve a plan that does not extend health insurance subsidies, while Republicans have rejected that.
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