Asian stocks plunge, Newsom commutes 548 death sentences, Ronaldo retires from Portugal
Japan and South Korea's markets tumble after Wall Street's AI sell-off, California's governor moves to empty death row, Melania Trump hosts Russian and Ukrainian officials, a second wave of bomb threats hits European flights, and Cristiano Ronaldo quits international soccer.
Japan's Nikkei 225 fell 6.2% in Friday morning trading, and South Korea's Kospi briefly fell more than 8%, triggering a circuit breaker that halted trading for 20 minutes. Taiwan's benchmark also fell more than 8%. The drop followed Thursday's sell-off of artificial intelligence and chip stocks, when the S&P 500, Dow and Nasdaq had their worst day since April 2025. The Nasdaq is now in correction territory, more than 10% below its October record.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Thursday in an open letter that he will change all 548 death sentences in the state to life in prison without the possibility of parole. The Death Penalty Information Center says it would be the largest mass clemency in U.S. history, cutting the national death row population by nearly 30%. Under the state constitution, the California Supreme Court must approve clemency for people convicted of more than one felony, which applies to about two-thirds of the cases. California has not carried out an execution since 2006.
Gov. Newsom and supporters sayNewsom wrote that "state-sanctioned killing is incompatible with California's values" and said he alone bears responsibility for the decision. The ACLU and the Death Penalty Information Center praised the move.
Critics sayThe California District Attorneys Association, other prosecutors, law enforcement and victims' groups say it disregards the decisions of jurors, judges and voters, who rejected repeal of the death penalty in 2012 and 2016.
First Lady Melania Trump hosted Russian and Ukrainian officials at the White House on Thursday, including Putin envoy Kirill Dmitriev and Ukrainian lawmaker David Arakhamia. She urged both sides to build on a recent six-day humanitarian truce in Russian-occupied Oleshky, which allowed aid deliveries and the evacuation of nearly 800 people. The White House says it was believed to be the first time a first lady brought representatives of two nations at war to the White House. U.S.-brokered talks between Russia and Ukraine are expected in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 10 and 11.
More than a dozen passenger flights across Europe received bomb threats on Thursday, the second wave this week, causing diversions, emergency landings and security checks. Bulgarian air force jets escorted three airliners to the ground, and an Aer Lingus flight from Dublin to Rome was diverted to France. No explosives were reported found, and no country has said who is responsible. Earlier this week, at least seven flights and a cruise ship received threats; no devices were found.
Cristiano Ronaldo, 41, announced Thursday that he is retiring from Portugal's national team after 23 years, with 146 goals in 234 appearances, the most of any man in international history. He cited a falling-out with coach Jorge Jesus. Ronaldo, who won Euro 2016 and two Nations League titles with Portugal, will keep playing club soccer for Al Nassr.
