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Jack Ma has returned to Alibaba’s campuses, taking a more active role than in years, amid a broader push into AI and local services. Meanwhile, Alibaba is expanding its super-app ecosystem with new AI-powered features, competing fiercely with Meituan and others in China’s digital economy.
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A man in Egypt murdered his wife and three children before killing himself. The father stabbed his wife, strangled his children, and then posted farewell messages on Facebook. Authorities are investigating motives amid rising domestic violence reports in Egypt. The incident highlights ongoing family violence concerns.
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OPEC+ agreed to raise oil output by 137,000 barrels per day in November, matching October's increase. The decision follows months of gradual output hikes aimed at balancing market share and prices amid weak demand and geopolitical tensions. The next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 2.
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In a significant shift, Putin publicly admits Russia's air defense missiles detonated near a crashed Azerbaijani plane in Kazakhstan, killing 38. The incident, linked to Ukrainian drone activity, has strained Russia-Azerbaijan relations. Putin promises compensation and an objective investigation, marking a rare acknowledgment of responsibility.
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UAE travelers face higher airfares for regional and European trips amid school holidays, while Disney increases ticket prices, prompting families to adjust plans. New airline routes and premium options aim to meet demand, but affordability remains a concern for many.
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Ukrainian forces targeted key Russian energy infrastructure, including the Orenburg gas processing plant and Novokuybyshevsk oil refinery, causing fires and damage. Russia reports shooting down numerous Ukrainian drones amid ongoing strikes. The attacks follow increased Ukrainian efforts to disrupt Moscow’s war effort.
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Indian and Chinese refiners are suspending or reducing Russian crude purchases amid US sanctions and fears of secondary sanctions. This shift impacts Russian exports, with buyers seeking alternative sources. The US deadline to wind down dealings with sanctioned Russian companies is November 21, 2025.
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Recent articles highlight the US's growing vulnerability due to its dependence on China for rare earth minerals. China’s export controls and dominance in processing threaten US supply chains, impacting clean energy and defense sectors. The US is attempting to diversify but faces significant hurdles.
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As of November 2025, China has suspended key export restrictions on rare earth metals and critical minerals for one year following a trade truce with the US. The move includes suspending controls on gallium, germanium, and antimony exports to North America and issuing general licenses for approved US civilian firms. This aims to stabilize global supply chains amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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The US is increasing investments in rare earth mineral companies amid ongoing tensions with China over export restrictions. Central Asian nations are key to diversifying supply chains, with recent diplomatic efforts highlighting US interest in regional cooperation and resource development. President Trump’s administration emphasizes strengthening critical mineral and military capabilities.
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Kazakhstan is set to join the US-brokered Abraham Accords, despite already having diplomatic ties with Israel since 1992. The move aims to revitalize the accords amid regional tensions, though it is largely symbolic as Kazakhstan's relations with Israel are longstanding. The announcement follows US efforts to expand influence in Central Asia.
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President Trump hosted leaders from Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan at the White House, aiming to strengthen ties and secure critical minerals. The region remains under pressure from Russia and China, with the US seeking strategic footholds amid regional competition.
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The New Orleans police department's decade-long federal oversight ends after a court proceeding in Loyola Law School. The consent decree, initiated in 2012 due to unconstitutional practices, including racial bias, was approved in 2013. Both DOJ and city officials agree the department has made sufficient progress to exit federal oversight, despite ongoing concerns about racial disparities and delays in investigations.
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Settler violence in the West Bank has intensified, targeting mosques and Palestinian property. Recent attacks include vandalism, arson, and graffiti, with Israeli officials condemning the violence. The incidents coincide with broader regional tensions and international concern over stability and security in the area.
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A Russian Soyuz MS-28 mission successfully launched from Baikonur with Russian and NASA astronauts. However, damage to the launch pad was detected post-launch, raising concerns about future missions. Russia plans repairs amid geopolitical and funding challenges affecting the cosmodrome's modernization.
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On November 14, 2025, Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, carrying NASA's twin Escapade spacecraft bound for Mars. The mission aims to study Mars' upper atmosphere and magnetic fields, with arrival expected in 2027. The rocket's first-stage booster was recovered upright on an offshore barge, marking a key milestone in reusable rocket technology and intensifying competition with SpaceX.