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Carrefour, once a leading hypermarket chain, is rapidly retreating from several Middle Eastern markets, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, and Oman, with its franchise partner Majid Al Futtaim replacing it with the local brand HyperMax. The closures follow regional political pressures and strategic shifts, while Carrefour continues to operate in some markets like the UAE and Egypt.
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India advanced to the Asia Cup final after a dramatic win over Sri Lanka, with key milestones from Arshdeep Singh and Hardik Pandya. Sri Lanka's Nissanka scored a century but fell in the final over, forcing a Super Over. India’s victory secures their place in the final against Pakistan today.
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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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Following a US government funding lapse, US embassies across the Gulf and Asia have reduced operations. Consular services like passports and visas continue, but social media updates are limited. The shutdown affects multiple agencies, with essential functions maintained, creating uncertainty for travelers and US citizens abroad.
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Several African nations have secured qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with South Africa returning after 2010, Ghana qualifying automatically, and other countries like Algeria and Egypt also confirmed. Meanwhile, ongoing qualifiers in Asia and the Middle East continue to shape the final lineup for the expanded tournament.
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GCC nations from Saudi Arabia to Oman now offer various long-term visas, allowing foreigners to live, work, and invest without local sponsors. The UAE's Golden Visa led the trend, with other countries adopting their own versions, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, each with specific investment and residency criteria.
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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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Turkey has signed a deal with Britain to purchase 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets for £8 billion, with plans to acquire additional aircraft from Qatar and Oman. The move aims to bolster Turkey’s air power amid regional tensions, and follows Ankara’s diplomatic efforts to increase its influence in the Middle East and NATO.
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Stock market returns for newly listed companies have fallen sharply this year, with median gains dropping from over 20% to under 3%. Meanwhile, New Jersey Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill faces scrutiny over her stock trading during her time in office, raising questions about insider trading and political ethics.
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On October 27, 2025, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a £8 billion ($10.7 billion) deal for Turkey to acquire 20 Eurofighter Typhoon jets. This deal strengthens NATO's southeastern flank and supports Turkey's interim air defense needs until its indigenous KAAN fighter jet becomes operational around 2028. Turkey also seeks to acquire additional jets from Qatar and Oman and aims to rejoin the U.S. F-35 program.
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Daylight saving time ends this weekend in many regions, with clocks set back an hour. New Stanford research supports adopting permanent standard time, citing health benefits linked to circadian rhythm alignment. The change impacts sleep, health, and international coordination, especially between Europe, North America, and Israel.
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As of November 2025, Iran's nuclear program remains under intense international scrutiny following a 12-day war with Israel in June, during which the US joined strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The IAEA has conducted inspections but lacks access to key facilities like Fordow and Natanz. Iran vows to rebuild its nuclear infrastructure stronger, rejects direct US talks, and insists its program is peaceful despite Western concerns and renewed sanctions.
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The Hayli Gubbi volcano in Ethiopia's Afar region erupted on Sunday, sending ash clouds across Yemen, Oman, India, and Pakistan. No casualties reported, but villages are covered in ash, affecting livestock and travel. The eruption is the first in 12,000 years, with ongoing regional impacts.
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Houthi rebels announced the release of 10 mariners, including Filipinos and Indians, after claiming Oman took custody of them. The ships targeted in recent attacks, which have sunk vessels and killed mariners, saw a temporary ceasefire during the Gaza conflict. The situation remains tense with ongoing maritime threats.