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Starting in 2026, the UAE will shift from a flat 50% excise tax on sugary drinks to a volume-based system linked to sugar content. This aims to promote healthier choices, reduce prices for low-sugar beverages, and encourage reformulation by manufacturers. The change reflects broader health and economic strategies.
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Despite a ceasefire in November 2024, Israel continues near-daily airstrikes in Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, causing civilian casualties and damage. Recent attacks include strikes on villages, infrastructure, and Hezbollah sites, with civilian deaths including U.S. citizens. UN peacekeepers report Israeli grenades near their personnel, highlighting ongoing tensions.
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The US is weighing broad sanctions against the International Criminal Court, potentially targeting the entire court, in response to investigations into alleged Israeli war crimes. This move could disrupt the court's operations and escalate tensions with member countries. The decision is expected soon, amid diplomatic discussions.
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Recent US government restrictions on H-1B visas, including a new $100,000 entry fee, have caused confusion and cancellations among travelers and companies. Passengers on Emirates flights and travel agencies in the UAE report disruptions, with many reconsidering US-bound travel plans amid uncertainty about re-entry rules and costs. The policy's impact is ongoing today.
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As of October 7, 2025, nearly 1,000 hikers and over 300 guides were trapped on Mount Everest's eastern Tibetan slopes after a severe blizzard began Friday. About 580 trekkers and guides have since been rescued to Qudang township, while over 200 remain stranded but in contact with rescuers. The storm caused hypothermia and collapsed tents. Meanwhile, Nepal faces deadly floods and landslides killing at least 47 people.
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Lebanese authorities are exploring legal avenues to hold Israel accountable for attacks on journalists during the October 2023 conflict. Human Rights Watch and UN officials describe the incident as a war crime, with Lebanon's government taking a significant step toward justice after years of impunity.
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The US is weighing extensive export restrictions on technology to China, including software and engines, in response to China's threat to restrict rare-earth exports. The move aligns with previous measures against Russia and involves coordination with G7 allies. The decision reflects escalating tech tensions between the US and China.
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The FAA has ordered flight reductions at 40 major US airports due to staffing shortages caused by the ongoing government shutdown. Over 7,900 flights have been canceled since last week, with delays expected to increase as staffing issues persist and winter weather impacts travel. The shutdown continues to affect air traffic control operations nationwide.
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The US has conducted at least 19 military strikes against vessels in the Caribbean and Pacific, claiming they are drug trafficking narco-terrorists. The campaign, justified by the US as a conflict with drug cartels, faces widespread legal and regional opposition, with critics calling the strikes illegal extrajudicial killings.
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Fighting in Sudan's Darfur region has intensified, with RSF capturing el-Fasher and reports of mass killings, widespread violence, and a collapsing humanitarian effort. Over 16,200 people have fled to camps, with malnutrition and violence reaching alarming levels. Aid access remains critically limited as conflict persists.
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Official UK data shows unemployment increased to 5% in the three months to September, the highest since 2016, amid slowing wage growth and a weakening jobs market. The government faces pressure to adjust fiscal policies ahead of the upcoming Budget, with signals of potential interest rate cuts from the Bank of England.
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As of December 1, 2025, Airbus has completed software updates on the vast majority of its 6,000 affected A320-family jets worldwide following a recall triggered by a JetBlue flight incident in late October. The fix, primarily a rollback to earlier software versions, addresses data corruption caused by intense solar radiation affecting flight controls. Most aircraft are back in service, with fewer than 100 still pending updates.
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Fighting in Sudan has led to the fall of al-Fashir, causing a humanitarian crisis with nearly 100,000 fleeing. Civilians face violence, starvation, and displacement, with aid efforts hampered by funding shortages and insecurity. The conflict has shifted to Kordofan, raising fears of further displacement.
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As of December 2025, Tunisia's government under President Kais Saied has sentenced around 40 opposition figures, journalists, and activists to prison terms ranging from two to 45 years on charges of terrorism and conspiracy. Critics and rights groups denounce these as politically motivated trials aimed at silencing dissent. Hunger strikes and protests continue amid international condemnation.