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On November 18, 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met President Donald Trump at the White House to advance a U.S.-Saudi defense pact, including arms sales like F-35 jets, and discuss economic cooperation. Saudi Arabia remains firm that normalization with Israel hinges on a credible, time-bound pathway to Palestinian statehood. Meanwhile, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia are restoring commercial ties after years of strain.
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On November 10, 2025, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa visited the White House, the first Syrian leader to do so since independence. The meeting with President Donald Trump focused on lifting sanctions, Syria’s integration into a US-led coalition against ISIS, and a potential security pact involving Israel. The US suspended Caesar Act sanctions for six months, signaling a shift in regional alliances and Syria’s international rehabilitation.
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Recent data shows a 17% drop in first-time international students entering US colleges this fall, the sharpest decline since COVID-19. Overall enrollment fell slightly, but many universities face revenue shortfalls. Visa processing delays and restrictive policies are key factors, raising concerns about future international education trends.
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On November 18, 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman made his first U.S. visit since the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. Despite U.S. intelligence linking the prince to the murder, President Trump warmly welcomed him, announcing plans to sell F-35 jets and pursue economic and defense deals, while pressing for Saudi-Israel normalization.
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President Trump has retroactively exempted key food imports, including beef, coffee, and bananas, from tariffs imposed earlier this year. The move aims to address rising grocery prices amid political pressure following recent elections where affordability was a key issue. The exemptions reflect a shift in trade policy and negotiations with trading partners.
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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, once a US-designated terrorist, has visited Washington, marking a historic shift. He met with Trump, discussed anti-ISIS cooperation, sanctions relief, and regional stability. Syria's entry into the US-led coalition signals a major change in US-Syria relations amid ongoing regional tensions.
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Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman met with former President Trump, highlighting enduring strategic interests despite past controversies. The meeting signals continued close ties, with MBS positioning himself as a regional peacemaker and reformer, amid ongoing regional conflicts and economic challenges.
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As of early December 2025, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has paused green card, citizenship, and asylum applications from nationals of 19 countries previously designated as high-risk under a 2025 travel ban. This follows a November attack in Washington by an Afghan national granted asylum. USCIS will conduct comprehensive reviews and interviews for immigrants from these countries who entered since January 2021, with no set date to lift the pause.
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Cristiano Ronaldo visited the White House on Nov 19, 2025, as part of US efforts to strengthen relations with Saudi Arabia. The visit coincides with Prince Mohammed bin Salman's first US trip since 2018 and US arms sales to Riyadh. Ronaldo's presence highlights Saudi's growing influence in sports and geopolitics.
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President Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, featuring a lavish welcome and discussions on military, economic, and regional issues. The visit included plans for significant Saudi investments in the US, sale of F-35 jets, and efforts to normalize relations with Israel, amid ongoing concerns over human rights and regional stability.
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President Biden hosted Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, marking his first visit since 2018. The event reignited debate over the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, with U.S. intelligence concluding bin Salman approved the operation, though he denied involvement. Biden's stance and the visit's implications remain contentious.
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President Trump announced that the US has designated Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally, following a strategic defense agreement and new arms deals, including F-35 fighter jets and tanks. The move aims to strengthen regional security and economic ties, with implications for Middle East power dynamics.
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New York City Mayor-elect Mamdani will meet President Trump in the Oval Office on November 21. The meeting, set amid ongoing tensions, aims to discuss city affordability and safety. Trump has previously threatened to cut federal funds and labeled Mamdani a communist. The encounter could signal a shift in relations.
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Former US spy Jonathan Pollard met with US Ambassador Mike Huckabee in July at the US Embassy in Jerusalem. The meeting, kept off official schedules, was confirmed by Pollard and has sparked controversy, with US officials alarmed by the breach and questions about approval. Pollard criticized US officials' handling of Middle East peace efforts and accused some of working against Israeli interests.
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President Trump and incoming NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani met privately in the Oval Office, marking a rare encounter between political opposites. They discussed affordability and safety, with both expressing a desire to improve the city despite previous insults and disagreements. The meeting signals a potential shift in relations.
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US Thanksgiving food costs are volatile amid rising wholesale turkey prices due to avian flu, while consumer sentiment hits 40-year lows. Retailers and politicians present conflicting data on affordability, with some claiming prices are down, but wholesale costs and consumer worries suggest ongoing inflation pressures.
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Due to ongoing construction, the White House's holiday decorations are scaled back, with shorter tours and fewer rooms open to the public. First lady Melania Trump opted for traditional themes, while President Trump added personal touches, highlighting a contrast in holiday styles amid the renovation.
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Bethany MaGee, 26, was set on fire on a Chicago train by Lawrence Reed, a repeat offender with 72 arrests. Reed faces terrorism charges. The incident has reignited debates over crime and justice policies in Chicago, with President Trump criticizing the city's safety and justice system.
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Bruna Ferreira, a Brazilian immigrant and DACA recipient living in Massachusetts, was detained by ICE while en route to pick up her son. She was released on bond after legal challenges, amid controversy over her status and ties to White House officials. The case highlights ongoing immigration enforcement issues.
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President Trump’s plans to expand the White House ballroom have led to significant construction changes, including demolishing the East Wing. The project faces internal disagreements over size and design, with new architect Shalom Baranes joining after clashes with the previous firm. Public and political reactions remain divided.
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On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were shot near the White House in Washington, DC. Both were critically wounded and later confirmed dead. The suspect, also wounded, was taken into custody. The shooting occurred amid ongoing controversy over President Trump's deployment of National Guard troops to combat crime in Democratic-run cities.
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On November 26, 2025, two West Virginia National Guard members were critically wounded in a targeted shooting near the White House. The suspect, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national who arrived in the US via the Biden administration's Operation Allies Welcome in 2021, was taken into custody with non-life-threatening injuries. President Trump ordered 500 additional National Guard troops to Washington, DC.
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On November 27, 2025, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan who served in CIA-backed paramilitary units, shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one and critically wounding the other. Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under Operation Allies Welcome and was granted asylum in 2025. The attack has sparked scrutiny of refugee vetting and immigration policies.
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New York City mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani met with President Trump at the White House, aiming to build rapport and discuss city issues. The meeting, initially tense, turned friendly, with Trump backing off threats to withhold federal funds. Mamdani emphasized collaboration on affordability and safety, signaling a potential shift in NYC politics.
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Rahmanullah Lakanwal, an Afghan national linked to US military operations in Afghanistan, shot two National Guard members near the White House, killing one. The attack, investigated as terrorism, has prompted a broader US crackdown on Afghan immigrants, with upgraded charges and increased security measures.
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On November 27-28, 2025, President Donald Trump announced a permanent pause on migration from "Third World countries" following a deadly shooting by an Afghan national. He vowed to end federal benefits for non-citizens, review asylum cases approved under Biden, and deport immigrants deemed security risks or "non-compatible with Western civilization." The move escalates immigration restrictions amid political tensions.
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Amid ongoing tensions, U.S. universities are negotiating with the government over federal funding freezes linked to protests and anti-Israel boycotts. Israeli academia faces increased international boycotts, while Harvard and Northwestern settle disputes over funding and campus policies, reflecting broader political and diplomatic pressures.
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President Trump announced an $11 billion aid package for US farmers affected by trade tariffs and global trade shifts. The aid, funded by tariff revenues, aims to support small-scale producers and stabilize agricultural prices amid ongoing trade disputes with China and other countries. The package is part of broader efforts to address rising food costs and economic pressures.
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On November 30, 2025, President Donald Trump declared the airspace above and surrounding Venezuela closed, escalating tensions with Nicolás Maduro's government. The U.S. cites drug trafficking concerns amid a military buildup in the Caribbean. Venezuela condemned the move as illegal aggression. Airlines suspended flights following FAA warnings, and Venezuela revoked their operating rights. Trump hinted at imminent land operations against drug traffickers.
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A confidential report by 24 FBI agents criticizes Director Kash Patel's first six months in office, citing inexperience, poor leadership, and internal mistrust. The report highlights incidents including Patel's public remarks, mishandling of cases, and a culture of politicization, amid ongoing speculation about his future.
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Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe was critically wounded in a November ambush at a Washington subway station, near the White House. His condition has improved, and he is now transitioning to inpatient rehab. Spc. Sarah Beckstrom, who was killed, was buried this week. The attacker, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, faces murder charges.
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Fuel prices in the UK and US remain high amid falling oil prices, with UK pump prices not reflecting recent oil cost declines. US gas prices are also low but are expected to rise due to increased exports and inflation. Experts highlight industry profit margins and policy impacts as key factors.
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The US government is reviewing Afghan immigration cases following a shooting incident involving an Afghan national. President Trump announced a pause on Afghan asylum applications and a re-examination of recent arrivals, citing national security concerns amid rising hostility towards Afghan immigrants in the US.
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Following a deadly shooting in Washington, D.C., President Trump announced a broadening of his immigration policies, including a temporary halt on migration from certain countries, threats to strip citizenship, and mass deportations of legal residents deemed a threat to national security.
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On December 5, 2025, the US released a 33-page National Security Strategy (NSS) outlining a major shift in foreign policy. It prioritizes American dominance in the Western Hemisphere, military strength in the Indo-Pacific, and adopts a critical stance on Europe’s future, warning of "civilizational erasure" due to migration and political trends. The strategy downplays ideological promotion abroad, focusing on pragmatic trade and alliances, and signals a distancing from traditional European partnerships.
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The 2026 National Defense Authorization Act includes provisions demanding unedited videos of US military strikes and increased accountability, amid scrutiny of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's handling of strikes off Venezuela. The bill also addresses troop levels, Ukraine aid, and social policies, reflecting bipartisan concerns over transparency and military commitments.
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On December 11, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to preempt state-level AI regulations by establishing a unified federal framework. The order directs the Attorney General to challenge state laws deemed burdensome and threatens to withhold federal funding from states enforcing conflicting AI rules. The move has sparked bipartisan opposition, legal challenges, and fierce pushback from states like California, which have enacted their own AI safety laws.
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The Biden administration unveiled a $12 billion aid package for farmers affected by trade disputes, inflation, and market disruptions. The aid includes bridge payments for crops like soybeans, cotton, and wheat, aiming to provide market certainty amid ongoing trade tensions with China. The announcement follows recent divestments by key officials to avoid conflicts of interest.
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Former President Trump announced a new program allowing foreigners and companies to pay large fees for expedited U.S. permanent residency, featuring a 'Trump Gold Card' with a portrait of Trump. The program aims to generate revenue and prioritize immigrants who benefit the U.S.