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As of November 10, 2025, the US government shutdown, the longest in history at over 40 days, is close to ending after bipartisan talks yielded a short-term funding deal. The impasse, rooted in disputes over healthcare subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, has caused widespread disruptions including unpaid federal workers, flight cancellations, and halted food aid for millions.
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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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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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China announced it will resume issuing streamlined permits for rare earth exports, easing restrictions that have impacted global supply chains. The move follows a suspension of controls in October and recent diplomatic talks involving the EU, US, and China, amid ongoing trade tensions and efforts to diversify supply sources.
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On November 10, 2025, Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, marking the first Syrian presidential visit since 1946. This follows the lifting of U.N. and U.S. sanctions on al-Sharaa and Interior Minister Anas Khattab, as Syria seeks to join the U.S.-led coalition against Islamic State and rebuild after years of civil war.
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President Donald Trump attended an NFL game in Maryland where he was seen in the stands and on broadcast. During the game, Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown performed the 'Trump Dance' after a touchdown, which Trump shared on social media. The event coincided with discussions about naming the Washington Commanders' new stadium after Trump amid ongoing stadium development plans.
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At a Washington summit, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. endorsed the 'Make America Healthy Again' movement, praising its questioning of traditional health policies. The event, linked to anti-vaccine groups and attended by political figures, signals increased White House backing for controversial health reforms amid ongoing vaccine skepticism and public distrust.
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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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California Governor Gavin Newsom is actively promoting climate policies at COP30 in Belém, Brazil, emphasizing US competition with China and criticizing the US federal government's absence. He highlights California's renewable energy progress and advocates for US global economic leadership in green tech amid political divisions at home.
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The Zikim crossing into northern Gaza has been reopened for humanitarian aid, after being closed since September. This move aims to increase aid flow amid ongoing shortages and famine conditions, but aid volumes remain below needs despite a ceasefire and international pressure.
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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, was detained in Revere, Massachusetts, while en route to her son's school. She is held in Louisiana awaiting deportation, sparking controversy over immigration enforcement and her legal status, which her family disputes.
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President Trump’s plans to expand the White House ballroom have led to internal conflicts, demolition of the East Wing, and debates over architectural integrity. The project is privately funded with major corporate donors, and faces legislative scrutiny over transparency and historic preservation.
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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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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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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 Trump administration released its 2025 National Security Strategy, marking a sharp shift toward an 'America First' doctrine. It emphasizes restoring U.S. dominance in the Western Hemisphere, criticizes Europe’s trajectory as facing 'civilizational erasure,' downplays Middle East and Africa priorities, and calls for deterring China over Taiwan with allied military buildup.