Gold prices fell to their lowest level in more than a week as markets scaled back expectations of a US Federal Reserve interest rate cut next month. Spot gold fell 0.1% to $4041.54 an ounce, while gold futures for December delivery fell 0.8% to $4040.30 an ounce.
Wright USA, an insurance company that insured FBI and CIA agents, was acquired by China's Fosun Group. This gave it access to the personal data of US secret service employees.
The US Treasury Department said that sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil are already reducing Russia's oil revenues. The analysis showed that these measures are aimed at reducing the financing of Russia's military efforts against Ukraine.
On November 17, the UN Security Council adopted a US resolution supporting Donald Trump's plan to end hostilities in Gaza and form an international contingent. Russia and China abstained, and Hamas refused to disarm.
The Taiwanese government is for the first time sending millions of civil defense handbooks to all households on the island. The campaign prepares the country for possible crisis situations, including a potential attack by China.
Air India will resume direct flights between New Delhi and Shanghai from February 1, 2026, returning to mainland China after nearly six years. This comes amid a de-escalation of ties between New Delhi and Beijing.
A joint flight display of the American F-35 and the Russian Su-57E took place in Dubai. The UAE previously sought to acquire the F-35, and Saudi Arabia is considered a potential buyer of American aircraft.
Dmytro Medvedev stated that the "special military operation" will continue until the Kremlin's goals are achieved, which are in fact the destruction of Ukraine and the maximum expulsion of Ukrainians.
Cosmetics giant L'Oreal has acquired a minority stake in Chinese mass-market skincare brand Lan, marking the company's second investment in China in recent months. This move underscores China's pivotal role in the corporation's global strategy amid the rise of local brands.
Beijing has officially protested to Washington regarding the potential transfer of weapons by the American side to Taiwan.
The UN Security Council will vote on a US resolution supporting Donald Trump's plan for the future of Gaza. The document has received support from several Arab countries but has drawn objections from Israel and Hamas.
The price of Urals oil fell to $36. 61 per barrel, the lowest since March 2023, ahead of US sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil. This drop will reduce tax revenues to the Russian budget, which funds the war against Ukraine.
Ukrainian intelligence has published OSINT hackathon data on foreign equipment in Russian weapons production, which is already being used for sanctions initiatives. Equipment from Japan, China, and Taiwan has been found at Russian enterprises producing missiles and aerial bombs.
Russian "Gazprom" is developing detailed design documentation for the "Power of Siberia-2" gas pipeline to China, which will transport 50 billion cubic meters of gas per year. The cost of design work can reach 5-10% of the total budget, which is estimated at more than 30 billion dollars.
Lionsgate's "Now You See Me 3" grossed $75. 5 million globally, taking the top spot. Meanwhile, Paramount's "The Running Man" flopped, earning only $11.2 million against a budget of $110 million.
The US must be able to seize the initiative in the fight against any adversary to deter and win future wars. Russia is moving towards prolonging and expanding the current war, exploiting the weakness of Western countries.
US President Donald Trump said that Republicans are considering a Senate bill on sanctions against countries that do business with Russia. The document provides for tariffs of up to 500% on imports from countries that buy Russian energy carriers and do not support Ukraine, including China and India.
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council, stated that modern Russia is incapable of compromise because its elites depend on war. He emphasized that only the destruction of the current Russian elite will guarantee peace in Europe.
Russia's fossil fuel exports in October fell to their lowest levels since the start of the full-scale war, amounting to 524 million euros per day. This is 4% less than in September, due to Ukrainian attacks and international sanctions.
In 2025, trade between Russia and China decreased by 9. 4% to $163.6 billion. This strengthens the Russian economy's dependence on Beijing due to energy and metal exports.
For the first time in 30 years, the United States did not send a delegation to the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, allowing China to take a central role in the global fight against warming. The Chinese pavilion dominates the summit, and its companies are presenting "green future" strategies, strengthening the country's influence.
US President Donald Trump said that the United States will soon conduct nuclear weapons tests, as other countries are doing so. He emphasized that the US has more nuclear weapons than any other country, but at the same time advocates for denuclearization.
Trump administration officials plan to persuade the president to abandon the resumption of nuclear weapons tests. They believe it is impractical and could cause geopolitical tension.
The US may sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia during Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's visit to the White House on Tuesday. The deals will include a possible F-35 contract and LNG imports, as well as discussions on access to AI chips and nuclear technology.
The US has signed a defense contract with Boeing for the production of up to 60 CH-47F Block II heavy-lift helicopters for Germany. The contract is valued at $876 million, with work to be completed by October 28, 2035.
A court in London sentenced 33-year-old Chinese national Chao Xu to life imprisonment for raping, sexually assaulting, and voyeurism against six women. Police called him one of the most active sex offenders, who will serve at least 14 years.
The Dutch government has temporarily taken control of Nexperia, one of Europe's largest semiconductor manufacturers. This decision is aimed at countering China's influence and could prevent Russia from circumventing sanctions.
China's unofficial gold purchases could be 10 times higher than official figures, as the country seeks to diversify its assets away from the US dollar. China's total purchases in 2025 could reach 250 tons, more than a third of the total global demand from central banks.
On Thursday, the US stock market plummeted due to a massive sell-off in AI-related companies. The S&P 500 index fell by 1.7%, and the Nasdaq dropped by 2.6%.
Chinese President Xi Jinping will not participate in the G20 summit, which will be held in November in Johannesburg; he will be represented by Premier Li Qiang. This decision means that the event will take place without the leaders of the US, China, and Russia.
