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The article discusses China's economic growth, focusing on the concept of 'total factor productivity' (TFP) and its significance in the country's development. China's leaders, including Xi Jinping, emphasize the importance of TFP, which is seen as a hallmark of 'new productive forces.' The article explores how China's economy is being driven by innovation and improvement in TFP, rather than just perspiration or hard work. It highlights the use of Communist Party jargon and mainstream economic terms in official commentary, indicating a shift towards more economically oriented language. The article suggests that China's leaders are keen on improving TFP to sustain economic growth and achieve their development goals.

The article discusses China's efforts to build secret stockpiles of essential goods such as food, fuels, and metals under the leadership of Xi Jinping. The goal is to ensure China's access to these resources remains unaffected by potential trade disruptions, particularly in the event of a second Donald Trump presidency. The article highlights the rapid filling of China's Dongjiakou oil storage facility, which is already 56% full with 24 million barrels of crude oil. This strategic stockpiling is part of a broader strategy to achieve 'Trump-proof' access to vital resources.

The article discusses the Virginia governor's race, focusing on Democrat Abigail Spanberger's campaign, which is characterized as 'strikingly substantive.' Her approach is seen as a positive by Democrats, who view being 'boring' as a strength in contrast to more sensational or divisive political tactics. The article highlights Spanberger's engagement with detailed policy discussions, such as science and space policy, and her release of white papers on various issues. The campaign's strategy is contrasted with the more dramatic or controversial approaches often seen in political races.

A federal judge in Chicago has questioned the use of tear gas by federal agents during a Halloween parade, citing a restraining order. The incident has sparked controversy over the circumstances under which federal agents can deploy chemical irritants, particularly on children. The judge has made it clear that the use of tear gas is essentially never justified.

The article discusses the counterintuitive economics of smoking, highlighting how cigarette manufacturers have seen significant profits despite declining smoking rates. The share prices of American tobacco companies have outperformed the tech-heavy Nasdaq index, with a 65% return on investment in 2024. The operating margin for cigarette sales in America has grown from 50% to 60%, resulting in $22 billion in operating profits in the US. The article explores this phenomenon and its implications.

The article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) is improving market efficiency across various industries such as finance, medicine, and used cars. It highlights examples of how AI can save time and money for individuals by providing quick and cost-effective solutions to various problems. The article suggests that AI is radically changing the way markets operate, making them more efficient and reducing the potential for exploitation.

The article discusses the new sanctions imposed by the US on Russian oil firms Rosneft and Lukoil, and their subsidiaries, by the Trump administration. The aim is to reduce Russia's revenue for its war efforts and support its weakened economy. The sanctions have caused a 5% increase in oil prices. The article questions whether these sanctions will force Russia's Vladimir Putin into a peace agreement, given that previous attempts at diplomacy have failed.

The article discusses the impact of the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on Asian markets. Chinese and Hong Kong markets fell after the meeting, despite Trump announcing a one-year agreement with China on rare earths and critical minerals, and a reduction in fentanyl tariffs. The US Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates also influenced market movements. Other Asia-Pacific markets were mixed, with South Korea's Kospi setting a new record, while Japan's Nikkei 225 and Australia's S&P/ASX 200 saw varying performances. The article highlights the ongoing trade tensions and the implications of the Trump-Xi meeting on global markets.

The article discusses three major news events: the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, the US Federal Reserve's decision to cut interest rates, and the earnings reports from Big Tech companies Alphabet, Meta, and Microsoft. Trump and Xi met in South Korea and agreed on a 1-year rare earths deal and reduced fentanyl-related tariffs on China. The Fed cut rates by 25 basis points, bringing the benchmark interest rate to 3.75%-4%. Big Tech companies reported earnings that beat expectations, but their capital expenditure (capex) growth stole the show, indicating continued investment in artificial intelligence (AI).

European stocks are expected to open in mixed territory on Thursday as investors await corporate earnings, the latest growth data, and a European Central Bank rate decision. The U.K.'s FTSE index is seen opening 0.2% lower, while Germany's DAX is expected to rise 0.18%. Several major companies, including TotalEnergies, ING Groep, and Volkswagen, are set to release their third-quarter earnings. The European Central Bank is likely to keep its key interest rate steady at 2%. Meanwhile, global markets are assessing the meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, which resulted in a one-year agreement on rare earths and other critical minerals. Chinese and Hong Kong markets fell overnight after the meeting, while other Asia-Pacific markets were mixed. U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell indicated that a rate cut in December is not a 'foregone conclusion'.

A South Korean court has ruled that the contract between K-pop girl group NewJeans and Hybe's sublabel ADOR is valid until 2029. The decision has resulted in a significant increase in Hybe's market capitalization, adding approximately $644 million. The ruling is the latest development in a legal dispute that began in 2024 when NewJeans sought to terminate their contract with ADOR, citing contract breaches. The conflict escalated into a lawsuit filed by ADOR against the group, which has now been resolved in favor of Hybe.

Royal Dutch Shell reported a stronger-than-expected third-quarter profit of $5.4 billion, beating analyst expectations. The company attributed its robust performance to operational efficiency and higher trading contributions. Shell announced a $3.5 billion share buyback program over the next three months, marking its 16th consecutive quarter of at least $3 billion in buybacks. The company's shares have risen over 16% year-to-date, outperforming industry peers. Shell's results come as other oil majors report mixed quarterly performances, with TotalEnergies and Equinor experiencing drops in profit. The oil giant's net debt decreased to $41.2 billion, and cash flow from operations stood at $12.2 billion.

Samsung Electronics reported a significant rebound in earnings for the third quarter, with operating profit surging 160% compared to the previous quarter. The company's chip business, particularly its memory chip sales, drove the growth due to strong demand from artificial intelligence servers. Samsung's revenue rose 8.85% from a year earlier, and its operating profit climbed 32.9% in the same period. The company's chip business reported a 19% increase in sales from the June quarter, with its memory business setting an all-time high for quarterly sales. Samsung passed Nvidia's qualification tests for advanced high-bandwidth memory chips and regained the global memory market lead from SK Hynix. The company expects continued growth in AI chip demand and is focusing on the mass production of its next-generation HBM technology, HBM4.

US President Donald Trump's Asia tour ended without a meeting with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, which drew little reaction from North Koreans. Analysts attribute this to Kim's recent diplomatic efforts with China and Russia, making a handshake with the US less significant. North Korea's conditions for meeting Trump remain unchanged, with Kim insisting on being recognized as a nuclear-armed state. Meanwhile, Pyongyang has shown significant development despite sanctions, with modern amenities and a growing middle class.

US President Donald Trump is returning from his Asia tour to face a deepening government shutdown crisis. The shutdown, now in its month-long mark, has severe consequences for millions of Americans, including the potential loss of food assistance and soaring healthcare premiums. Democrats and Republicans are at odds over the shutdown, with Democrats demanding extensions for Affordable Care Act subsidies and Republicans refusing to budge. The crisis is taking a toll on government workers, air traffic controllers, and military personnel. As the situation worsens, there are signs of a potential breakthrough in negotiations between senators, but the outcome remains uncertain. Trump's return is expected to bring new pressure to resolve the impasse, but his willingness to end the shutdown is unclear.

House Minority Leader Jeffries responds to Speaker Johnson's comments calling him and Senate Leader Schumer 'irredeemable'. Jeffries was asked by CNN's Kaitlan Collins if he had given up on Democratic leadership, to which he responded. The exchange comes amid a heated political climate and government shutdown.

Three-star general Lt. Gen. Joe McGee was pushed out of his position on the Pentagon's Joint Staff amid tensions with Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine. McGee's stalled promotion and disagreements with Hegseth and Caine on various issues, including Russia and Ukraine and military operations in the Caribbean, contributed to his early retirement. Hegseth has been known to push out senior military officials who are not aligned with his agenda, with over a dozen officials being removed since he took office in January.

The article discusses an analysis by national security expert Josh Rogin on the relationship between former US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Rogin, Lead Global Security Analyst at the Washington Post Intelligence, joins CNN's Elex Michaelson to discuss the implications of their high-stakes meeting for the rest of the world. The article highlights the complexities of the Trump-Xi relationship and its potential impact on global security.

US President Donald Trump sidestepped a reporter's question regarding a change in nuclear plans during a bilateral meeting with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. Trump had previously announced on Truth Social that the US would resume nuclear weapons testing in response to similar actions by rival nations. The incident has sparked interest in understanding Trump's stance on nuclear testing.

A 20-year-old Connecticut man, Sebastian Van Stockum, has been arrested and charged with murdering his 55-year-old mother, Laura Williams, by bludgeoning her to death with a hammer at their nearly $2 million home in New Canaan. Van Stockum admitted to the crime, stating that he 'took my mom's life' and that he was not mentally well. The incident occurred on October 24, and Van Stockum was found with blood on his clothes, face, and hands. He is being held on a $2 million bond and faces a minimum of 25 years in prison if found guilty.

The article discusses California Governor Gavin Newsom's recent interview on the 'All the Smoke' podcast where he fabricated a 'poorigin' story, claiming to have grown up in poverty and struggled to make ends meet. The author argues that Newsom, who comes from a wealthy and influential family, is part of a trend among Democrats to invent or exaggerate working-class backgrounds to appear more relatable to voters. The article criticizes this behavior as insincere and notes that it is not limited to Newsom, citing examples of other politicians and celebrities who have made similar claims. The author suggests that this trend is a result of the Democrats' struggle to connect with working-class Americans and their attempt to rebrand themselves as champions of the common man.

A staffer for Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, LaMar Cook, was arrested and charged with drug trafficking after authorities intercepted eight kilograms of cocaine being delivered to a state office building. Cook, who served as deputy director of Healey's western Massachusetts office, was also linked to parcels seized at the Hotel UMass in Amherst containing about 13 kilos of cocaine. He was fired from his post after his arrest, and his bail was set at $25,000. The incident has sparked criticism from Healey's political opponents, who have slammed her for 'lost control' of her administration and 'failed leadership'.

The article by Miranda Devine discusses the recent report by the House Oversight Committee titled 'The Biden Autopen Presidency: Decline, Delusion, and Deception in the White House.' The report reveals that Joe Biden's presidency was marked by catastrophic judgments and cognitive decline, with aides and family members covering up his condition. The report accuses Biden's inner circle, including his wife Jill, son Hunter, and several aides, of usurping presidential authority and misusing the autopen. The article argues that Biden's failures led to the capture of the Democratic Party by young left-wingers and that his presidency was characterized by incompetence and corruption.

Longtime Philadelphia radio DJ Pierre Robert, known for his show on WMMR, has died at 70. Robert had been a staple on Philadelphia airwaves for nearly 50 years, broadcasting daily from 1981. He was remembered by colleagues and fans for his love of rock 'n' roll and his connection with listeners. Robert's death was announced by his station, WMMR's parent company Beasley Media Group, with no foul play suspected.

The Toronto Blue Jays are one win away from their first World Series title since 1993 after Trey Yesavage's impressive performance in Game 5, where he set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts and allowed only one earned run. The Blue Jays defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-1 at Dodger Stadium, with Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hitting a solo home run and Shane Bieber having a strong start in the previous game. The Dodgers will need to win Game 6 on the road to stay in the series.

A police raid in Rio de Janeiro's favelas resulted in at least 132 deaths, making it the deadliest operation in the city's history. The raid targeted the Red Command gang and was part of Governor Cláudio Castro's efforts to combat crime ahead of next year's elections. Residents described the scenes as 'war-like', with gunfire, drones dropping explosives, and buses set on fire. The United Nations Human Rights office expressed horror at the operation, while Brazil's President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was 'astonished' by the death toll. The governor defended the operation, stating that it was a necessary response to the gang's violent tactics.

The French parliament has ratified an amendment to include consent in the legal definition of sexual assault and rape. The change follows a years-long debate and was prompted by the high-profile Pelicot rape trial, in which 50 men were convicted of raping Gisèle Pelicot while she was unconscious. The new law states that all sexual acts done without consent constitute rape, and that consent must be 'free and informed, specific, prior and revocable'. Critics had argued that the amendment could lead to 'contractual' sex or force victims to prove non-consent, but France's highest administrative court backed the change.

US President Donald Trump met Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea, marking their first face-to-face interaction since 2019. The meeting lasted for two hours, with the initial 73 seconds being captured on camera, showing the two leaders exchanging handshakes and praise. Trump described the meeting as 'a great success'. The meeting comes after months of escalating tension between the US and China.

K-pop group NewJeans has lost a legal battle against their record label Ador, with a South Korean court ruling that their contract remains valid until 2029. The group had announced plans to leave the label, citing mistreatment and manipulation, but the court rejected their argument that the dismissal of their mentor, former Ador CEO Min Hee-jin, constituted a breach of contract. NewJeans plans to appeal the ruling.

The US is reducing its troops on Nato's eastern flank, with Romania announcing that between 900 and 1,000 American troops will remain, down from 1,700. The decision is seen as a result of the Trump administration's new priorities, shifting focus towards the Indo-Pacific region. One US brigade at the Mihai Kogalniceanu airbase will be rotated out and not replaced. The Pentagon stressed that the decision does not constitute a 'withdrawal from Europe or a signal of lessened commitment to Nato and Article 5'. Eastern European countries are concerned about the announcement, while a Nato official emphasized that Washington's commitment to the alliance remains 'clear'.

Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD saw a significant surge in sales in Europe in September, with new-car registrations jumping nearly fivefold from a year earlier to just under 25,000. This narrows the gap with market leader Tesla, which posted a 10.5% year-on-year decline in September sales. BYD's expansion in Europe includes launching more models and expanding its sales network, with plans to double its showrooms to 2,000 in 2026 and create a complete local supply chain for its European production by 2028.

Award-winning Harvard University scientist Xie Zhenfei has left the US to join China's leading biosafety laboratory in Wuhan, where he will continue his research on developing an effective HIV vaccine using mRNA technology. Xie was a rising star at Harvard and a key author on a landmark paper published in the journal Science that demonstrated a new method for using mRNA technology to combat HIV's fast mutation rate. He has joined the State Key Laboratory of Virology and Biosafety in Wuhan as an independent principal investigator and doctoral supervisor.

A Chinese research team has made a significant breakthrough in the semiconductor industry by developing a method that can reduce defects in lithography, a critical step in chip manufacturing, by up to 99%. The team used cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET) to identify the sources of manufacturing flaws, achieving unprecedented clarity. The findings were published in Nature Communications and hailed as a 'fancy tool' that could benefit researchers and industrial users. The method is compatible with existing semiconductor production lines and can substantially reduce costs.

The US has imposed fresh sanctions on two major Russian oil producers, Rosneft and Lukoil, pressuring India to stop buying discounted Russian oil. Many Indian refiners have paused new orders, and instead, are expected to increase purchases of other goods from Moscow. The four sanctioned firms accounted for over 80% of India's Russian oil imports in 2024, and Indian oil processors are trying to understand how much oil they can buy from non-sanctioned entities and at what price.

The Hong Kong Civil Service Bureau has clarified that government employees are not allowed to apply for 'authorised absences' to attend official events related to the upcoming Legislative Council election. The clarification came after a union reportedly suggested its members could apply for authorised absence to join election events. The bureau stressed that civil servant unions should only invite government employees to participate in election-related activities during off-hours and in a personal capacity. Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu had earlier urged civil servants to vote in the December 7 poll, stressing they should set an example by fulfilling their civic responsibility.

A memorial mural dedicated to Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, who were kidnapped and killed by Hamas terrorists, was vandalized in Milan, Italy. The mural, created by artist AleXsandro Palombo, was defaced during a memorial service for the victims of the October 7, 2023 attacks. Palombo condemned the vandalism as an antisemitic act and a 'serious desecration.' The vandalism is the latest in a series of attacks on Palombo's work, which he says is a testament to the ongoing threat of antisemitism and the importance of his art as a form of resistance.

Pakistan's defense minister threatened to 'obliterate' the Taliban after peace negotiations in Istanbul failed to yield a workable solution. The talks collapsed due to disagreements over terror groups operating from Afghanistan and attacking Pakistani security forces. The two countries had agreed to a ceasefire but clashes continued, resulting in dozens of deaths along their border. Pakistan accused the Taliban of deflection and blame-shifting, while Afghanistan claimed it had no control over the Pakistani Taliban.

Tarek Bazrouk, a 20-year-old Palestinian American, was sentenced to 17 months in prison for antisemitic attacks on Jewish protesters at pro-Israel rallies in New York City. Bazrouk pleaded guilty to one count of a federal hate crime and was accused of punching and kicking Jewish protesters on multiple occasions. Prosecutors presented evidence that Bazrouk supported Hamas and Hezbollah and had made antisemitic statements. Bazrouk's lawyer argued for a six-month sentence, claiming he was a victim of 'political repression,' but the judge handed down a longer sentence, citing the severity of the crime.

Bill Gates has written a memo cautioning against taking a 'doomsday view' on climate change, arguing that while it's a major problem, the planet's future is not as dire as some predict. Gates, who has invested billions in green technology, believes that a 'doomsday' approach can divert resources from more effective solutions. The memo has drawn a mixed reaction from climate scientists and experts, with some agreeing that the focus should be on human welfare and adaptation, while others criticize Gates for understating the consequences of climate change. Gates has personally invested over $2 billion in green technology and launched Breakthrough Energy Ventures to fund research and technology aimed at reducing carbon emissions.

A massive police raid on a drug-trafficking gang in Rio de Janeiro's favelas resulted in over 100 deaths, including four police officers, and sparked widespread controversy. The operation, involving 2,500 police and soldiers, targeted the Red Command gang and led to the arrest of 81 suspects and the seizure of 93 rifles and over half a ton of drugs. Human rights organizations have called for investigations into the deaths, with some describing the operation as a 'policy of extermination' that disproportionately affects Black and poor communities. The raid has also been criticized for its lack of strategy and its focus on killing lower-ranking gang members rather than the masterminds.

A new US study has found that Covid-19 and flu infections can significantly increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. The risk triples within the first few weeks after a Covid-19 infection and quadruples in the month after a flu infection. The study, which analyzed over 150 existing research papers, found that various viral infections, including shingles, hepatitis C, HIV, and dengue, are linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Experts say that the increased risk is likely due to inflammation caused by the infections, and that vaccines can help reduce the severity of disease and lower the risk of heart complications.

Dozens of undergraduates at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign were caught cheating in an introductory data science course. When confronted by their professors, they used AI to write apology emails. The professors, known as the Data Science Duo, recognized that the emails were generated by AI due to their identical nature and overly formal language. The incident highlights the increasing use of AI in academic dishonesty.

Microsoft experienced a significant outage affecting thousands of users, impacting services such as Office 365, X-Box Live, and Azure. The issue was related to problems with its domain name system. Downdetector reported over 105,000 users were affected by the Azure outage. Microsoft investigated and later confirmed that a fix had been rolled out to address the issue. The outage occurred just hours before Microsoft's quarterly earnings report and followed a similar outage at Amazon's AWS cloud service the previous week.

The Toronto Blue Jays took a 3-2 lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series after a 6-1 victory in Game 5. Trey Yesavage, a 22-year-old rookie pitcher, set a World Series rookie record with 12 strikeouts and no walks. The Blue Jays opened the game with back-to-back homers by Davis Schneider and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Dodgers struggled with their offense, hitting .202 in the Series and scoring just four runs in their last 29 innings. The Blue Jays are now one win away from their first championship since 1993.

The U.S. military destroyed a vessel in the eastern Pacific on Wednesday that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said was carrying illegal drugs toward the United States, killing four males on board whom he described as 'narco-terrorists.' The incident is the latest in a series of operations by the U.S. military to disrupt narcotics trafficking in the region. The action was taken in accordance with U.S. national security policies aimed at combating drug trafficking and terrorism.