Global

Geopolitical risks worst in 50 years, warns oil services boss^FT^

“From a historical context I’ve heard people say, you go back to the oil embargo of 1973 — that being somewhat similar,” said Lorenzo Simonelli, chief executive of Baker Hughes, in an interview with the Financial Times. “But in my tenure, no [the geopolitical climate has not been this fragile],” he added. “This is, from a political standpoint, very fluid.”

One in three children worldwide do not have adequate water^PW^ IMF considering a 50% increase in quotas to reinforce global financial stability^MP^

Diamond industry takes radical steps to stem price decline^RT^ G7 Russian diamond plan will devastate African miners – regulator^RT^

Will the largest telescope project on Earth become part of China’s Belt and Road Initiative in the US’ absence?^SCMP^ The controversy is basically "is this just an international co-operation project or is it part of the Belt and Road - the scientists think the former, the Chinese media thinks the latter.

Europe:

EU: Gender pay gap still at 13%, commission says^DW^ EU agrees mineral supply targets to cut reliance on China^Euractiv^

Far right steadily leading Austria’s polls^Euractiv^

Bulgaria’s latest local elections ended Gerb’s decades of domination, as the party lost several big cities, including the capital Sofia^BNE^ Bulgaria’s government close to collapse amid tensions over Russian oil imports^BNE^ Bulgaria's sole refinery at risk of shutdown – Lukoil^RT^

Estonia's Kallas revived her bid for NATO secretary-general as domestic sharks circle^BNE^

France’s presence at NATO not profitable, country’s auditors say^Euractiv^

Germany: Number of bankruptcies continues to grow^DW^ German Constitutional Court rules climate change fund is unconstitutional — A signal for further social cuts^WSWS^ Germany to back €20 billion bid to build hydrogen pipe network^Euractiv^ Germany sees rise in attacks on refugees^PD^ German homebuilding collapse threatens wider economic damage^FT^

Greece reportedly stalls start of accession talks with Albania^BNE^

Iceland declares state of emergency as it braces for volcanic eruption^CGTN^ Fissures open up on the streets of an Iceland fishing town near a volcano that may soon erupt^EN^

Italy’s left parties vow dialogue to take down Meloni’s government^Euractiv^ Italy gripped by strike over government's budget plan^PD^ CIA-Connected Private Equity to Buy Italy’s Critical Communications Infrastructure^NC^

Norway reluctant to ban deep sea mining in the Arctic, despite French pressure^Euractiv^

Left party pushes to ease Poland’s strict abortion laws^Euractiv^

Spain: Thousands protest amnesty for Catalan separatists^DW^ Sánchez re-elected Prime Minister of Spain^MP^ Sánchez secures term renewal as right-wing steps up ‘patriotic resistance’^Euractiv^

Switzerland intends to keep its nuclear power plants operational for longer than previously planned amid fears of electricity shortages^RT^ Nuclear is ~40% of electricity generation.

Despite expectations for a bumper grain harvest this year, Ukraine’s farmers are expecting exports to fall this year^BNE^ Zelenskiy warns Russia planning to destabilise Balkans and Moldova^BNE^ German farmers: Ukraine membership would spell end of EU farming system^Euractiv^

UK inflation slows sharply to 4.6%^FT^ Record number of UK households seek help with cost-of-living issues^FT^ ‘They have no other option’: Charities struggle to cope with England’s surge in rough sleepers^FT^ UK: David Cameron returns to government as foreign secretary^DW^ Supreme Court Rules Against UK's Asylum Policy: Rwanda's Response;^AN^ Rishi Sunak optimistic over asylum plan with Rwanda depsite court ruling^AN^

Western Asia:

China calls for establishing nuclear-weapon-free zone in Middle East^CGTN^

Armenia receives shipment of French armored vehicles through Georgia^EN^ Azerbaijan continues to snub peace talks as U.S. moves to boost support to Armenia^EN^

Iran registers 75% rise in e-commerce transactions^BNE^ Iran, Kazakhstan agree to boost cooperation^PD^

Qatar’s Careful Balancing Act In Energy And Geopolitics^NC^

Qatar continues to play a diplomatic balancing act between East and West. Recent developments surrounding the ongoing Israel-Hamas War appear to have cemented the U.S. view that Qatar can now be regarded as a trusted ally of the West. Qatar Energy closed a 27-year LNG supply deal with China’s Sinopec for 3 million metric tons per annum.

Everything You Need to Know About Saudi Aramco^DS^

U.S. carries out air strikes in Syria against Iran-linked facilities^CGTN^

UAE Oil Fields Constantly Flaring Despite 20-Year-Old Commitment To Stop, Analysis Shows^DS^

Central Asia:

Lavrov accuses EU of trying but failing to drive Russia out of Central Asia^BNE^

Putin holds a third oligarch meeting^BNE^ Russia’s inflation breaks 7% in mid-November^BNE^ Russian currency jumps to five-month high^RT^ Russia reportedly prepares to lift diesel and gasoline export restrictions two months after the measures were introduced^BNE^ Russian grain farmers anticipating another record-breaking harvest^BNE^

Eastern Asia and Oceania:

Death, injury and disease: the battle to improve working conditions in South Asia’s shipbreaking yards^ET^

Bangladesh garment exporters say western brands not paying ‘ethical prices’^FT^ Chinese-built railway inaugurated in Bangladesh to bolster connectivity, transportation infrastructure^CGTN^ Bangladesh inaugurates first green fertilizer factory^PD^

China's economy recovery gains pace in October^CGTN^ China launches world’s fastest internet with 1.2 terabit per second link, years ahead of forecasts^SCMP^ China launches world's 1st ultra-high-speed next-gen internet backbone^CGTN^ Huawei has a big problem with the popular Mate 60 5G smartphones: there’s not enough supply to meet growing demand^SCMP^ China avoids grain drain, reporting record yields despite floods, droughts and import doubts^SCMP^ Chinese scientists bring record-breaking Stirling generator to life while Nasa’s patent stays on paper^SCMP^

Coalition emerges to challenge ruling party in Taiwan^RS^

Environmental injustice in India: Jaduguda Uranium Mining Cluster^MR^

Is Indonesia finally set to become an economic superpower?^FT^ Indonesia could join the BRICS economic group, presidential candidate Prabowo Subianto told reporters on Monday during a campaign speech^RT^ Exclusive: US, Indonesia to discuss potential for deal on EV minerals^Bilaterals^

Support rate for Japan's Kishida cabinet drops below 30 percent: media poll^CGTN^ Japan begins third round of Fukushima radioactive wastewater dumping into the Pacific Ocean^GL^ Japan sees nationwide disruption in credit card payments^PD^ Probably Hamas cyberattacks.

Maldives, with its new China-friendly president, expects boost in investment as Beijing looks to ‘seize the opportunity’^SCMP^

Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe’s 2024 budget deepens attack on workers and the poor^WSWS^