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A sweeping federal push to expand offshore drilling has sparked coastal resistance just as global climate talks hit a stalemate over fossil-fuel phase-outs. Commodity markets are also shifting, with gold sliding after strong U.S. jobs data tempered expectations for interest-rate cuts. Today’s edition breaks down the policy battles reshaping energy, the diplomatic tensions slowing climate negotiations, and the market forces driving investor sentiment into year-end.

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The Trump administration has proposed opening new offshore lease sales, including 21 in Alaska, six off the Pacific Coast and seven in the Gulf of Mexico, targeting areas long restricted from oil and gas development. The plan marks one of the most sweeping federal attempts in decades to reshape America’s coastal energy map.

Supporters say expanded leasing could boost domestic production and jobs, while critics warn it threatens fragile ecosystems and local tourism economies. The proposal sets up a major regulatory fight as coastal states weigh legal and political strategies to push back.

At COP30 in Belém, Brazil, roughly 30 nations threatened to block the summit’s final agreement unless it included a clear roadmap for phasing out fossil fuels. Draft language stopped short of that goal after resistance from major producers, exposing sharp divides over how quickly the global energy system should shift.

The dispute has placed pressure on negotiators to deliver a compromise that satisfies both vulnerable countries demanding urgent action and states reliant on fossil fuel exports. With time running out, the standoff highlights how far apart key players remain on the world’s top climate challenge.

Gold prices fell more than 1 percent and headed for a weekly loss after stronger-than-expected U.S. jobs data dampened hopes for a near-term Federal Reserve rate cut. The report signaled continued labor-market strength, pushing investors toward higher-yielding assets and away from traditional safe havens.

The move illustrates how closely commodities are tracking monetary-policy expectations as traders reassess the likelihood of easing. If the labor market remains firm, analysts say gold may continue to face downward pressure heading into year-end.

Under stepped-up pressure, Myanmar’s military rulers have moved against major cyberfraud compounds that trafficked and abused workers across Asia, with the crackdown detailing raids, arrests, and plans to repatriate victims. Rights groups warn the networks may shift elsewhere without broader law-enforcement cooperation and stronger victim protections.

Taiwan is distributing new civil-defense handbooks and online guides to prepare residents for potential conflict or blockade scenarios, with a senior official calling China a “troublemaker” and urging people to learn evacuation routes and survival basics. The effort follows increased Chinese military activity and aims to boost societal resilience while strengthening crisis-response structures.

Singapore imposed asset freezes and entry bans on four Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the West Bank, according to a sanctions notice. The move highlights growing global scrutiny of individual settler violence and adds pressure on Israel over obligations in occupied territory.

A federal judge temporarily blocked President Donald Trump from deploying National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., without the mayor’s consent, as outlined in a court-focused report. The case tests limits on domestic military deployment and could shape how presidents use troops in U.S. cities.

Iran denounced a new U.N. atomic-watchdog resolution demanding more access to nuclear sites, calling it “anti-Iranian,” according to coverage of Tehran’s response. The standoff raises risks of nuclear escalation and complicates efforts to rebuild diplomatic guardrails.

The White House said it did not know the U.S. ambassador to Israel met with Jonathan Pollard, a former Navy analyst convicted of spying for Israel, a surprise revealed in a diplomatic brief. The episode raises questions about internal vetting as Washington balances close ties with Israel against sensitivities over past espionage.

President Trump will meet incoming NYC mayor Zohran Mamdani after months of public clashes, with the planned meeting coming amid disputes over ideology and rhetoric. The encounter will shape how the federal government and the nation’s largest city coordinate on housing, policing, and migrant support.

Japan’s 21.3 trillion-yen stimulus package has weakened the yen and lifted bond yields as traders reassess fiscal risks, according to coverage of the plan. Investors are watching how the Bank of Japan responds and whether the shifts spill into global debt markets.

Global fund managers have poured record sums into Uganda’s local-currency bonds, with the inflows pushing offshore holdings above $2 billion. Analysts warn election-year politics and global risk sentiment could reverse gains quickly.

UBS completed its 2025 $3 billion share buyback, according to a buyback update. The move shows profitable banks continuing shareholder payouts even as regulators weigh tougher capital rules.

Taiwan’s Foxconn says its $1.4 billion Nvidia-powered AI supercomputing center will launch in 2026, as detailed in a technology update. The company is also expanding capacity to make 1,000 AI racks weekly as it pivots toward cloud and AI infrastructure.

Researchers found that blocking the protein FSP1 forces lung cancer cells into ferroptosis, shrinking tumors in mice, according to a protein-blocking study. Earlier preclinical work suggests this could become a new drug class pending human trials.

A three-drug strategy that induces inflammatory cell death sharply boosted immune responses against leukemia in lab models, according to triple-therapy research. If successful in humans, it could help overcome resistance to existing immunotherapies.

Tyrese Maxey scored a career-high 54 points as Philadelphia edged Milwaukee in overtime, according to an NBA recap. The breakout performance reinforces his role as a central offensive force in the Eastern Conference.

Seattle rallied with a three-goal third period to beat Chicago, a comeback highlighted in a league roundup. The win keeps the Kraken competitive in a tight Western Conference race.

Texas Tech edged Wake Forest 84–83 in a neutral-site holiday matchup, with a college basketball brief noting strong interior play and late-game execution. The result shapes early seeding outlooks and showcases Tech’s composure under pressure.

Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico was crowned Miss Universe 2025 after confronting a host who mocked her clothing and accent, as detailed in the pageant finale. The moment sparked renewed debate about bullying, representation, and accountability in global pageants.

Lainey Wilson hosted the CMA Awards and won entertainer of the year, album of the year, and female vocalist, according to an awards recap. Her sweep strengthens her status as one of Nashville’s defining artists and signals momentum for women in country music.

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art has opened “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared,” its largest-ever Korean art exhibition featuring over 200 works, many national treasures, alongside a nod to the global “K-culture” phenomenon.

Diplomats are signalling a new phase in efforts to end the war in Ukraine: active pressure by the United States to bring Kyiv and Moscow toward a deal, and equally active resistance from some European governments wary of the terms. Recent reporting on European concerns describes a U.S.-floated framework that would freeze front lines broadly where they stand, lift some sanctions over time, and bring security guarantees and reconstruction money in exchange for Ukraine accepting the loss of certain territories.

From Washington’s perspective, the strategy reflects fatigue with an open-ended conflict that has strained budgets, unsettled energy markets, and diverted diplomatic bandwidth. It also mirrors a broader push to cool geopolitical flashpoints, with officials highlighting how a settlement could ease pressure on global supply chains and help lower commodity prices—one reason oil benchmarks have reacted to hints of progress. Supporters argue that locking in a cease-fire and security architecture now could save lives and give Ukraine space to rebuild, even if the outcome falls short of full territorial restoration.

Critics, especially in parts of Europe closest to Russia, worry that any deal perceived as forcing territorial concessions would reward aggression and set a precedent for revising borders by force. They fear a “frozen conflict” that leaves Russian troops entrenched, keeps Ukraine in legal limbo, and invites future flare-ups once attention shifts elsewhere. There is also concern that pushing Kyiv too hard could fracture Western unity, embolden far-right or populist parties skeptical of NATO, and weaken deterrence in places like the Baltic states.

What to watch next: whether Ukraine is offered stronger, NATO-like security guarantees in exchange for a settlement; how Russia responds to ideas about phased sanctions relief linked to compliance; and whether public opinion in the U.S. and Europe continues to support major financial and military aid. As diplomats shuttle between capitals, the central question remains unresolved: can a negotiated compromise provide durable security for Ukraine without undermining the broader international norm against changing borders by force?

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—The Five Minute Daily Team