MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2025
🇺🇸 U.S. News
House to Vote on Releasing Jeffrey Epstein Files: The House of Representatives is scheduled for a vote today on a bipartisan bill to release files related to the late financier Jeffrey Epstein, following a sudden shift in support from the Trump administration.
1 Immigration Case Headed to Supreme Court: The Supreme Court has agreed to take up a key immigration case, though specific details of the case are not immediately clear in the headlines.
2 New Flu Strain (H3N2 Subclade K) Concerns: Scientists and health officials are expressing concern that a new strain of influenza, H3N2 Subclade K, which has caused illness in other countries, could lead to a severe flu season in the U.S.
3 Electric Vehicle Charger Standard Set: A report highlights that despite bureaucratic slowdowns and a previous attempt by the Trump administration to kill the program, the Biden administration's Department of Transportation successfully settled on a single standard for electric vehicle chargers, largely adopting Tesla's standard.
Ohio Specialized Dockets Conference Highlights Reentry: The Supreme Court of Ohio's annual Specialized Dockets Conference is underway, with a focus on reentry simulations to highlight the challenges individuals face when released from prison.
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🏛️ Politics
UN Security Council Approves Gaza Peace Plan: The U.N. Security Council has approved a U.S.-drafted resolution endorsing President Donald Trump's 20-point peace plan for Gaza, which calls for an International Stabilization Force (ISF) to oversee demilitarization and a "Board of Peace" headed by Trump.
5 Hamas has rejected the resolution.6 Saudi Crown Prince Meeting at White House: Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House today.
7 Ahead of the visit, Trump announced the U.S. will sell F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.8 Potential Talks with Venezuela: President Trump has floated the possibility of diplomatic talks with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, while simultaneously leaving the option of military action on the table.
9 Debate Over Higher Education at Buckley Conference: Conservative speakers at the 15th annual Buckley Institute conference at Yale voiced support for the Trump administration's efforts to influence elite universities, criticizing perceived liberal bias.
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🌍 World Affairs
UN Resolution for Gaza Peace Plan Approved: The U.N. Security Council passed the resolution endorsing the U.S.-drafted Gaza peace plan (mentioned above).
11 It passed 13-0 with Russia and China abstaining.12 The plan calls for an international force and a new administrative structure for the territory.13 Coalition Urges Return of Ukrainian Children: The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children released a joint statement ahead of World Children’s Day (Nov.
14 20), emphasizing the inalienable right of children to safety and family, and condemning the forcible transfer and deportation of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation.IMF Concluding Statement on Slovenia: An International Monetary Fund (IMF) team concluded its 2025 Article IV consultation with Slovenia, noting that growth slowed in 2025 but is projected to rise in 2026-27. The IMF statement recommends fiscal consolidation in the medium term.
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🎓 Education
Penn GSE Expands AI Education Program with Google Funding:
16 The University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE) is expanding its Pioneering AI in School Systems (PASS) program, thanks to a $1 million grant from Google.org.17 The program focuses on providing professional development for district leaders, school leaders, and educators on the ethical and effective use of AI in public schools.18 WSU Team Wins Microsoft Support for Rural AI Roadmap: A team from Washington State University (WSU) won Microsoft support to develop an AI roadmap specifically tailored for rural schools, addressing the unique challenges they face in adopting new technology.
UNC Charlotte International Programs Rebrands: UNC Charlotte’s Office of International Programs has rebranded as "Charlotte Global" to mark its 50th anniversary, reflecting an expanded commitment to global engagement and preparing students for an interconnected world.
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📈 Economy
Global Stock Sell-Off Due to AI Valuation Concerns: Global equities experienced a stumble today as concerns about inflated valuations in the Artificial Intelligence (AI) sector persisted, preceding Nvidia's earnings release this week.
20 Medicare Part B Cost Increase Projected: The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced that Medicare Part B premiums will rise by approximately 10% in 2026.
21 Social Security Full Retirement Age Increasing to 67: The Social Security full retirement age is set to make its final scheduled increase to 67 for everyone born in 1960 or later, a change enacted in 1983 to shore up the program's finances.
22 Amer Sports Reports Strong Q3 Financial Results: Amer Sports, Inc.
23 (brands include Arc'teryx, Salomon, Wilson) reported strong financial results for the third quarter of 2025, raising its full-year revenue, margin, and EPS guidance.24
💻 Technology
AI Valuation Concerns Drive Global Stock Market Decline: (As noted in Economy) Fears of an AI-fueled bubble are affecting global equity markets, with the technology index in Europe dropping 1.4%.
25 AI Education Expansion: (As noted in Education) Penn GSE is expanding its AI education program for school systems, and WSU is developing an AI roadmap for rural schools, highlighting the focus on integrating AI into education infrastructure.
26 Medical Technology/AI Advances Award Nominees: The Galien Foundation announced the 2025 Prix Galien Bridges Awards nominees, with a specific category recognizing "Best Medical Technology (Diagnostic & Digital)/AI Advances in Human Health," showcasing a focus on AI in healthcare innovation.
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⚕️ Health
Concerns Over New H3N2 Flu Strain: (As noted in U.S. News) There is mounting concern that the new H3N2 Subclade K strain of influenza could cause a severe flu season in the U.S., following waves of illness in other countries.
28 Medicare Part B Premium Increase: (As noted in Economy) The 9.7% rise in Medicare Part B premiums for 2026 is a significant financial development for seniors.
29 Prix Galien Bridges Awards Nominees for Biomedical Innovation: The Galien Foundation announced nominees for its 2025 awards, which include categories for "Best Biomedical Product" and "Best Product for Rare/Orphan Diseases," underscoring new developments in medical science and pharmaceuticals.
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🏟️ Sports
Amer Sports Reports Strong Financial Results: (As noted in Economy) Amer Sports, a global group of iconic sports and outdoor brands, reported strong Q3 2025 results, driven in part by exceptional growth in Salomon footwear.
31 Wisconsin Governor Wants Tribal Control of Online Sports Betting: Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers stated that tribal control of online sports betting is the "ultimate goal," closing the door on any plan that doesn't centralize gambling with the state's tribes, a move that is meeting disagreement from companies like DraftKings.
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