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The Breakfast Table

Wednesday 11 November 2026 · No. 25

Top Story Ukraine

Ukraine’s Families Wait as Talks to End the War Begin in Abu Dhabi

Leaders called the first day useful, but both sides still disagree about land.

📍 Abu Dhabi · United Arab Emirates, Ukraine, Russia, United States

For Ukrainian families, the war Russia began in February 2022 is part of every day. Russian attacks damage the systems that bring power and heat into homes, raising the risk of a hard winter. On Tuesday, teams from Russia, Ukraine and the United States met in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, for two days of talks.

What would make families feel safe after a war? A US official said the talks would focus on security guarantees: promises from other countries to help if Russia attacked again. Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, said: “Our people are waiting to end this war.”

Land is the hardest part. Russia holds about 20 percent of Ukraine, and each side wants a different border. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called the first day “constructive and quite substantive.”

For grown-ups: sources

World Energy

Oil Prices Drop Below $90 After Trump Says the Iran War Is “Effectively Over”

Iran says no talks are planned, and diesel supplies are still tight.

THE PRICE OF OIL Brent crude, US dollars a barrel

The late-October peak was above $117; Brent fell to $89.70 in early trading on 10 November.

Oil prices reach every kitchen table, through the fuel in cars and buses and the cost of moving goods. On Tuesday, Brent crude, the world’s main oil price, fell to $89.70 a barrel. It was the first time it had been below $90 since August. In late October it was above $117.

The fall came after President Donald Trump said on Monday that Iran, “militarily, is effectively over.” He spoke after meeting the prime minister of Qatar, a key go-between in efforts to end the war. Trump said new strikes were “quite unlikely,” but that US forces were ready if needed.

Iran sees it differently. Its foreign minister, Abbas Araghchi, denied that any meeting was planned. One expert said oil is flowing almost as it did before the war, but diesel supplies are still limited, keeping its price high.

🗺️ Where in the world?

📍 Strait of Hormuz · Iran, United States, Qatar
For grown-ups: sources

United States Congress

Republicans Pick Jim Jordan to Lead Them After Losing the House

He won a secret vote against Steve Scalise, 106 to 73.

In the US House of Representatives, each party chooses a leader. A week after Republicans lost their majority in the midterm elections, they met on Tuesday and chose Jim Jordan of Ohio in a secret vote. He beat Steve Scalise of Louisiana, 106 to 73.

Jordan, 62, is a close ally of President Donald Trump. He will become the minority leader, the top member of the party with fewer seats. Speaker Mike Johnson said after the election that he would step down from leadership.

Democrats won roughly 260 seats, NBC News reported. Their leader, Hakeem Jeffries, is expected to become Speaker on 3 January.

🗺️ Where in the world?

📍 Washington, D.C. · United States
For grown-ups: sources

Talk About It

TALK ABOUT IT

What kind of promise would help a family feel safe after a war ends?

When fuel prices go up or down, who in our family notices first?

Why might a country set a big goal even if it is hard to reach?

India Trade

India Aims to Sell $1 Trillion of Goods and Services Abroad This Year

Halfway through, exports have reached about $480 billion, says Piyush Goyal.

Exports are the goods and services a country sells to other countries. On Tuesday, India’s Commerce Minister, Piyush Goyal, said India is on track to export $1 trillion of goods and services this financial year. He called the goal “sacrosanct,” meaning it must not be broken.

Halfway through the year, exports have reached about $480 billion, he said. Government figures for April to September show $476.20 billion, up 13.84% from the same months last year. Goyal said the second half of the year normally brings more than the first. Numbers for October come out on 15 November.

Trade deals help. Goyal said India’s goods could enter the 27-nation European Union without import taxes by March or April. India is also in talks with seven or eight more countries. He said European carmakers see India as a place to build cars for India and the world. He spoke at an event for the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2027, which expects about one million visitors.

🗺️ Where in the world?

📍 New Delhi · India
For grown-ups: sources

Sport

CHESS: INDIA’S 100TH GRANDMASTER

Anuj Shrivatri, 22, became India’s 100th Grandmaster, chess’s highest title, by winning a tournament in Ozamiz City, Philippines. He lost his first game but scored seven points from nine rounds. He is the first Grandmaster from Madhya Pradesh.

In brief

More news

  • Climate: at the COP31 meeting in Turkey, Brazil presented a plan for moving away from coal, oil and gas, and India and Nigeria welcomed it.
  • Science: US researchers found a blood signal for a very early stage of ovarian cancer, but the test is not ready for doctors yet.

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