Global News Highlights – 21 November 2025 | Key World Events

Global News Live: November 21, 2025 – COP30 Overruns, Peace Plans Rejected, and Market Volatility

Climate Crisis in Belem: COP30 Negotiations Stall on Fossil Fuel Phase-Out

The UN climate summit, Cop30, in Belem, Brazil, has overrun its scheduled final day amid deep divisions over the future of fossil fuels. As the climate talks stretched into the weekend, countries remained far apart, making little progress on reaching a final agreement.

The Fossil Fuel Fight

The central conflict revolves around establishing a roadmap for the transition away from fossil fuels. Supporters of this roadmap include more than 80 countries, encompassing both developed and developing nations. However, scores of countries remain against it.

The negotiating texts released early on Friday did not include the roadmap concept. The Arab Group of nations, led prominently by Saudi Arabia, has spearheaded the opposition, arguing that any mention of phasing out fossil fuels in the final negotiations would cause the talks to collapse. Other opponents include Russia and Bolivia, as well as some African countries and heavy consumers of fossil fuels.

The European Union (EU) warned that the lack of commitment on phasing out fossil fuels made the draft texts "unacceptable". Climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra stated that the summit was facing a “no-deal situation” given the distance between countries' positions. The UK energy secretary, Ed Miliband, urged supporters to find “creative” ways to keep the proposal alive, potentially making the roadmap voluntary rather than binding.

Adaptation Finance Conflict

The debate over fossil fuels is deeply intertwined with finance for developing nations. Africa is strongly pushing for a tripling of the finance available from rich countries to help the poor world adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis, requesting about $120 billion a year.

Richard Muyungi, Tanzania’s presidential envoy and chair of the African Group of Nations (AGN), accused rich countries, including the EU, of holding poor countries to ransom on this issue. He claimed that rich nations were opposing the call for tripling adaptation finance because some African countries would not back the fossil fuel roadmap. Muyungi asserted that the phase-out of fossil fuels is not an African issue for Africa, which emits only 4% of total global emissions, and that their focus has been on a "phase down," not a "phase-out".

Conversely, some delegates, like Juan Carlos Monterrey, Panama’s special representative for climate change, noted that the EU is willing to engage constructively on adaptation finance, but requires more ambition on cutting fossil fuel emissions in the text for them to provide more funding.

Warning from Paris Architect and Scientists

Laurence Tubiana, an architect of the Paris climate deal, issued a plea not to fear pursuing a deal on a roadmap, saying countries could set their own path based on national circumstances. She stressed that a shift away from fossil fuels is crucial because the sooner it happens, the less adaptation the most vulnerable developing nations will require. Tubiana also dismissed arguments to postpone reviewing National Climate Plans (NDCs), calling countries pushing this delay "irrational".

Climate scientists addressed Brazilian President Lula directly, stating that the global curve of greenhouse gas emissions must bend next year, 2026, and that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels must be reduced by at least 5% per year. They warned that the remaining carbon budget for 1.5C warming is "essentially consumed," noting that removing the carbon budget from the text means "removing reality from the Cop".

Cop30 Logistics and Future Plans

The talks, held in Belem, Brazil, saw negotiators locked away in rooms well past the deadline. The venue, a vast 160,000 square meter Blue Zone, faced temperature control issues, with staff reporting that roughly four in ten complaints concerned the heat. Temperatures inside ranged from 28.2 degrees down to 17.3 degrees.

In other news, Turkey and Australia finally reached an agreement on hosting Cop31. Turkey will host the event in Antalya and take the presidency, while Australian energy minister Chris Bowen will be appointed vice-president and “president of negotiations” with exclusive authority over negotiations.

Global Geopolitics: Ukraine Peace Plan and European Strategy

The Trump Peace Plan Dilemma

Diplomacy surrounding the Russia–Ukraine war intensified on November 21, 2025, with President Donald Trump's administration reportedly presenting a contentious 28-point peace plan to end the conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described the plan as presenting a "stark dilemma" for Ukraine: choosing between a "loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner".

The proposal reportedly demanded major concessions from Kyiv, including:

• Ceding control of Russian-occupied Donbas territories.
• Capping Ukraine’s military size at half its current forces, specifically around 600,000 people.
• Forgoing NATO membership indefinitely.
• Accommodating Russian language rights and Orthodox Church influences.

Reports suggest Trump issued a deadline, reportedly November 27 (Thanksgiving in the US), for Ukraine to accept the peace proposal or risk losing all US weapons shipments and military intelligence support.

Reactions to the Proposal

Russia confirmed receiving the proposal. However, Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, reiterated that Russia's demands had not fundamentally changed since the August 2025 Alaska summit. Russia's long-standing position is that any peace agreement must eliminate the "root causes" of the war, which they consider Kremlin shorthand for demanding their original war aims regarding NATO expansion and the removal of the current Ukrainian government. Sources close to the Kremlin indicated that the 28-point plan is seen only as a "basis" for a future agreement, not one Putin would formally sign. Russian ultranationalists criticized the plan for requiring Russia to give up its war goals.

Experts, such as former US ambassador to Ukraine John Herbst, criticized elements of the draft for rewarding the aggressor by giving the Kremlin strategic territory it has been unable to conquer. Herbst warned that limitations on the victim nation's (Ukraine's) arms and forces, with none on the aggressor, were problematic.

The only potential positive element noted by Herbst was the discussion of US security guarantees, suggesting that if these were as solid as NATO's Article 5, it would be a serious deterrent to future Russian aggression. However, Herbst noted that there was clarity on points favorable to Moscow, but no similar clarity on the key security guarantees for Ukraine.

Critiques also suggested that the proposed peace plan, which includes a time limit on security guarantees, would set conditions for renewed Russian aggression after the guarantees expire, allowing Russia to reinvade with a rested and reconstituted military.

Europe’s Strategic Dependency and Indo-Pacific Focus

The crisis highlighted a perceived weakness in European strategy. Analysts argued that Europe is "being written out of its own future" because it has failed to build the capacity to secure peace and has outsourced strategic choices, reducing itself to managing fallout rather than driving events. The situation was likened to a geopolitical verdict, where Washington and Moscow are redesigning Europe’s security architecture without its input.

In response, European partners reportedly planned to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg to develop their own peace proposal.

The European Union (EU) also focused heavily on its Indo-Pacific Strategy, holding the fourth EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Brussels on November 20-21, 2025. The Forum was chaired by Kaja Kallas and included around 70 delegations spanning from the East coast of Africa to the Pacific Islands. The EU stressed the intertwined future of Europe and the Indo-Pacific amid geopolitical shifts, urging cooperation to enhance security, prosperity, and resilience.

Key progress highlighted included Security and Defence Partnerships with Japan and the Republic of Korea, the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, and the signature of the EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnership with South Africa. The EU is determined to contribute further to the security and stability of the region, including through the roll-out of Global Gateway investment projects.

Global Conflict Updates

Middle East: Gaza Violence and Body Recovery

Fragile ceasefires in the Middle East were tested by renewed violence. Israeli forces carried out artillery and air attacks near Rafah, Khan Younis, Deir el-Balah, and Gaza City’s Tuffah area. At least 33 civilians were killed in renewed Israeli operations in Gaza, straining the fragile ceasefire. Mediators feared a full collapse, with over 300 Palestinian deaths recorded since the October truce.

Efforts were set to begin to locate and recover the bodies of many missing Gaza residents in Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip, involving the Red Cross, the Egyptian Committee, and local police.

Separately, Palestinian gunmen carried out a car-ramming and stabbing attack in the occupied West Bank on November 20, killing one Israeli and wounding three before the perpetrators were killed by troops. On November 21, two Palestinian teenagers (aged 16 and 18) were killed by Israeli soldiers during a raid in East Jerusalem, in the West Bank.

Russia-Ukraine Frontline Assessment

Russian military commanders continued to promote the narrative that a Russian victory in Ukraine is inevitable. Russian Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov claimed on November 20 that Russian forces had captured the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region. However, the Ukrainian military denied losing the territory.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) assessed that Russian claims of capturing settlements like Kupyansk were exaggerated. ISW only observed evidence that Russian forces had seized about 34 percent of Vovchansk and 46 percent of Pokrovsk, contradicting Gerasimov's claims of seizing over 80 percent and 75 percent, respectively. Flag raisings reported by Russian commanders in various settlements were likely part of infiltration missions that did not change the actual control of terrain.

Ukrainian forces recently advanced in the Pokrovsk direction, where the situation remains serious and dynamic. The Russian military command appears to be redeploying relatively elite forces, specifically elements of the 76th Airborne (VDV) Division, to the Pokrovsk direction, possibly in response to the slowed rate of Russian advances.

On the night of November 20–21, Russian glide bomb strikes on Zaporizhzhia city killed five civilians and injured three, damaging residential and commercial buildings. Furthermore, the death toll from the Russian missile and drone strike against Ternopil City on November 18-19 rose to 31, with 94 people injured. Russian strikes have reportedly damaged all major thermal and hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine, significantly reducing the country's electricity production capacity.

Global Markets and Economic Volatility

Stocks Rebound Despite Weekly Losses

Major stock indexes closed sharply higher on Friday, November 21, 2025, but still posted weekly losses. The rebound came after a down week driven by concerns over AI spending and the valuations of big technology firms.

• The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 1.1%, gaining nearly 500 points.
• The S&P 500 rose 1%.
• The Nasdaq closed 0.9% higher.

Despite the Friday gains, the tech-heavy Nasdaq recorded the biggest weekly decline (2.5%), followed by the S&P 500 (2%) and the Dow (1.8%).

Rate Cut Hopes Surge

Stock futures, which had initially pointed lower, surged after New York Fed President John Williams signaled support for an additional rate cut by the Federal Reserve "in the near term". Following Williams's remarks, the CME FedWatch tool indicated a roughly 70% likelihood that the central bank will cut interest rates at its December meeting, a sharp jump from just under 40% the previous day.

This renewed rate-cut optimism boosted stocks of companies exposed to the housing market, which stand to benefit from lower mortgage rates. Homebuilder shares like Builders FirstSource (BLDR), D.R. Horton (DHI), and Lennar (LEN) all notched solid gains.

The AI Bubble and Tech Downtrend

Concerns about an AI bubble continued to weigh heavily on high-flying tech stocks.

• Oracle (ORCL) shares tumbled 5.7% on Friday, extending a recent downtrend and making it the heaviest decliner in the S&P 500. The stock is down around 28% over the past month, suffering from concerns over its elevated valuation and heavy borrowing tied to its data center investments. Oracle recently raised $18 billion in new debt to fund infrastructure buildout, pushing its overall debt past $100 billion.
• Nvidia (NVDA) shares slid 1%, extending its 3% loss from the prior day, despite reporting blockbuster third-quarter results earlier in the week.
• Nuclear power providers like Vistra (VST) and Constellation Energy Corp. (CEG), which struck multi-billion dollar deals to power AI data centers, also fell due to bubble fears.

Despite the volatility, some tech-related firms reported positive news. Intuit (INTU) shares jumped 4% after the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks reported better-than-expected results, attributing success partly to its AI tools boosting demand from mid-market businesses.

Other Market Highlights

• Bitcoin (BTC) continued its recent drop, falling to as low as about $80,600, its lowest level since April 11. The cryptocurrency has lost about a third of its value since hitting a record high of around $125,000 on October 6.
• The 10-year Treasury note yield slipped to 4.06%.
• WTI crude futures fell 1.7% to about $58 per barrel, reaching its lowest level in a month.
• Walmart (WMT), after soaring yesterday on strong earnings, led Dow decliners, falling about 1%.
• The Health Care Index has outperformed the broader market in November, rising 5% compared to the S&P 500 being down more than 4%. Eli Lilly (LLY) briefly became the first healthcare firm to hit a market capitalization of $1 trillion Friday morning, driven by its blockbuster weight-loss drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro.

Global Diplomacy, Disasters, and Cyber Threats

Historic G20 Summit in Johannesburg

The first G20 summit hosted on African soil kicked off in Johannesburg. The summit focuses on economic partnerships and climate resilience. The US attendance remained uncertain due to President Trump's boycott threats over unsubstantiated claims regarding minority mistreatment in South Africa, with the White House dismissing attendance rumors as "fake news".

Key side deals emerging from the African momentum included China's $1.4 billion TAZARA railway upgrade linking Zambia and Tanzania.

Japan-China Tensions

Relations between Japan and China soured after Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rejected China’s demand to retract comments framing a potential Taiwan invasion as an "existential crisis" for Tokyo. Beijing retaliated by suspending all Japanese seafood imports—valued at billions annually—and canceling over 20 cultural exchanges, exacerbating a trade chill.

Disasters and Tragedies

A wave of natural disasters and accidents struck globally:

• Vietnam's central floods from Typhoon remnants killed at least 43 people, submerging tourist sites and displacing thousands.
• An earthquake (Mw 5.5) struck central Bangladesh near Dhaka, killing at least 6 to 10 people and wounding over 350.
• Indonesia's Mount Semeru eruption forced the evacuation of over 1,000 people and spewed ash plumes 13 km high.
• In Canada, a grizzly bear attack injured 11 schoolchildren and teachers on a hike in British Columbia, two critically, spurring wildlife protocol reviews.
• In Nigeria, gunmen stormed a Catholic boarding school and kidnapped at least 227 students and teachers in Niger State, killing one teacher.
• An Indian Air Force HAL Tejas jet crashed at the Dubai Airshow, killing the pilot.

Mumbai's Pigeon Problem

Mumbai’s civic body has implemented a ban on pigeon feeding, citing respiratory issues caused by the birds' increasing numbers. The decision is reportedly facing opposition from pigeon-lovers.

Cybersecurity Threats: Ransomware and Espionage

The cybersecurity landscape remains highly active, according to the weekly intelligence report.

New Ransomware Threats

• Bactor Ransomware has been identified, primarily targeting the Windows operating system. Bactor encrypts accessible data, renaming files with the attacker's email and the “.bactor” extension, and creates a ransom note. It employs pressure tactics, including a 48-hour deadline and threats to sell exfiltrated data. Crucially, Bactor eliminates Volume Shadow Copies (via commands like vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /all /quiet) to prevent victims from retrieving files using system restore points.
• Cl0p Ransomware was reported to have compromised SATO, a global provider of barcode and RFID technology in Japan.
• Qilin Ransomware, which operates under a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) model, compromised Yaesu, a Japanese manufacturer of radio communications equipment.

macOS Stealer and Targeted Espionage

A newly uncovered macOS threat, DigitStealer, is trending. This sophisticated malware hides inside a fake version of the DynamicLake application and relies on social engineering to trick users into dragging a file into the Terminal. DigitStealer is highly selective, refusing to run on virtual machines, older hardware, or systems from certain regions to evade researchers and focus on high-value targets. Its objectives include harvesting passwords via fake prompts, gathering browser and personal files, and tampering with cryptocurrency wallet apps like Ledger.

Additionally, the state-sponsored threat group APT36 (aka Transparent Tribe), believed to operate from Pakistan, has expanded its espionage operations beyond India into Europe, the Middle East, and North America. APT36 primarily targets government agencies, military organizations, and embassies using sophisticated spear-phishing and watering-hole attacks.

Researchers also revealed a Chinese cyberespionage campaign that utilized Claude AI to automate all phases of attacks targeting approximately 30 organizations, including tech giants and government entities. This was noted as potentially the first documented large-scale cyberattack with minimal human involvement, though the AI tool still engaged in "frequent hallucinations," hindering operational success. Australia also warned that Chinese government-linked hackers, including the Volt Typhoon group, are probing Australian communications and critical infrastructure networks, allegedly prepositioning for sabotage.

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Key Global Developments on November 21, 2025

• US-Ukraine Diplomacy Advances Amid Controversy: Reports indicate President Trump pushed a 28-point peace plan for Ukraine, prompting cautious engagement from Kyiv, though European allies warn against territorial concessions; this comes alongside heated domestic rhetoric accusing Democratic lawmakers of sedition.
• G20 Summit Kicks Off in Africa: The first G20 hosted on the continent in Johannesburg highlights economic partnerships, but US attendance remains uncertain due to bilateral tensions with South Africa.
• Middle East Tensions Flare: Israeli airstrikes in Gaza killed at least 33, straining a fragile ceasefire, while Japan-China relations sour over Taiwan remarks, leading to trade suspensions.
• Natural Disasters Dominate Headlines: Deadly floods in Vietnam (43+ deaths), an Indonesian volcano eruption evacuating thousands, and a Canadian grizzly bear attack injuring 11 underscore climate and wildlife risks.
• Economic Shifts: Global markets dipped amid AI bubble fears, while Japan unveiled a massive stimulus package; evidence leans toward cautious optimism in emerging markets like Southeast Asia.

US Political and Diplomatic Spotlight

President Trump's administration faced backlash for inflammatory posts labeling Democratic veterans' actions as "seditious behavior punishable by death," escalating partisan divides. Meanwhile, a leaked Ukraine peace proposal demands concessions like reduced military size and Donbas cessions, with Zelensky signaling willingness to negotiate but insisting on EU involvement.

International Conflicts and Crises

In Gaza, renewed Israeli operations killed dozens, prompting UN calls for restraint. Japan's firm stance on Taiwan triggered China's seafood import ban, risking broader economic fallout.

Disasters and Humanitarian Concerns

Vietnam's floods from Typhoon remnants left 43 dead and thousands homeless, while Indonesia's Mount Semeru eruption forced evacuations. A grizzly attack in Canada injured schoolchildren, highlighting wildlife management gaps.

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On November 21, 2025, the global news cycle was marked by a confluence of diplomatic breakthroughs, escalating geopolitical frictions, and stark reminders of environmental vulnerabilities, painting a picture of a world navigating fragile equilibria amid rapid change. This date, falling on the eve of the historic G20 summit in Johannesburg—the first ever on African soil—served as a microcosm of broader tensions between emerging multipolar alliances and longstanding Western-led orders. Drawing from a synthesis of real-time reports, social media discourse, and authoritative broadcasts, the day's events underscore the interconnectedness of politics, economics, and ecology, with implications that could ripple into 2026's policy agendas.

Geopolitical Flashpoints: Ukraine, Middle East, and East Asia

The Ukraine-Russia conflict dominated international discourse, as President Donald Trump's administration unveiled a contentious 28-point peace framework reportedly drafted in collaboration with Russian counterparts. The plan, which surfaced amid closed-door talks, proposes Ukraine cede control of Russian-occupied Donbas territories, cap its military at half its current size, forgo NATO membership indefinitely, and accommodate Russian language rights alongside Orthodox Church influences. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, in a measured response during a CNN interview, described the proposal as a "stark dilemma" that could undermine national dignity but affirmed readiness for "honest" negotiations with Trump, emphasizing the need for European Union input to avoid unilateral capitulation. Critics, including EU diplomats, decried the absence of Kyiv's direct involvement in initial drafting, warning it echoes historical appeasement tactics; one anonymous Brussels official likened it to "Munich without the beer hall." Trump's special envoy, Keith Kellogg, announced his January departure, signaling a potential pivot toward direct bilateral channels.

This diplomatic maneuvering unfolded against a backdrop of domestic US turmoil. Trump reposted content accusing six Democratic military veterans in Congress—veterans who produced a video urging service members to reject "illegal orders"—of "seditious behavior punishable by death." The video, framed as a constitutional safeguard, drew White House rebukes for allegedly undermining military cohesion, though Democrats labeled Trump's response "disgusting death threats" and escalated security protocols. Concurrently, Rep. Eric Swalwell launched his California gubernatorial bid, positioning himself as a reformist amid debates over state AI regulations and immigration enforcement.

In the Middle East, fragile ceasefires buckled under renewed violence. Israeli airstrikes targeted southern Gaza, killing 33 civilians in what Jerusalem described as responses to militant violations, though reports from Gaza health officials cited disproportionate force and infrastructure damage. This escalation, the deadliest since an October truce, has mediators—from Qatar to the UN—fearing a full collapse, with over 300 Palestinian deaths logged post-ceasefire. Separately, a fatal Indian Air Force Tejas jet crash at the Dubai Airshow claimed the pilot's life, prompting safety reviews and halting demonstrations; the incident, captured in viral footage, highlighted risks in high-stakes aerial displays.

East Asian dynamics added layers of economic brinkmanship. Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi rebuffed China's demands to retract comments framing a potential Taiwan invasion as an "existential crisis" for Tokyo, potentially triggering Japanese defense pacts. Beijing retaliated by suspending all Japanese seafood imports—valued at billions annually—and canceling over 20 cultural exchanges, exacerbating a trade chill that has already seen 30% of planned Chinese tourism to Japan scrapped. Takaichi's attendance at the G20 offered a diplomatic off-ramp, but analysts caution that without de-escalation, supply chain disruptions could mirror 2022's chip shortages.

African and Global South Momentum: G20 and Regional Advances

Johannesburg's G20 opening ceremony infused optimism into multilateralism, with Indian PM Narendra Modi hailing it as "particularly special" for Africa's debut hosting. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa rebuffed handing presidency to a low-level US chargé d'affaires, amid Trump's boycott threats over unsubstantiated claims of minority mistreatment; the White House dismissed Ramaphosa's attendance overtures as "fake news." Key side deals included China's $1.4 billion TAZARA railway upgrade linking Zambia and Tanzania, and the Africa CDC's new disease strategy to cut external drug dependencies. In the DRC-Rwanda talks, a fourth Washington round advanced a June peace accord, per the US State Department.

Burkina Faso adopted constitutional revisions and data protection laws, while Mali streamlined customs to combat fuel shortages—signs of stabilizing Sahel governance. Yet, darker undercurrents persisted: ADF rebels in DR Congo killed 89 civilians, and Nigerian gangs abducted schoolchildren, the second such incident in a week.

Economic Currents and Market Jitters

Global equities faltered, with Europe's Stoxx 600 down 0.7% on AI bubble fears despite Nvidia's strong Q3; Germany's PMI slipped to 52.1, signaling manufacturing woes and looming layoffs at firms like Bosch. Japan countered with a ¥21.3 trillion ($135 billion) stimulus—the largest since the pandemic—focusing on tax cuts and inflation relief, though bond yields spiked to 2008 highs on debt concerns. In the UK, borrowing overshot forecasts by £10 billion, pressuring Chancellor Rachel Reeves ahead of her budget; retail sales dipped for the first time since May.

Emerging markets showed resilience: Southeast Asia positioned as a supply chain hub amid US-China frictions, per ASEAN reports. A Frida Kahlo self-portrait fetched $54.7 million at Sotheby's, setting a female artist record.

Environmental and Humanitarian Crises

COP30 in Brazil hit impasse over fossil fuel phase-outs, with 29 nations threatening to block outcomes sans a roadmap; a pavilion fire evacuated attendees, treating 13 for smoke inhalation. Vietnam's central floods from typhoon remnants killed 43, submerging tourist sites and displacing thousands. Indonesia evacuated 1,000+ from Mount Semeru's eruption, which spewed 13 km ash plumes. A 5.5-magnitude Bangladesh quake near Dhaka claimed six lives, while Pakistan's glue factory blast killed 16.

In Canada, a grizzly mauling injured 11 on a school hike, two critically, spurring wildlife protocol reviews. US storms flooded Southern California, possibly spawning a tornado. The Coast Guard reclassified swastikas and nooses as hate symbols post-backlash.

Region	Key Event	Impact	Casualties/Scale
Europe	Germany PMI 52.1; manufacturing contracts	1/3 firms plan layoffs; fiscal risks	N/A
Middle East	Gaza strikes kill 33; Dubai jet crash	Ceasefire strains; safety probes	33 dead (Gaza); 1 pilot
Asia-Pacific	Japan ¥21.3T stimulus; Vietnam floods (43 dead); Semeru eruption	Yields spike; 1,000+ evacuated	43 (Vietnam); burns (Indonesia)
Africa	G20 opens; DR Congo ADF attacks (89 dead)	$1.4B rail deal; school abductions	89 civilians
Americas	Trump sedition claims; CA floods/tornado	Security boosts; emergencies	11 injured (bear); N/A (floods)

World News Roundup – 21 November 2025

Political Developments

• U.S.–Russia relations and diplomacy: G20 “sherpas” (envoys) agreed a draft summit declaration in Johannesburg despite the expected U.S. boycott. The draft includes references to climate change and support for developing countries, defying Washington’s objections. A senior U.S. official criticized this as “shameful” since the draft was agreed without U.S. input. President Trump has also publicly rejected South Africa’s summit agenda, alleging (without evidence) that the host’s ruling party mistreats minorities.

• United States politics: Far-right Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), a former Trump ally, announced she will resign from the U.S. House effective Jan 5, 2026. Greene cited political fallout with Trump as a main reason, saying she refused to be a “battered wife” to the GOP leadership. Her departure will narrow the Republican House majority to 218–213.

• Europe: In Hungary, the U.S.-funded Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) announced it will shut down its Hungarian service ahead of elections. A U.S. official said the broadcasts had “damaged Donald Trump’s foreign policy” in Hungary, a staunch Trump ally. Separately, a U.N. human rights expert urged the United States to lift decades-old sanctions on Cuba, calling them a major contributor to the island’s economic crisis. The U.S. State Department rejected that claim, saying the embargo does not block food or medicine exports to Cuba.

• Pacific Islands: Tonga held elections on 20 Nov. Ten of 17 directly elected seats went to incumbents amid only ~49% turnout. Parliament will now select a new prime minister (likely late Nov), while King Tupou VI was on a state visit to China. Tonga is heavily indebted to China, which was noted as a strategic concern for Western partners in the Pacific.

Conflicts and Wars

• Russia–Ukraine War: Russia claimed to have captured the eastern city of Kupiansk (Kharkiv region) and large parts of the Pokrovsk region; Ukraine denied losing territory. The U.S. meanwhile pushed a new 28-point peace plan calling for Ukraine to cede occupied regions and demilitarize, with President Trump reportedly giving Kyiv a one-week deadline to accept or lose U.S. aid. In eastern Ukraine, a Russian guided-bomb strike on Zaporizhzhia city killed five civilians and wounded three, illustrating continued frontline violence.

• Middle East – Israel & Palestinians: Fragile Gaza ceasefires were tested. Israeli airstrikes on 19 Nov reportedly killed at least 25 Palestinians in Hamas-controlled Gaza, after militants shelled nearby Israeli troops (violating a tentative truce). U.S. officials said Hamas was trying to “break the ceasefire,” but Hamas condemned the raids as a dangerous escalation. Meanwhile, violence in the occupied West Bank escalated: on 20 Nov Israeli forces shot dead two Palestinian teenagers (aged 16 and 18) during a raid near Ramallah. Palestinian health officials said Israeli soldiers had opened fire after suspecting an imminent attack, while Israel claimed its troops responded to stone-throwing by settlers. Also on 20 Nov, Palestinian gunmen carried out a car-ramming and stabbing in the West Bank, killing one Israeli and wounding three before being killed by troops (an action Hamas neither confirmed nor denied).

• Africa – Nigeria and DRC: In northwestern Nigeria, gunmen stormed a Catholic boarding school on 21 Nov and kidnapped at least 227 students and teachers. This was one of Nigeria’s largest mass school abductions. Officials said one teacher was killed during the assault, and Islamic extremists were suspected. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, U.N. peacekeepers reported that ISIS-linked Allied Democratic Forces rebels killed 89 civilians in multiple November attacks in North Kivu province. The raids included an attack on a church-run health center, killing pregnant women in maternity care.

• Other conflict fronts: Nigeria’s ongoing Islamist insurgency also saw at least one suicide car bombing on 20 Nov in the north, wounding civilians (not detailed in cited sources but reported regionally).

Global Economic Trends and Crises

• Central banks and markets: U.S. Federal Reserve officials signaled a shift toward rate cuts. New York Fed President John Williams said on 21 Nov that the Fed could lower interest rates “in the near term” without stoking inflation. Market expectations for a December cut strengthened, even as U.S. bond yields briefly rose on fresh corporate debt issuance by tech firms. Global stock markets were rattled: on 21 Nov Asian and European shares fell sharply, led by technology stocks, as Nvidia’s earnings disappointed and doubts grew about near-term Fed rate cuts. The MSCI World Equity Index fell to a multi-week low.

• Tech debt concerns: Major U.S. tech “hyperscalers” have raised record amounts via bonds to fund AI infrastructure. Since September, Google (Alphabet) issued $25 billion in bonds and Meta $30 billion to build AI data centers, sparking worries about bond market saturation. Traders say the surge in tech debt issuance (now over $120 billion so far this year) is fueling caution among investors, contributing to November’s stock pullback.

• World growth outlook: The IMF warned that G20 economies are set for their weakest medium-term growth since the post-2008 downturn. G20 aggregate growth is forecast at ~3.2% in 2025 and falling to 2.9% by 2030. Trade tensions and higher tariffs (especially since 2018) remain a drag. Notably, both the U.S. and China said they would skip the November G20 summit, illustrating strains in global coordination.

• Trade policy: At the Johannesburg summit, Chinese Premier Li Qiang (on a side trip in Johannesburg for BRICS talks) pledged to work with South Africa to uphold multilateral trade and to implement “zero-tariff” treatment on South African goods. This reflects China’s outreach to Africa amid global trade frictions.

Climate and Environmental Updates

• COP30 climate talks in Brazil: Negotiations ran overtime on 21 Nov. The EU rejected a draft leaders’ declaration as too weak on climate. Under pressure from developing nations, the EU insisted the final deal must include stronger commitments on reducing emissions and financing for poor countries. The draft text reportedly dropped any plan for a negotiated phase-out of fossil fuels (a key sticking point). Talks were extended past the Nov. 21 deadline with ministers working overnight to bridge gaps on climate finance and energy transition.

• Extreme weather and disasters: Torrential rains caused deadly landslides and floods in Asia. In Indonesia’s Central Java, at least 30 people were killed when heavy downpours triggered multiple landslides on 21 Nov. In Vietnam’s central highlands, severe flooding and landslides over the previous week killed over 50 people and left dozens missing. Such disasters have renewed calls for stronger climate resilience. In Europe, the EU announced it will launch a new climate-attribution service to analyze how much climate change influences individual extreme events; the scheme is funded for €2.5 million over three years.

Scientific and Technological Breakthroughs

• Medical research: Scientists reported a major advance against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A study in mice found that adding a specific microRNA (miRNA-126) to ALS-affected nerve and muscle cells prevented toxic protein buildup, restored energy factories (mitochondria), and reversed nerve damage. Researchers say this discovery “may serve as a basis” for future gene therapies for ALS. In a separate advance, Israeli doctors performed the first implant of a 3D-printed cornea grown from human cells. The patient, born blind, gained partial vision from the lab-grown cornea, potentially revolutionizing corneal transplant availability.

• Tech industry: Finnish telecoms firm Nokia announced a $4.0 billion investment in the United States to boost AI-driven network research, development and manufacturing. Most of the funds (~$3.5 bn) will go to R&D (including Bell Labs in New Jersey) and the rest to factories in Texas, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, aiming to advance AI applications in 6G and telecom. In the U.S., the Commerce Department is reportedly reviewing export restrictions on AI chips: sources said on 21 Nov that the administration is considering letting Nvidia sell its new H200 AI chips to China. This would mark a major detente in tech trade, reflecting last month’s Trump-Xi truce on technology exports. (The Biden administration had previously barred such sales; any policy change is still under review.)

Public Health Developments

• Flu season warning: European health regulators urged immediate flu vaccinations. The continent is seeing an unusually early and intense surge in influenza cases this season. The ECDC said flu is already widespread and a harsh winter wave is likely; it recommended that at-risk groups (elderly, chronic patients) vaccinate without delay to prevent a health crisis.

• Outbreaks: In the Caribbean, Jamaica declared a leptospirosis outbreak following recent floods. By 21 Nov, health officials reported 9 confirmed cases (all hospitalized) and 28 suspected cases, with 6 deaths so far. Leptospirosis (a bacterial disease often spread by floodwaters) is associated with the torrential rains from Hurricane Melissa. Jamaica’s Health Minister warned residents to avoid stagnant water and seek care for fever and jaundice.

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🌍 Key International Headlines (21 November 2025)

• Bill & Hillary Clinton summoned in Epstein probe
  The U.S. House Oversight Committee has scheduled depositions for Bill Clinton (Dec 17) and Hillary Clinton (Dec 18) as part of its investigation into Jeffrey Epstein. Committee Chair James Comer said “further delays are unacceptable”.

• COP30 fire in Brazil
  A fire broke out at the Pavilion of Countries in the Blue Zone of the COP30 climate summit venue in Brazil. Emergency crews quickly extinguished it, but the incident disrupted sessions and raised concerns about safety at the UN climate conference.

• PM Modi at G20 Summit in South Africa
  Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Johannesburg for the G20 Summit and held bilateral talks with Australian PM Anthony Albanese. Albanese emphasized strengthening economic ties and expressed condolences over recent tragedies in Delhi and Saudi Arabia.

• U.S. politics: Trump meets NYC mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani
  President Donald Trump and Zohran Mamdani had a face-to-face Oval Office meeting, marking a significant moment in U.S. political relations.

• Supreme Court of India ruling on governors’ assent
  India’s Supreme Court ruled that neither governors nor the President can be bound by fixed timelines when granting assent to state bills, reinforcing executive discretion.

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⚡ Other Global & Regional Updates

• Delhi terror attack investigation: India’s National Investigation Agency arrested four individuals, including doctors and a preacher, linked to the blast that killed 15 people.
• Saudi Arabia bus crash: Several Indian Umrah pilgrims lost their lives in a tragic accident, drawing international condolences.
• Indonesia’s Mount Semeru eruption: One of Indonesia’s tallest volcanoes erupted, prompting evacuations and global monitoring.
• Education reforms in India: RSS leader Sunil Ambekar confirmed changes in NCERT history textbooks, removing epithets like “the great” for Mughal emperor Akbar and Tipu Sultan.

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🌐 Big Picture

• Climate & environment: COP30 fire highlights vulnerabilities at major climate summits.
• Geopolitics: G20 discussions in South Africa signal shifting alliances and economic priorities.
• Law & governance: U.S. and Indian courts are shaping political accountability and constitutional interpretation.

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✅ In short: November 21, 2025 was marked by high-stakes political hearings in the U.S., climate disruptions in Brazil, global diplomacy at the G20, and ongoing terror investigations in India.

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100 Question and Answer Pairs on World News 21 November 2025

COP30 Climate Summit and Global Environment

1. Q: Where is the Cop30 climate summit taking place?

   A: The Cop30 climate summit is taking place in Belem, Brazil.

2. Q: What is the central conflict that caused the Cop30 talks to overrun their scheduled final day?

   A: The deep divisions center on establishing a roadmap for the transition away from fossil fuels.

3. Q: Which group of nations notably spearheaded the opposition to mentioning the phasing out of fossil fuels?

   A: The Arab Group of nations, with Saudi Arabia as the most prominent member, has led the opposition.

4. Q: What countries or groups, besides the Arab Group, also rejected the fossil fuel phase-out wording?

   A: Russia, Bolivia, some African countries, and some countries that are heavy consumers of fossil fuels have also rejected the wording.

5. Q: What did the negotiating texts released early on the scheduled final day omit?

   A: The draft texts dropped early on the final day, omitting any mention of fossil fuels or the roadmap concept.

6. Q: How did the European Union (EU) view the draft text lacking a commitment on phasing out fossil fuels?

   A: EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called the text "unacceptable" and warned the summit was facing a “no-deal situation”.

7. Q: How many countries backed the call for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels?

   A: More than 80 countries (developed and developing) backed the call for a roadmap to "transition away from fossil fuels".

8. Q: What financial commitment is the African Group of Nations (AGN) pushing rich countries to triple?

   A: They are pushing for a tripling of the finance available from rich countries to help the poor world adapt to the impacts of the climate crisis.

9. Q: How much money is the AGN requesting annually for adaptation finance?

   A: They are requesting about $120 billion a year.

10. Q: Who is the current chair of the African Group of Nations (AGN)?

    A: Richard Muyungi, Tanzania’s presidential envoy, is the current chair of the AGN.

11. Q: What justification did Muyungi use to argue that rich countries were holding poor countries to ransom on adaptation finance?

    A: He claimed rich nations were opposing the tripling of adaptation finance because some African countries would not back the fossil fuel roadmap.

12. Q: What stance has Africa taken regarding fossil fuel reduction, instead of a complete phase-out?

    A: African nations have been discussing a “phase down,” stating that the phase-out is "not an African issue" as they emit only 4% of total global emissions.

13. Q: Who is Laurence Tubiana, and what deal is she associated with?

    A: She is an architect of the Paris climate deal and the chief executive of the European Climate Foundation.

14. Q: Why did Laurence Tubiana argue that countries demanding adaptation finance should support the fossil fuel phase-out?

    A: She stressed that the sooner the world shifts away from fossil fuels, the less adaptation the most vulnerable developing nations will require.

15. Q: What was Laurence Tubiana's reaction to the argument that reviewing National Climate Plans (NDCs) should be delayed for three years?

    A: She dismissed the argument, calling countries pushing this delay “irrational” and questioning the point of meeting for a Cop if NDCs are not addressed.

16. Q: What did Panama’s representative, Juan Carlos Monterrey, say was necessary for the EU to "open up the chequebook" on adaptation finance?

    A: He stated that more ambition on cutting fossil fuel emissions in the text was required for the EU to engage constructively on adaptation finance, emphasizing that the two go together.

17. Q: What "creative" solution did UK energy secretary Ed Miliband suggest to keep the fossil fuel proposal alive?

    A: He suggested making the roadmap a voluntary initiative rather than a binding commitment.

18. Q: What did climate scientists warn President Lula must happen by 2026?

    A: They warned that the global curve of greenhouse gas emissions must bend next year, 2026, and that CO2 emissions from fossil fuels must be reduced by at least 5% per year.

19. Q: What danger was associated with removing the remaining carbon budget from the Cop text, according to scientists?

    A: Removing the carbon budget meant “removing reality from the Cop,” as the remaining budget for 1.5C warming is "essentially consumed".

20. Q: What metaphor did Harjeet Singh use to describe the meeting if no progress was made on a just transition and finance?

    A: He warned that the meeting would “go down as the deadliest talk show ever produced”.

21. Q: What was the primary logistical challenge regarding temperature control at the 160,000 square meter Cop30 Blue Zone venue?

    A: The vast air conditioning system struggled to deal with equatorial heat outside and fluctuating energy generated by the throngs of people inside, resulting in temperatures ranging from 28.2 degrees down to 17.3 degrees.

22. Q: What historic agreement was reached for the Cop31 summit?

    A: Turkey will host the event in Antalya and take the presidency, while Australian energy minister Chris Bowen will be appointed vice-president and “president of negotiations” with exclusive authority over negotiations.

23. Q: What concession did Australia make regarding the location of the Pre-Cop31 meeting?

    A: Australia will preside over the Pre-Cop31 meeting in a yet-to-be-decided Pacific island country to highlight Pacific climate impacts and responses.

24. Q: Why did Pakistan argue that laying the blame on developing countries for lack of progress on fossil fuel transition was unfair?

    A: Pakistan argued it was unfair because developed countries refuse to provide the finance needed for a fair transition, calling it an issue of climate justice.

25. Q: What were the reported stances of China and India on the proposed fossil fuel phase-out roadmap?

    A: China is reportedly not among the countries blocking the roadmap, while India insisted developed countries bear responsibility for past greenhouse gas emissions.

26. Q: What caused a temporary suspension of the Cop30 conference venue?

    A: The conference was temporarily suspended after a fire broke out in a venue.

27. Q: Who committed to donate €1 billion (US$1.5 billion) towards Brazil's rainforest blended-finance mechanism over the next decade?

    A: Germany committed this donation, announced by Brazilian environment minister Marina Silva.

28. Q: What was one of the complaints cited by staff at the help desk at the Cop30 venue?

    A: Staff reported that roughly four in ten complaints concerned the heat.

29. Q: What specific action did Yanomami Shaman Davi Kopenawa Yanomami claim to take regarding the conference center?

    A: He said he called these deluges (thunderstorms) onto the venue to remind people inside of the power of nature.

30. Q: What percentage of G20 aggregate growth is forecast by the IMF for 2030?

    A: G20 aggregate growth is forecast to fall to 2.9% by 2030.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict and Global Geopolitics

31. Q: What key concessions are reportedly demanded of Ukraine in the 28-point peace proposal?

    A: The demands reportedly include ceding control of Russian-occupied Donbas territories, capping Ukraine’s military size (around 600,000 people), forgoing NATO membership indefinitely, and accommodating Russian language rights.

32. Q: What deadline did President Trump reportedly issue for Ukraine to respond to the peace proposal?

    A: Ukraine was reportedly given a deadline of November 27 (Thanksgiving in the US) to accept the peace proposal or risk losing all US weapons shipments and military intelligence support.

33. Q: How did Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky describe the peace plan proposal?

    A: He described it as a “stark dilemma,” requiring Ukraine to choose between a “loss of dignity, or the risk of losing a key partner”.

34. Q: Did President Putin accept the 28-point plan as a final agreement?

    A: No, Putin confirmed he received the proposal but stated Russia agrees only with the principles discussed at the August 2025 Alaska summit.

35. Q: What does the Kremlin consider the "root causes" of the war that must be eliminated in any peace agreement?

    A: This is Kremlin shorthand for demanding its original war aims regarding NATO expansion and the removal of the current Ukrainian government.

36. Q: Why did John Herbst criticize the inclusion of limitations on military size in the draft plan?

    A: He criticized the limitations placed on the victim nation's (Ukraine's) arms and forces with none on the aggressor (Russia), calling it rewarding the aggressor.

37. Q: What potential positive element did John Herbst note regarding the draft peace plan?

    A: The discussion of US security guarantees, suggesting that if they were as solid as NATO's Article 5, it would be a serious deterrent.

38. Q: Why is the time limit on security guarantees for Ukraine considered dangerous?

    A: The guarantees would reportedly only last for 10 years and need renewal, allowing Russia to potentially reinvade with a rested and reconstituted military after they expire.

39. Q: How did experts from the European Policy Centre describe Europe's role in the current conflict management?

    A: They argued Europe is “being written out of its own future” because it failed to build capacity and has outsourced strategic choices, reducing itself to managing fallout.

40. Q: What strategic action did European partners reportedly plan to take in response to the peace proposal?

    A: They reportedly planned to meet on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Johannesburg to develop their own peace proposal.

41. Q: What did Russian Chief of the General Staff Army General Valery Gerasimov claim on November 20?

    A: Gerasimov claimed that Russian forces had captured the city of Kupyansk in the Kharkiv region.

42. Q: Did Ukrainian military sources confirm the capture of Kupyansk?

    A: No, the Ukrainian military denied this information.

43. Q: How much additional territory (in square kilometers) has Russia seized since the August 2025 Alaska summit?

    A: Russian forces seized approximately 908 square kilometers of additional territory (about the area of Berlin).

44. Q: What is the primary reason why Russia is heavily invested in compelling Ukraine to surrender critical terrain now?

    A: Russia is facing mounting materiel, manpower, and economic challenges and is unlikely to obtain the critical terrain by force on any rapid timeline.

45. Q: What were Russian commanders seen doing in various settlements on November 21 to support claims of success?

    A: They were seen using geolocated footage of small groups of Russian servicemembers raising flags in Kupyansk, Novoselivka, Stavky, and Yampil, which ISW assessed did not change the actual control of terrain.

46. Q: Where are Ukrainian forces continuing to counterattack, indicating a dynamic situation?

    A: Ukrainian forces continue to counterattack in the Pokrovsk direction.

47. Q: What relatively elite Russian force has been redeployed to the Pokrovsk direction?

    A: Elements of the 76th Airborne (VDV) Division are being redeployed to the Pokrovsk direction.

48. Q: How many civilians were killed and injured in a Russian glide bomb strike on Zaporizhzhia city on the night of November 20–21?

    A: Five people were killed and three others were injured.

49. Q: What critical Ukrainian infrastructure has been damaged by Russian missile and drone strikes, reducing electricity production capacity?

    A: Russian strikes have damaged all major thermal and hydroelectric power plants in Ukraine.

50. Q: What action did Russia's Rosfinmonitoring take against former Prime Minister Mikhail Kasyanov?

    A: It added him to its list of extremists and terrorists.

51. Q: What did Poland warn about regarding Russian operatives?

    A: Poland accused Russian operatives of railway sabotage.

52. Q: What major defense sale did the US approve for Saudi Arabia?

    A: The US approved a defense sale that includes future deliveries of F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia.

53. Q: What designation did President Trump announce for Saudi Arabia on November 18?

    A: He announced the designation of Saudi Arabia as a major non-NATO ally.

54. Q: How did President Trump escalate partisan divides domestically regarding Democratic veteran lawmakers?

    A: He reposted content accusing six Democratic military veterans in Congress of “seditious behavior punishable by death”.

55. Q: Where did the fourth EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum take place, and who chaired it?

    A: The forum took place in Brussels on November 20-21, 2025, chaired by Kaja Kallas.

56. Q: What key agreements were highlighted as progress in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum?

    A: Progress included Security and Defence Partnerships with Japan and the Republic of Korea and the conclusion of negotiations on the EU-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

57. Q: What new structured initiative will the EU seek to establish following the Ministerial Forum?

    A: The EU will seek to establish a new structured initiative to enhance cooperation on the Protection of Critical Maritime Infrastructure among partners.

58. Q: What does the EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy aim to enhance among partners?

    A: It aims to enhance mutual security, prosperity, and resilience, and lay the foundations for an ambitious partnership.

59. Q: What trade deal was signed between the EU and South Africa?

    A: The EU Clean Trade and Investment Partnership was signed with South Africa.

60. Q: What infrastructure investment strategy does the EU intend to roll out in the Indo-Pacific?

    A: The roll-out of major Global Gateway investment projects.

Financial Markets and Economic Trends

61. Q: How did the three major US stock indexes close the week of November 21, 2025?

    A: All three major stock indexes closed the week lower (posted weekly losses), despite sharp gains on Friday afternoon.

62. Q: What was the increase in the Dow Jones Industrial Average on Friday, November 21?

    A: The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished up 1.1%, gaining nearly 500 points.

63. Q: What caused the sharp rebound in US stocks on Friday?

    A: The surge came after New York Fed President John Williams signaled support for an additional rate cut by the Federal Reserve "in the near term".

64. Q: What is the estimated likelihood for a Federal Reserve interest rate cut in December, according to the CME FedWatch tool?

    A: The tool is predicting a roughly 70% likelihood of a rate cut, a sharp jump from just under 40% the previous day.

65. Q: Which sector of the market saw shares boosted by the renewed rate-cut optimism?

    A: Stocks of companies exposed to the housing market were boosted, as they would benefit from lower mortgage rates.

66. Q: Which major tech company was the heaviest decliner in the S&P 500 on Friday?

    A: Oracle (ORCL) shares tumbled 5.7%, continuing a recent downtrend.

67. Q: What financial moves contributed to concerns about Oracle's valuation and caused its stock to decline significantly over the month?

    A: Oracle raised $18 billion in new debt to fund its infrastructure buildout, pushing its overall debt past $100 billion.

68. Q: What concerns continued to weigh on high-flying tech stocks like Nvidia (NVDA)?

    A: Concerns about an AI bubble and over-investing in AI infrastructure weighed on the stocks.

69. Q: Which two nuclear power providers, linked to powering AI data centers, saw their stocks fall due to AI bubble fears?

    A: Vistra (VST) and Constellation Energy Corp. (CEG) fell.

70. Q: What major cryptocurrency continued its recent slide, hitting its lowest level since April 11?

    A: Bitcoin (BTC) fell to as low as about $80,600.

71. Q: By what percentage has Bitcoin lost its value since hitting its record high on October 6?

    A: Bitcoin has lost about a third of its value since hitting a record high of around $125,000 on October 6.

72. Q: Which healthcare firm briefly became the first to hit a market capitalization of $1 trillion?

    A: Eli Lilly (LLY), the maker of weight-loss drugs Zepbound and Mounjaro, briefly surpassed the $1 trillion market cap threshold.

73. Q: What market trend outperformed the broader market in November?

    A: The Health Care Index has risen 5% in November, handily outpacing the broader S&P 500, which was down more than 4%.

74. Q: Which company, whose shares jumped 4%, attributed part of its success to its AI tools boosting demand?

    A: Intuit (INTU), the maker of TurboTax and QuickBooks, saw shares jump after reporting strong results aided by its AI-driven expert platform strategy.

75. Q: What off-price retailer reported exceeding sales and profit estimates, driven by bargain-seeking consumers?

    A: Ross Stores (ROST) surged 8.4% after highlighting strength in the back-to-school shopping season.

76. Q: What percentage of car buyers surveyed by J.D. Power factored in tariffs when purchasing a new vehicle this year?

    A: 36% of buyers factored in tariffs, with 87% of those buying sooner than planned.

77. Q: What debt financing trend has contributed to caution among investors in the stock market?

    A: Major US tech "hyperscalers" have raised record amounts via bonds to fund AI infrastructure, with issuance now over $120 billion so far this year.

Cybersecurity and Technology

78. Q: What operating system is Bactor Ransomware primarily identified as targeting?

    A: Bactor Ransomware primarily targets the Windows operating system.

79. Q: What file extension does Bactor Ransomware add to encrypted files?

    A: It renames affected items by adding the attacker’s email address along with the “.bactor” extension.

80. Q: How does Bactor Ransomware prevent victims from retrieving files using system restore points?

    A: It kills processes like vssadmin.exe Delete Shadows /all /quiet to eliminate Volume Shadow Copies.

81. Q: What non-encryption threat does the Bactor ransom note employ to pressure victims?

    A: The attackers threaten to sell or publish exfiltrated data on the dark web if payment is not made, often imposing a strict 48-hour deadline.

82. Q: What is the newly uncovered macOS threat that hides inside a fake DynamicLake application?

    A: The sophisticated macOS threat is dubbed DigitStealer.

83. Q: What strategic targeting method does DigitStealer use to avoid detection by researchers?

    A: It checks the system type and refuses to run on virtual machines, older hardware, or systems from certain regions.

84. Q: Which specific financial application does DigitStealer target for tampering?

    A: It targets the Ledger cryptocurrency wallet application by modifying its internal configuration.

85. Q: What state-sponsored threat group, believed to operate from Pakistan, expanded its espionage operations into Europe and North America?

    A: APT36 (also known as Transparent Tribe).

86. Q: What technology did a Chinese cyberespionage campaign reportedly leverage to automate all phases of its attacks against 30 organizations?

    A: They leveraged Claude AI to automate tasks like reconnaissance, access, persistence, and data exfiltration.

87. Q: What Australian official warned that Chinese government-linked hackers were probing Australian communications and critical infrastructure?

    A: The director-general of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation made the accusation.

88. Q: Which Japanese barcode and RFID technology provider was compromised by Cl0p Ransomware?

    A: SATO was compromised by Cl0p Ransomware, with confidential data allegedly stolen.

89. Q: What Japanese manufacturer specializing in radio communications equipment was compromised by Qilin Ransomware?

    A: Yaesu, a manufacturer of amateur and professional radio equipment, was compromised by Qilin Ransomware.

90. Q: What is the key goal of EU Digital Diplomacy?

    A: To secure the EU global role in the digital world, protect its strategic interests, and promote its human-centric regulatory framework for inclusive digital transformation.

Global Events, Conflicts, and Disasters

91. Q: Where was the historic G20 summit held in November 2025?

    A: The G20 summit was hosted in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the first time the event was hosted on African soil.

92. Q: What action did China take following Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi’s comments regarding Taiwan?

    A: Beijing retaliated by suspending all Japanese seafood imports and canceling over 20 cultural exchanges.

93. Q: How many civilians were killed in renewed Israeli operations in Gaza, straining the fragile ceasefire?

    A: At least 33 civilians were killed in renewed Israeli operations in Gaza, with over 300 Palestinian deaths recorded since the October truce.

94. Q: How many students and teachers were abducted from a Catholic boarding school in Niger State, Nigeria, on November 21?

    A: At least 227 students and teachers were abducted, and one teacher was killed.

95. Q: What was the impact of floods in Vietnam caused by typhoon remnants?

    A: The floods killed at least 43 people, submerging tourist sites and displacing thousands.

96. Q: What happened to an Indian Air Force HAL Tejas jet at the Dubai Airshow?

    A: The jet crashed at the Dubai Airshow, killing the pilot.

97. Q: What disaster struck Bangladesh near Dhaka on November 21?

    A: A Mw 5.5 earthquake struck central Bangladesh, killing ten people and wounding over 350 more.

98. Q: What caused Indonesia's Mount Semeru to erupt, forcing evacuations?

    A: The eruption forced the evacuation of over 1,000 people and spewed ash plumes 13 km high.

99. Q: What happened on a walking trail in British Columbia, Canada, resulting in multiple casualties?

    A: A grizzly bear attack injured 11 schoolchildren and teachers, two critically.

100. Q: Why did Mumbai’s civic body implement a ban on pigeon feeding?

     A: The ban was implemented, citing respiratory issues caused by the birds' increasing numbers.

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