Global Tipping Points: Geopolitics, AI Regulation, and Economic Shifts on November 24, 2025
The global landscape on November 24, 2025, was defined by sharp geopolitical tensions, a dovish shift in US monetary policy, and significant efforts by the European Union to recalibrate its landmark AI compliance timelines. While markets reacted positively to potential interest rate cuts, diplomatic progress in conflicts remained fragile, underscored by dramatic escalations in the Middle East and ongoing tensions in the Asia-Pacific region.
I. Geopolitical Fault Lines: Taiwan, Ukraine, and the Middle East
The day’s headlines centered on high-stakes diplomatic calls and dangerous military escalations, confirming that geopolitical risk remains high.
A. US-China Dialogue: Taiwan and Trade
Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with Donald Trump on Monday (November 24, 2025), confirming that Beijing’s claims to Taiwan remain unchanged. During the call, Xi emphasized that Taiwan’s return to China was an “integral part of the postwar international order” forged in the joint US-China fight against “fascism and militarism”.
However, this stance was immediately rejected by Taiwan’s premier, Cho Jung-tai, who stated on Tuesday that the "Republic of China, Taiwan, is a fully sovereign and independent country" and that a “return” to China is simply "not an option" for the island's 23 million people.
The call came amidst rising tensions, particularly a weeks-long diplomatic row between Beijing and key US ally Japan. The dispute was triggered after Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi, suggested that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan. Takaichi later held her own call with Trump, where they discussed US-Japan alliance strengthening and challenges facing the Indo-Pacific region.
Despite the friction over Taiwan, Trump did not mention the island in his public statement on Truth Social, instead praising “extremely strong” US-China relations. China’s foreign ministry reported that Trump told Xi the US “understands how important the Taiwan question is to China”.
Beyond Taiwan, the leaders also touched on strengthening the fragile trade truce reached in South Korea in late October. Xi stated that the successful meeting “recalibrated the course of the giant ship of China-US relations” and provided momentum for steady progress. This trade truce included Beijing agreeing to suspend certain export restrictions on critical minerals (like rare earths) for one year.
B. Conflict and Diplomatic Hurdles in the Levant and Ukraine
Middle East Escalation
Tensions in the Middle East intensified dramatically with an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) airstrike on a Beirut suburb, killing a senior Hezbollah commander and at least five people, including civilians. Israel justified the precision operation as preemptive against imminent threats. Hezbollah condemned the action as a "ceasefire violation" and signaling broader aggressive intent.
This strike occurred as the fragile US-brokered ceasefire in Gaza continues to face strain. Israeli airstrikes in Gaza over the weekend killed at least 24 Palestinians. Gaza’s Government Media Office reported nearly 500 truce violations in 44 days since the ceasefire began on October 10. Disturbingly, UNICEF highlighted that two children are being killed daily in Gaza despite the cessation of hostilities.
Ramiz Alakbarov, the UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, briefed the Security Council, urging all parties to exercise restraint. He highlighted the catastrophic damage in Gaza: almost 80% of Gaza’s 250,000 buildings are damaged or destroyed, and over 1.7 million people remain displaced in overcrowded shelters. He noted the critical need to address the alarming water and sanitation situation, particularly the Sheikh Radwan pond, which has become an open sewage tank, risking a public health catastrophe. The UN’s estimated reconstruction costs for Gaza, as assessed in March, stood at approximately $53 billion.
Ukraine Peace Talks Stalled by Territory
Diplomatic efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict between Russia and Ukraine continued in Geneva, resulting in an "updated and refined" 19-point peace plan framework co-drafted by U.S. and Ukrainian officials. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the discussions as the “best” yet, with the plan aiming to defer thorny issues like territorial control to future rounds.
However, the major hurdle remains Russia’s insistence on formal recognition of its annexations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated that territorial integrity is "non-negotiable," framing any concession as a betrayal of sovereignty. European allies, concerned that the US blueprint risks echoing Moscow’s maximalist demands, have circulated a counter-proposal rejecting unilateral disarmament.
C. The Venezuela FTO Designation
In a "bold foreign policy stroke", the U.S. designated Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles—a drug network tied to President Nicolás Maduro’s military—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This move criminalizes material support for the group, enables broader sanctions, and signals intensified efforts to isolate the regime. Following FAA warnings of hazards, airlines have already suspended flights over Venezuelan airspace.
II. Economic Outlook and Market Response to the Fed Shift
Financial markets experienced a significant rally following signals of an impending shift in US monetary policy, even as global growth forecasts pointed toward a slowdown in 2026.
A. Fed Dovish Shift Spurs Global Rally
Global equities rebounded sharply after Fed officials signaled the possibility of interest rate cuts. Traders are now pricing in a roughly 60% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut in December. This dovish repricing followed remarks from Fed’s John Williams, who characterized current policy as “modestly restrictive”.
The immediate market reaction was strong:
- S&P 500 gained +0.98%.
- Dow rose +1.08%.
- Nasdaq climbed +0.77%.
- The Russell 2000 surged +2.8%.
In commodities, gold held steady near USD 4,060/oz. The currency market saw the yen hovering near a 10-month low.
B. Global Economic Forecasts and Tariffs
The Conference Board forecasts that global real GDP growth will continue to slow in 2026. Following 3.3% growth in 2024, growth is on track to ease to 3.1% in 2025, and then slow further to 2.9% in 2026, before rebounding slightly to 3.0% in 2027.
A major factor in the anticipated slowdown is the negative shock associated with US tariffs. Many economies experienced strong growth in H1 2025 due to US businesses front-loading demand and stockpiling inventory ahead of tariff implementation. However, this effect is expected to wane, leading to weaker economic numbers in Q4 2025 and early 2026 as the “full weight of tariffs takes its toll”.
In trade discussions, Trump’s team has internally discussed potentially permitting Nvidia to sell H200 chips to China, although export licenses remain mandatory. The UK also abolished its “de minimis” import rule, meaning all parcels below GBP 135 will now be subject to tariffs.
III. EU AI Act: The Digital Omnibus Proposal
The European Commission’s publication of the proposed “Digital Omnibus on AI” on November 19, 2025, signals a crucial turning point for businesses preparing for the EU AI Act. The proposal aims to streamline implementation, ease compliance burdens, and adjust deadlines ahead of the AI Act’s full application on August 2, 2026.
This proposal targets amendments that will have important implications for companies that place, put into service, or use AI systems in the EU.
A. Extended Compliance Timelines
The proposal seeks to delay the application date for high-risk AI system requirements, making the application conditional on the readiness of harmonized standards, common specifications, or guidelines.
New deadlines are introduced as long-stop dates:
- Annex III Use Cases: Rules would apply, at the latest, from December 2, 2027 (currently August 2, 2026).
- Systems Comprising or Embedded into Regulated Products: Rules would apply, at the latest, from August 2, 2028 (currently August 2, 2027).
B. Grace Periods and Strategy Shift
The omnibus proposal introduces targeted grace periods for AI systems already on the EU market.
- Generative AI: Providers of generative AI systems released before August 2, 2026, would have an additional six months (until February 2, 2027) to retrofit their systems to meet new transparency obligations, such as watermarking artificially generated content.
- Legacy High-Risk Systems: A significant clarification regarding the "grace period" for legacy high-risk systems placed lawfully on the market before the new rules apply means that identical units can continue to be placed or used without needing to retrofit or triggering additional certification, provided the design remains unchanged. This approach is expected to encourage the accelerated launch of products by most businesses in advance of the high-risk compliance deadlines.
C. Simplification and Enforcement
The proposal also includes several key simplification and enforcement changes:
- Bias Mitigation: The derogation allowing processing of sensitive data to detect and correct bias is broadened. All AI providers and deployers—regardless of risk level or training method—could use this exemption, provided they meet processing conditions.
- Registration: The requirement for providers to register "not high-risk" Annex III use cases in the EU database is removed. Providers must still document their risk assessments for regulators.
- Enforcement Centralization: Enforcement is partially centralized, granting the European Commission’s new AI Office exclusive supervisory authority over general-purpose AI models and systems embedded in "very large online platforms" (VLOPs) under the Digital Services Act.
IV. Climate Action and Humanitarian Crises
November 24 also highlighted the urgent disparity between global climate goals and political action, alongside a severe humanitarian disaster in Asia.
A. Disappointing Conclusion of COP30
The global climate summit, COP30, in Belém, Brazil, concluded without achieving the decisive steps urgently needed. WWF sharply criticized the outcome, with its Global Climate and Energy Lead calling the summit a “carousel of illusions,” lacking substance due to "games played by the forces against climate ambition".
Key failures of the summit included:
- No agreement on a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels in the formal texts, despite support from 86 countries.
- Failure to secure a plan to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030.
The most significant formal success was the approval of a just transition mechanism to strengthen cooperation and support developing nations in the shift to renewable energy.
B. Devastation in Vietnam
Central Vietnam is grappling with devastating floods and landslides. Relentless rains resulted in a death toll of 90 people and displaced over 235,000 homes. Economic losses exceeded $341 million in farmland and infrastructure, highlighting Asia’s acute climate vulnerability.
In Summary: The events of November 24, 2025, illustrate a world moving simultaneously forward and backward. While financial markets found momentum following US rate cut speculation, major powers remain fundamentally at odds over core territorial disputes like Taiwan and the terms of peace in Ukraine. Furthermore, ambitious regulatory frameworks for the digital age (EU AI Act) are being adjusted for practical implementation, even as the global community fails to meet necessary targets on climate change. This confluence of regulatory progress, economic optimism, and security crises ensures that the path ahead will remain volatile.
World News Briefing: November 24, 2025
Date: Monday, November 24, 2025 Summary: A daily roundup of critical global developments, covering geopolitical tensions, major summits, national politics, and significant cultural events.
🚨 Top Stories
Middle East Tensions Escalate Despite Truce
Gaza Ceasefire Strain: The U.S.-brokered ceasefire, which began on October 10, is under severe strain. Funerals were held in Gaza today following Israeli airstrikes that killed at least 24 people over the weekend. Gaza's Government Media Office reports nearly 500 truce violations in 44 days. UNICEF has highlighted a grim statistic, reporting that two children are being killed daily in Gaza despite the cessation of hostilities.
Beirut Airstrike: Tensions flared in Lebanon after an Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb killed five people. Israel claimed the strike successfully targeted and assassinated Hezbollah's acting chief of staff.
US Escalates Stance on Venezuela
The Trump administration is poised to formally designate Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his government allies as members of a "foreign terrorist organization," labeling them the "Cártel de los Soles."
Military Moves: General Dan Caine, Chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is visiting Puerto Rico as a U.S. Navy warship deploys to the Caribbean.
Flight Suspensions: Several international airlines have halted flights to and from Venezuela following a new safety warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
🌍 Global Politics & Diplomacy
G20 Summit Concludes in South Africa
The G20 summit in South Africa concluded yesterday, marking the first time the event was hosted on the African continent.
US Boycott: The United States boycotted the meeting, citing allegations regarding the treatment of the white-minority population in South Africa.
Key Discussions: Leaders discussed global supply chain resilience, with Indian PM Narendra Modi pushing for a "Critical Minerals Initiative" to reduce dependence on China. The next summit is scheduled to be held in the United States.
COP30 Ends Without Fossil Fuel Agreement
The U.N. climate summit (COP30) in Belém, Brazil, ended without a decisive agreement to phase out coal, oil, and gas, despite them being the primary drivers of global climate change.
Ukraine Peace Talks in Geneva
U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials met in Geneva to discuss a U.S. proposal to end the Russia-Ukraine war.
Trump's Ultimatum: Reports indicate President Trump warned Ukrainian President Zelenskyy that U.S. support would cease if Ukraine refused to cooperate with the ongoing peace negotiations.
Russian Involvement: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Turkish President Erdogan also held phone discussions regarding the conflict today.
🇮🇳 India National News
Bollywood Legend Dharmendra Passes Away
Veteran actor and icon of Indian cinema, Dharmendra, passed away today at the age of 89. Known as the "He-Man" of Bollywood, he left behind a massive legacy of hit films. Tributes poured in from across the political and entertainment spectrum, including from PM Modi and other senior leaders. His funeral was held at the Vile Parle crematorium in Mumbai.
Justice Surya Kant Sworn in as CJI
Justice Surya Kant took the oath today as the 53rd Chief Justice of India. He has previously been part of landmark verdicts, including those related to the Article 370 abrogation and the Pegasus inquiry.
Terrorism Case Update
In a significant development in the 1990 IAF personnel attack case, a key eyewitness identified separatist leader Yasin Malik in a TADA court as one of the shooters.
Bangladesh Seeks Extradition
The interim government of Bangladesh has formally sent a letter to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs seeking the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, following a death sentence issued by a tribunal in Dhaka.
🇺🇸 US Domestic Affairs
Political Tensions: Democratic lawmakers filed police complaints after President Trump accused them of "seditious behavior" and suggested severe punishments.
Disaster Aid Denied: The Trump administration denied federal disaster aid to Chicago residents following two major storms this summer, citing disputes over the damage assessment.
Supreme Court Ruling: The SCOTUS temporarily restored a Texas congressional map that a lower court had previously declared an illegal gerrymander.
💼 Business & Technology
Spectrum War in India: A major clash has emerged over 6GHz spectrum allocation. U.S. tech giants (Apple, Amazon, Meta, etc.) are opposing demands by Indian telcos (Jio, Vodafone Idea) to allocate this band for mobile services, arguing it should be reserved for Wi-Fi.
Gold Markets: Gold prices dipped by over 1% today due to a strengthening dollar and uncertainty regarding the U.S. Federal Reserve's stance on interest rate cuts in December.
🏆 Sports
Cricket: India created history by defeating Nepal to lift the inaugural Women's T20 World Cup for the Blind.
Badminton: Indian shuttler Lakshya Sen ended a title drought by clinching the Australian Open trophy.
Test Cricket: In the 2nd Test between India and South Africa, the Proteas have built a commanding lead of over 300 runs by the end of Day 3 in Guwahati.
Here are the major world news highlights from 24 November 2025:
Global headlines were dominated by the G20 Summit in India, ongoing Middle East tensions, and significant sports victories.
🌍 International Affairs
- G20 Summit in India: Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged nations to move from profit-driven innovation toward models focused on humanity, equity, and cooperation. He also announced that India will host the AI Impact Summit in February 2026, themed “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (welfare and happiness for all). Modi held bilateral meetings with leaders from Japan, Netherlands, Jamaica, and South Africa.
- Israel–Gaza Conflict: Despite a U.S.-brokered ceasefire, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 24 Palestinians in Gaza. Reports indicate Israel has violated the truce nearly 500 times since October 10. UNICEF highlighted that two children per day have been killed during the ceasefire period.
- French Navy: Officials denied reports of Rafale fighter jet losses amid rumors circulating internationally.
- Mossad: Israel’s intelligence agency claimed to have uncovered Hamas attack plots across Europe.
🇮🇳 India
- A key eyewitness identified separatist leader Yasin Malik in a 1990 attack case during TADA court proceedings.
- India and Israel are moving forward with a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in two phases to ensure early benefits.
⚽ Sports
- Cricket: South Africa scored 489 runs against India, putting the visitors under pressure after bowlers struggled on a flat pitch.
- Blind Women’s T20 World Cup: India clinched the title, marking a historic achievement.
- Badminton: Lakshya Sen won the Australian Open title, boosting India’s global sports profile.
- Shubman Gill was sidelined with a neck injury, while Rishabh Pant returned as India’s vice-captain.
💼 Business & Technology
- India is considering raising the FDI cap in insurance, signaling potential reforms in the financial sector.
- The upcoming AI Impact Summit 2026 is expected to focus on ethical and inclusive technology.
✅ In summary: The day’s biggest stories were the G20 Summit in India, Israeli airstrikes in Gaza despite ceasefire, and India’s sports triumphs in cricket, badminton, and blind women’s T20.
100 Question-Answer pairs covering geopolitics, economic forecasts, AI regulation, and global events of November 24, 2025.
Geopolitics: US-China, Taiwan, Japan, Ukraine, and the Middle East
| Q NO. | Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Which two leaders spoke by phone on Monday, November 24, 2025, amidst rising tensions over Taiwan? | Chinese leader Xi Jinping spoke with Donald Trump. | |
| 2 | According to the Chinese foreign ministry, what did Xi Jinping tell Trump about Taiwan's return? | Xi told Trump that Taiwan’s return to China was an “integral part of the postwar international order” forged in the joint US-China fight against “fascism and militarism”. | |
| 3 | How did Taiwan’s premier, Cho Jung-tai, respond to the notion of Taiwan returning to China? | Cho Jung-tai emphasized that the "Republic of China, Taiwan, is a fully sovereign and independent country," stating that a “return” to China is "not an option" for the island's 23 million people. | |
| 4 | What country triggered a weeks-long diplomatic row with Beijing over Taiwan? | Key US ally Japan triggered the diplomatic row. | |
| 5 | What action by Japan's new prime minister triggered the dispute with Beijing? | The dispute was triggered after Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s new prime minister, suggested that Tokyo could intervene militarily in any attack on Taiwan. | |
| 6 | What did Donald Trump post on Truth Social about his call with Xi Jinping? | Trump praised “extremely strong” US-China relations and did not mention Taiwan in his public post. | |
| 7 | What did China's foreign ministry report that Trump told Xi regarding the Taiwan question? | According to China’s foreign ministry, Trump told Xi that the US “understands how important the Taiwan question is to China”. | |
| 8 | What trade agreement did the US and China achieve in South Korea in late October? | They reached a tentative trade truce that saw Beijing agree to suspend certain export restrictions on critical minerals for one year. | |
| 9 | What commodity is China hugely dominant in the mining and processing of, which is essential for sophisticated electronic components? | China is hugely dominant in the mining and processing of rare earths. | |
| 10 | What quantity of American soya beans did Beijing agree to buy in 2026? | Beijing agreed to buy 25 million metric tons of American soya beans in 2026. | |
| 11 | What major escalation occurred in the Middle East on November 24? | An Israeli airstrike on a Beirut suburb killed a senior Hezbollah commander (Hezbollah's acting chief of staff) and at least five people, including civilians. | |
| 12 | How many Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza over the weekend preceding November 24? | At least 24 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes in Gaza over the weekend. | |
| 13 | How many truce violations did Gaza's Government Media Office report since the ceasefire began on October 10? | Gaza’s Government Media Office reported nearly 500 truce violations in 44 days since the ceasefire began on October 10. | |
| 14 | What concerning statistic did UNICEF provide about child fatalities in Gaza despite the ceasefire? | UNICEF highlighted that two children are being killed daily in Gaza despite the cessation of hostilities. | |
| 15 | What US foreign policy action was taken against Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles? | The U.S. formally designated Venezuela's Cartel de los Soles—a network tied to Maduro's military—as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). | |
| 16 | What consequence immediately followed FAA warnings regarding Venezuelan airspace? | Airlines have suspended flights over Venezuelan airspace. | |
| 17 | What was the result of the high-level peace talks in Geneva regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict? | The talks yielded an "updated and refined" 19-point peace plan framework co-drafted by U.S. and Ukrainian officials. | |
| 18 | What essential principle did Ukrainian President Zelenskyy reiterate regarding the conflict? | Zelenskyy reiterated that territorial integrity is "non-negotiable," framing any concession as a betrayal of sovereignty. | |
| 19 | What was U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s assessment of the Ukraine peace discussions in Geneva? | Rubio described the discussions as the “best” yet. | |
| 20 | What action did China take in response to Japan's Taiwan-adjacent missile deployments? | China rebuked Japan’s Taiwan-adjacent missile deployments as "dangerous". |
EU AI Act: Digital Omnibus Proposal and Compliance
| Q NO. | Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | When did the European Commission publish the proposed “Digital Omnibus on AI”? | The European Commission published the proposal on November 19, 2025. | |
| 22 | When is the EU AI Act scheduled for full application under the original timeline? | The EU AI Act is scheduled for full application on August 2, 2026. | |
| 23 | What is the proposed new long-stop application date for Annex III high-risk AI systems? | The rules would apply, at the latest, from December 2, 2027 (delayed from the original August 2, 2026 date). | |
| 24 | What is the proposed new long-stop application date for high-risk AI systems embedded into regulated products? | The rules would apply, at the latest, from August 2, 2028 (delayed from the original August 2, 2027 date). | |
| 25 | What condition must be met for the European Commission to bring high-risk compliance application forward? | Application is conditional on the readiness of harmonized standards, common specifications, or guidelines. | |
| 26 | What specific transparency obligation is mandated for generative AI systems? | Providers must mark artificially generated or manipulated content using watermarks, metadata, or other digital tags. | |
| 27 | What grace period is granted for generative AI systems released before August 2, 2026? | They would have an additional six months (until February 2, 2027) to retrofit their systems to meet new transparency obligations. | |
| 28 | What effect is the clarification of the "grace period" for identical legacy high-risk systems expected to have on business strategy? | This approach is expected to encourage the accelerated launch of products by most businesses in advance of the high-risk AI compliance deadlines. | |
| 29 | What is the final deadline for legacy high-risk systems intended for use by public authorities? | Such systems must be brought into full compliance by August 2, 2030. | |
| 30 | Who benefits from the broadened bias mitigation derogation for sensitive data processing? | All AI providers and deployers—regardless of risk level or training method—could use this exemption. | |
| 31 | What is removed for providers who demonstrate an Annex III use case is 'not high-risk'? | The requirement for registration in the EU database is removed. | |
| 32 | What is the status of the European Commission's power to adopt binding codes of practice for general-purpose AI models under the proposal? | The European Commission would lose its powers to adopt binding codes of practice, making them "soft law," limiting enforceability. | |
| 33 | What takes precedence when a high-risk AI system is subject to both product regulation and classified as a high-risk Annex III use case? | The conformity assessment required under the relevant product regulation will take precedence. | |
| 34 | What is introduced alongside existing national sandboxes for general-purpose AI models? | An EU-level regulatory sandbox is introduced, creating a dual-layer structure. | |
| 35 | What entities are the relief measures for simplified documentation and penalty caps being extended to? | Certain SME carve outs are extended to include Small Mid-Caps (SMCs). | |
| 36 | What is one of the thresholds that defines a Small Mid-Cap (SMC) under the proposal? | An SMC must have fewer than 750 employees OR net turnover ≤ 150 million euros OR balance sheet total ≤ 129 million euros (meeting two of the three thresholds). | |
| 37 | Which new body is granted exclusive supervisory authority over general-purpose AI models and systems embedded in VLOPs? | The European Commission’s new AI Office is granted exclusive supervisory authority. | |
| 38 | Where does enforcement for high-risk AI systems embedded in regulated products listed in Annex I, Section A, remain? | Enforcement would remain with the relevant national product safety regulators. | |
| 39 | What is the projected timeline for the implementation of the Digital Omnibus on AI changes? | Implementation is targeted for 2026 – 2027. | |
| 40 | What is a practical step businesses should take regarding compliance timelines due to the proposal? | Businesses should remap timelines but also model an early activation scenario if the European Commission deems compliance tools “adequate”. |
Economic Forecasts and Market News
| Q NO. | Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | What percentage chance are traders pricing in for a 25 basis point Fed rate cut in December? | Traders now price roughly a 60% chance of a 25 basis point rate cut in December. | |
| 42 | What Fed official made dovish remarks that spurred the global rally? | Fed’s John Williams made dovish remarks, characterizing current policy as “modestly restrictive”. | |
| 43 | What was the gain for the S&P 500 following the dovish shift? | The S&P 500 gained +0.98%. | |
| 44 | How much did the Russell 2000 surge following the dovish repricing? | The Russell 2000 surged +2.8%. | |
| 45 | What was the price level of gold on November 24? | Gold held steady near USD 4,060/oz. | |
| 46 | What is The Conference Board's forecast for global real GDP growth in 2026? | Growth is forecasted to slow further to 2.9% in 2026. | |
| 47 | What was the strong global real GDP growth rate observed in 2024? | Global real GDP growth was 3.3% in 2024. | |
| 48 | What is the main negative economic shock expected to take its toll in Q4 2025 and early 2026? | The negative shock associated with US tariffs is expected to manifest, waning the effect of front-loaded demand. | |
| 49 | Which US market sectors dominated gains later in 2025 due to AI? | Tech (+19%) and Communications (+24%) dominated later on AI gains. | |
| 50 | What is the forecasted earnings growth for the technology sector in 2026? | Analysts forecast up to +24% earnings growth for the technology sector in 2026. | |
| 51 | What UK import rule was abolished, affecting small parcels? | The UK abolished the “de minimis” import rule. | |
| 52 | What is the new tariff threshold for parcels imported into the UK? | All parcels below GBP 135 will now be subject to tariffs. | |
| 53 | What specific Nvidia chip sales is Trump’s team internally discussing permitting to China? | They are discussing permitting H200 chip sales to China. | |
| 54 | What is the price level of front-month TTF gas futures? | They fell 40% YTD to €30.12/MWh, the lowest since April 2025. | |
| 55 | What is the primary concern for the Eurozone economy, despite some regional improvement? | Germany continues to lag the Eurozone, highlighting the need for reforms. | |
| 56 | What is the objective of the India–Israel Free Trade Agreement (FTA) approach? | The FTA will be implemented in two phases to deliver early benefits. | |
| 57 | How much did UK gambling firms spend on advertising last year, according to estimates? | UK gambling firms spent an “astronomic” £2 billion on advertising last year. | |
| 58 | What is the goal of Canada-India trade talks recently launched? | The goal is doubling bilateral trade to USD 70 billion. | |
| 59 | What is the US Treasury Secretary hoping to finalize a deal with Beijing for by the Thanksgiving holiday? | Securing supplies of rare earths. | |
| 60 | What is the forecast for global real GDP growth in 2027? | Global real GDP growth is forecasted to rebound somewhat to 3.0% in 2027. |
Humanitarian Situation: Gaza and Vietnam
| Q NO. | Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | What UN official briefed the Security Council on the Middle East situation on November 24, 2025? | Ramiz Alakbarov, UN Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. | |
| 62 | What percentage of Gaza’s 250,000 buildings are damaged or destroyed? | Almost 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings are damaged or destroyed. | |
| 63 | How many people remain displaced in Gaza? | Over 1.7 million people remain displaced, often in overcrowded shelters. | |
| 64 | What specific sanitation crisis was highlighted in Gaza? | Sheikh Radwan pond has effectively become an open sewage tank, risking a public health catastrophe. | |
| 65 | What is critically needed to repair vital water and sanitation facilities? | Key materials must be permitted to enter immediately. | |
| 66 | How many metric tons of pre-positioned food, medicine, and shelter are awaiting entry into the region? | 190,000 metric tons of supplies are pre-positioned and awaiting entry. | |
| 67 | What positive development was reported regarding internet access in Gaza? | The restoration of fiber optic internet service provision in Gaza was reported. | |
| 68 | What campaign was launched by the UN and partners to reach 44,000 children? | An immunization campaign was launched. | |
| 69 | Which groups were recognized for their efforts in mediating and sustaining the Gaza ceasefire deal? | Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, and the United States were recognized for their exceptional mediation efforts. | |
| 70 | What crucial economic and cultural lifeline was decimated by settler attacks in the occupied West Bank? | The olive harvest. | |
| 71 | During what month did settler attacks on Palestinians reach the highest recorded number since UN monitoring began? | Settler attacks reached the highest number in October, during the olive-harvest season. | |
| 72 | What did Ramiz Alakbarov appeal to political and community leaders to cease? | He appealed to leaders to cease the incitement and incendiary language that fuels further extremism. | |
| 73 | What immediate measures are required to protect the Palestinian financial sector? | Measures to allow for the repatriation of excess shekel banknotes and renewal of correspondent banking agreements are urgently required. | |
| 74 | What are the estimated reconstruction costs for Gaza, according to the March RDNA estimate? | Approximately $53 billion US dollars. | |
| 75 | What political solution must all recovery efforts be anchored in? | The efforts must be anchored in a clear political horizon for realizing the two-State solution. | |
| 76 | What was the death toll from devastating rains and landslides in Central Vietnam? | The death toll reached 90 people. | |
| 77 | What was the estimated economic loss in Vietnam from the floods and landslides? | Economic losses exceeded $341 million in farmland and infrastructure. | |
| 78 | What is the status of the bodies of three hostages that have yet to be returned from Gaza? | The bodies of three hostages have yet to be returned, and families are waiting in agony. | |
| 79 | What were Israeli operations in the West Bank resulting in? | Deaths, destruction, and continued displacement of thousands, particularly from refugee camps. | |
| 80 | What critical needs must be addressed in Gaza beyond immediate physical needs? | Psycho-social needs, social cohesion, and justice issues must be addressed. |
Climate, Summits, and UK/India Domestic News
| Q NO. | Question | Answer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 81 | Where was the U.N. climate summit (COP30) held? | COP30 was held in Belém, Brazil. | |
| 82 | What was the major failure of COP30 regarding energy sources? | The summit ended without a decisive agreement or a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels. | |
| 83 | What critical forest-related goal was not secured at COP30? | There was no agreement on a roadmap to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. | |
| 84 | What did WWF’s Global Climate and Energy Lead call the COP30 summit? | A “carousel of illusions,” lacking substance due to "games played by the forces against climate ambition". | |
| 85 | What was the most significant formal success of COP30? | The approval of a just transition mechanism to strengthen cooperation and support developing nations. | |
| 86 | Which country boycotted the G20 summit in South Africa? | The United States boycotted the G20 meeting. | |
| 87 | What was the theme announced for India's upcoming AI Impact Summit in February 2026? | “Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya” (welfare and happiness for all). | |
| 88 | What key initiative did Indian PM Narendra Modi push for at the G20 summit? | A "Critical Minerals Initiative" to reduce dependence on China. | |
| 89 | Who was sworn in as the 53rd Chief Justice of India (CJI)? | Justice Surya Kant took the oath. | |
| 90 | What Bollywood legend passed away at the age of 89? | Veteran actor and icon of Indian cinema, Dharmendra, known as the "He-Man". | |
| 91 | What significant development occurred in the 1990 IAF personnel attack case? | A key eyewitness identified separatist leader Yasin Malik in a TADA court as one of the shooters. | |
| 92 | Who did the interim government of Bangladesh seek the extradition of? | Deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. | |
| 93 | Which Indian shuttler won the Australian Open title? | Lakshya Sen won the Australian Open trophy. | |
| 94 | What historic cricket victory did India achieve? | India defeated Nepal to lift the inaugural Women's T20 World Cup for the Blind. | |
| 95 | Who returned as India's vice-captain in cricket, replacing the injured Shubman Gill? | Rishabh Pant returned as vice-captain. | |
| 96 | What is the major disagreement regarding 6GHz spectrum allocation in India? | U.S. tech giants (Apple, Amazon, Meta, etc.) oppose Indian telcos (Jio, Vodafone Idea) who want the band allocated for mobile services instead of Wi-Fi. | |
| 97 | What measure is UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves expected to launch alongside lifting the two-child benefit limit? | Reeves is expected to launch a crackdown on benefit fraud. | |
| 98 | What are French winemakers battling for survival against? | A sales slump, Trump tariffs, and the worst harvest in 70 years. | |
| 99 | What is the UK critical minerals strategy designed to reduce? | Dependency on China. | |
| 100 | What did a study find that Artificial Intelligence (AI) does not understand? | AI does not understand puns, which researchers say underlines large language models’ poor grasp of humour, empathy, and cultural nuance. |
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