Politics and International Relations

• An escalating diplomatic crisis between China and Japan has been reported, primarily fueled by tensions over Taiwan. This has led to military posturing, travel advisories, and the cancellation of cultural events between the two nations.
• The International Criminal Court (ICC) Appeals Chamber has rejected an appeal from former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, upholding the decision to keep him in custody.
• In the United States, one National Guard member died following a shooting near the White House. The alleged shooter, an Afghan national, is reportedly under investigation for an act of terrorism.
• The UN human rights office expressed alarm over the "apparent summary execution" of two Palestinian men by Israeli border police in the West Bank.
• The United Nations has warned that Myanmar's planned elections are likely to deepen repression and instability within the country.
• The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Belarus met with the UNHCR Representative to discuss ongoing cooperation and the migrant situation on the country's western border with the European Union.
• Canada's Minister of International Trade held discussions with Costa Rica's Minister of Foreign Trade, noting significant growth in bilateral trade and progress in Costa Rica's accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
• The African Union Commission marked Mauritania's Independence Day and condemned a recent military coup d'état in Guinea Bissau.

Economy and Finance

• The Governor of Bank Indonesia indicated a "dim" global economic outlook for 2026-2027, attributing it to US protectionist policies, slowing growth in major economies like the US and China, high government debt in developed nations, and vulnerabilities in the global financial system.
• The World Economic Forum has issued a warning regarding a potential "triple bubble" in cryptocurrencies, artificial intelligence (AI) investments, and global debt, raising concerns about a possible "triple burst" and its economic repercussions.
• Despite some positive economic indicators, consumer confidence in various regions remains low, with higher prices impacting consumer sentiment.
• Business leaders in the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS), comprising Cambodia, China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam, have urged deeper economic cooperation to navigate global economic volatility and climate challenges.
• India and the UAE reported that their bilateral trade has surpassed $100 billion, strengthening the UAE's position as a key trading partner for India. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) projects a 6.6% GDP growth for India in FY 2025-26, supported by structural reforms and domestic demand.

Science & Technology

• The NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) satellite, launched in July, has officially entered its science operations phase. This earth observation satellite will provide all-weather, day-and-night data crucial for applications in agriculture, forestry, geo-sciences, and oceanic studies.
• The UK has launched the SpeQtre satellite to rigorously test "unhackable" quantum communication technology from orbit. This initiative aims to develop secure data transmission methods resistant to future cyber-attacks, including those from advanced quantum computers.
• Penn State scientists have successfully discovered seven new ceramic materials by simply removing oxygen, potentially opening new avenues for material science.
• The Trump administration has introduced the "Genesis Mission," a new initiative designed to integrate national laboratories, artificial intelligence, and quantum technology to accelerate scientific breakthroughs, particularly in the energy sector.
• Researchers at the University of Sydney have made a significant advancement by taming "noisy" light in microchip-scale lasers, a breakthrough that could lead to next-generation GPS, quantum machines, and enhanced communication technologies.
• India announced plans to open its civil nuclear power sector to private firms to boost capacity and innovation.

Social Welfare

• The UN health agency has warned of a global surge in measles cases, with an estimated 30 million children missing essential vaccinations.
• Following mass abductions in Nigeria, including 26 female students, authorities have been urged to take decisive and lawful measures to address the crisis.
• The UK government's proposed sweeping cuts to disability welfare, aimed at pushing disabled individuals into employment, have drawn criticism, especially as the "Access to Work" program is reportedly being dismantled.
• The World Food Programme (WFP) has provided emergency food assistance to nearly 1,900 families affected by a devastating fire in the Korail slum in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Awards and Appointments

• JTC Private Office was honored as 'Family Office Service Provider of the Year' at the prestigious 2025 Spear's Awards.
• Amitabh Kant, former G20 Sherpa of India, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the online higher education platform upGrad.
• In Canada, Scott R. Campbell, K.C., has been appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia.
• A bust of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was unveiled at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris on Constitution Day, recognizing his global legacy in democracy, education, and social justice.

Disasters and Environment

• A deadly fire in a high-rise residential complex in Hong Kong has resulted in a rising death toll.
• Cyclone 'Ditwah' has formed over the Bay of Bengal and is projected to make landfall on the Tamil Nadu-Andhra-Puducherry coast by November 30, prompting orange alerts and emergency preparedness.
• A 6.6 magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sumatra Island.

Sports (Non-Cricket)

• Ahmedabad is set to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games.
• India secured a 4-3 victory against Malaysia in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament.
• Arsenal defeated Bayern Munich for the first time in 10 years, securing the top spot in their Champions League group.