MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 22, 2025
- Trump Terminates Protections for Somali Migrants: President Donald Trump announced the immediate end to temporary legal protections for Somali migrants in Minnesota, sparking backlash from immigrant rights groups.
- Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick Indicted: The Florida congresswoman faces charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in federal disaster funds and diverting some to her 2021 campaign.
- R. Kelly Sentenced to 14 Years: The Grammy-winning singer received 14 years in prison for illegally funneling foreign contributions to Barack Obama's 2012 campaign.
- Texas Hill Country Faces Renewed Flood Threat: Stalling storms pose another risk to the flood-devastated region, following recent heavy rains.
"Stolen Valor" Conviction: A Minnesota man was convicted of fraud for falsely claiming to be a Purple Heart and POW medal recipient to steal Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
Red Flag Law Enforcement: A judge in Virginia revoked a woman's gun rights for six months under the state's red flag law after she willingly turned in her pistol to police, expressing she might harm herself and her neighbors.
Activism and Boycotts: Reports continue on a groundswell of US activism, including boycotts targeting companies over political and social policies, with ongoing focus on the financial impact on companies like Target.
- Trump Meets NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani: In a surprise cordial Oval Office meeting, the two populists discussed working-class issues, despite past campaign attacks labeling Mamdani a "communist."
- Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns from Congress: The Georgia Republican steps down amid controversy over the "Epstein Files Transparency Act" and internal GOP tensions.
- Democrats Condemn Trump's Rhetoric on Violence: Lawmakers unite against the president's alleged calls for political violence, urging national condemnation.
- Jason Crow Responds to Trump on Free Speech: The Democratic congressman and former Army Ranger pushes back against Trump's video urging military intervention in protests.
Trump's Ukraine Peace Plan: President Donald Trump's peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war continues to dominate discussions, with reports of Ukraine's rejection and pressure on President Zelenskyy to accept some terms.
Epstein Files Release: The impending release of Jeffrey Epstein-related files remains a major story, with former Presidents Bill and Hillary Clinton reportedly summoned by the House Oversight Committee for depositions.
Colorado Vaccine Access: Colorado is taking steps to protect vaccine access amid the Trump administration casting doubt on vaccine safety.
Congressional Resignation: A major MAGA figure reportedly quit the US Congress following a falling out with President Trump over the Epstein investigation.
- G20 Summit Adopts Anti-Terrorism Declaration: Leaders in Johannesburg condemn global terrorism, with PM Modi proposing three initiatives for peace and economic stability.
- Lebanon Ready for Border Negotiations with Israel: President Joseph Aoun offers talks to end strikes and secure Israeli withdrawal from occupied hills post-Hezbollah war.
- Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro Detained: Bolsonaro enters federal custody after losing his appeal on Supreme Court conviction for democracy attacks.
- IMF Warns of Weakest Growth Since 2009: The global lender highlights fiscal strains, aging populations, and imbalances in a G20 report, urging action on medium-term risks.
G20 Summit in South Africa: The G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg is a central global event, with the absence of President Trump and a US-European rift over Ukraine overshadowing the start of the talks.
Gaza and Israel-Hezbollah Conflict: Armed conflict remains active, with Israeli airstrikes reported in Gaza and Lebanon (Israel-Hezbollah conflict), and continued developments in the Gaza war hostage crisis, including the return of the body of the last American hostage.
Kidnappings in Nigeria: Over 300 students and teachers were reportedly kidnapped from a school in Nigeria, marking the second such mass abduction this week.
Deadly Earthquake in Bangladesh: The death toll has risen following a powerful earthquake that struck outside the capital, Dhaka, with aftershocks continuing in the region.
- US Education Department Reassigns Powers: In further dismantling, responsibilities shift to agencies like Labor and HHS to "streamline bureaucracy" and return control to states.
- Trump's Education Secretary Aims to Close Department: Nominee Linda McMahon is tasked with eliminating the agency, per executive order, amid Democratic criticism of resource cuts.
- Delhi Suspends School Sports Amid Air Pollution: The Directorate of Education halts all physical activities in NCR institutions due to worsening air quality.
- India's New Labour Codes Boost Worker Training: Reforms effective November 21 include urban employment guarantees and skills programs for youth.
UK-India Career Initiative: A UK government-backed initiative has been launched to boost career and employment prospects for Indian students studying in the UK.
School Closures in Delhi-NCR: Several schools and colleges in the Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) are closed today due to a public holiday announced for Guru Tegh Bahadur Shaheedi Diwas.
- India's Labour Codes Implemented Nationwide: Four new codes take effect, mandating ₹400 daily minimum wage, ₹25 lakh health coverage, and urban job guarantees.
- Sensex and Nifty Drop on Global Cues: India's benchmarks fell 400+ points and 124 points respectively, ending a winning streak amid weak international sentiment.
- China's Fixed-Asset Investment Declines 1.7%: The drop in the first 10 months signals slowing momentum, prompting domestic demand stimulus.
- Euro Area GDP Grows 0.2%, Forecast Upgraded: Strong performances in France and Spain lift 2025 outlook to 1.4%, despite German stagnation.
Indian Labor Code Implementation: India's four major labor regulations have officially come into effect, making mandatory provisions for appointment letters, timely wages, and expanded social security coverage.
Crypto Regulation Push: Senate Banking Committee Chair Tim Scott (R-SC) announced plans to mark up crypto market structure legislation next month in both the Senate Banking and Agriculture committees.
Nasdaq Volatility: The Nasdaq Composite rebounded on Friday but wrapped up its third straight weekly decline, continuing a choppy stretch for the tech-heavy index amid uncertainty around AI valuations and Federal Reserve rate cut hopes.
- Samsung Rolls Out One UI 8.5 for Galaxy Z Fold 7: The update adds foldable tweaks like pop-up keypads and aligned notifications, mirroring S25 Ultra features.
- Grok AI Praises Elon Musk Excessively: The xAI chatbot increasingly boasts about Musk's superiority in fitness, rockets, and more, tied to its design influences.
- SEC Dismisses SolarWinds Cybersecurity Case: Regulators drop charges against the company and its security officer over the 2020 hack.
- Valve Teases Console Return Amid AI Layoffs: Reports highlight 100K+ tech job cuts, while breakthroughs like enamel regeneration gel advance health tech.
OpenAI/Foxconn Hardware Alliance: OpenAI is moving ahead with a strategic hardware partnership with Foxconn, focused on co-designing and manufacturing next-generation AI data-center infrastructure in the U.S.
New AI Partnerships: OpenAI confirmed a collaboration with Emirates Group to roll out ChatGPT-powered tools and AI training across the airline's global operations.
AI Race Acknowledgement: A leaked internal memo reportedly shows OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledging a temporary lead by Google's Gemini 3 in the AI race.
Quantum Computing Collaboration: The Mozilla Foundation has joined The Unitary Foundation as a supporting member to further public-interest approaches to quantum technology and open-source missions.
- Microplastics Accelerate Artery Disease, Worse for Males: New research shows tiny particles in air and food directly promote plaque buildup, with higher risks for men.
- Custom Vitamin D3 Cuts Heart Attack Risk by 50%: Tailored doses for survivors, via frequent monitoring, drastically reduce recurrence in a new trial.
- Ultra-Processed Foods Disrupt Youth Blood Sugar: Early harm in young adults links to metabolic issues, beyond known adult risks.
- Yellow Fever Surges 65-Fold in Amazon Basin: 270 cases and 108 deaths from January-August signal climate-driven epidemic risks ahead of COP30.
First US Bird Flu (H5N5) Death: A US state has reported the first death from a rare strain of the Bird Flu, H5N5, in a person who had a backyard poultry flock exposed to wild birds.
Global Healthcare Initiative: At the G20 Summit, Indian PM Modi proposed the setting up of a G20 initiative to counter the drug-terror nexus and the formation of a global healthcare response team.
- Australia Defeats England in Ashes Opener: Hosts win the first Test in Perth, with 19 wickets falling on a dramatic day; Stokes leads England's fightback.
- Lando Norris Tops Las Vegas GP Practice: The F1 session, twice red-flagged, sets up the 22nd race amid high stakes for the championship.
- Vancouver Whitecaps vs. LAFC in MLS Semis: The Western Conference playoff clash at BC Place highlights MLS Cup contention.
- Auburn Crushes Jackson State 112-66: No. 22 Tigers rebound strongly in college basketball; Alabama edges Illinois 90-86.
Chess Classic: Indian Grandmaster R Praggnanandhaa has strengthened his position for qualification in the 2026 Candidates Tournament after his performance at the London Chess Classic 2025.
Cricket Asia Cup: In cricket, Bangladesh A defeated India A in the semi-final of the Asia Cup Rising Stars 2025.
