MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 23, 2025
- Record Thanksgiving Travel Amid Storms: A record number of Americans are traveling for the holiday, but a cross-country storm is causing widespread delays in flights and traffic, according to AAA projections and weather alerts.
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene Resigns: The controversial Republican congresswoman from Georgia announced her immediate resignation from the House, citing personal reasons amid ongoing party tensions.
- Florida Rep. Indicted for Fraud: U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick faces federal charges for allegedly stealing $5 million in disaster relief funds and diverting some to her 2021 campaign.
- Container Ship Fire in Los Angeles: A massive blaze on a cargo vessel at the Port of LA has been contained, but it highlights ongoing supply chain vulnerabilities; no injuries reported.
Government Shutdown Impact: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the recent 43-day government shutdown caused an estimated $11 billion permanent hit to the US economy, though he expressed optimism for future growth given easing interest rates and tax cuts.
Gun Violence and Political Threats: Upcoming political talk show discussions are focusing on the threats of political violence faced by US politicians, highlighting the tense national political climate.
- Trump Praises NYC Mayor-Elect Zohran Mamdani: In a surprise Oval Office meeting, President Trump lauded the Democratic socialist victor despite past barbs, calling him a "fighter from Queens" and downplaying Mamdani's "fascist" label for Trump.
- Trump Terminates Somali Migrant Protections: The administration announced immediate end to temporary legal status for thousands of Somali refugees in Minnesota, sparking backlash from Democrats and immigrant advocates.
- Judges Block Trump's Grant Cuts to Cities: Federal courts halted the administration's attempt to impose new conditions on millions in aid to Democratic-led areas, ruling it an overreach on congressional authority.
- Trump Nominates Project 2025 Architect to Budget Role: Russ Vought, a key contributor to the conservative blueprint, was tapped to lead the Office of Management and Budget, raising alarms about bypassing Senate oversight.
- California Emerges as 2025 Political Flashpoint: Redistricting and Gov. Gavin Newsom's anti-Trump stance have thrust the blue state into national debates, boosting Newsom's approval amid policy clashes.
Ukraine Peace Talks: US President Donald Trump has issued a warning to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to cooperate with the ongoing US-Ukraine peace talks in Geneva regarding a draft 28-point plan to end the war.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the latest meeting with a Ukrainian delegation as the "best so far." Republican Tariff-Funded Checks: Key Republicans are reportedly opposing President Trump's proposal for $2,000 tariff-funded rebate checks next year, citing the nation's high deficit and $38 trillion national debt as making the proposal difficult to support.
- Israeli Airstrike Hits Beirut Suburbs: In the first such attack since June, Israel targeted Hezbollah sites in southern Beirut, killing several and escalating tensions amid fragile regional ceasefires.
- Nigeria School Abduction: 50 Children Escape: Of 303 students kidnapped from a Catholic school in Niger state, 50 have fled captors and reunited with families, but the rest remain missing in a brazen attack.
- Brazil Orders Bolsonaro's Arrest: Supreme Court issued a warrant for the ex-president over his role in a 2023 coup bid, with judges claiming he planned to flee as sentencing loomed.
- Geneva Talks on Ukraine Amid U.S. Peace Pushback: European leaders resist Trump's proposed Ukraine settlement at UN-hosted discussions, urging stronger sanctions on Russia.
- Congo Nostalgia for Mobutu Dictatorship: A new Kinshasa museum exhibit glorifying the kleptocratic ruler draws crowds, reflecting discontent with current instability.
Israel Strikes in Lebanon: Israel carried out a strike in Beirut, targeting and reportedly killing the Hezbollah chief of staff.
This marks the first strike on the Lebanese capital in months, with Israel warning the Iran-backed group against rearming. Bangladesh Seeks Extradition: The interim government of Bangladesh sent a formal letter to India seeking the extradition of deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina following her recent death sentence by the International Crimes Tribunal.
G20 Summit Conclusions: The G20 Leaders' Summit in South Africa concluded, with a focus on building global resilience and pushing for stronger developing nation representation in Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs).
Leaders also pledged constructive talks on a global minimum tax and digital levy issues. Japan Missile Deployment: Japan is reportedly pressing ahead with missile deployment near Taiwan amid continued tensions with China.
- Trump Admin's "Compact for Academic Excellence" Slammed: Legal scholars across ideologies warn colleges against the proposed federal pact, calling it unconstitutional and a threat to free speech and academic freedom.
- U.S. Dept. of Ed Shifts Functions to Other Agencies: Six programs, including elementary education oversight, are being transferred amid downsizing efforts, drawing lawsuits over legality.
- AI's Growing Role in CTE Classrooms: Teachers report using AI tools to enhance career-tech lessons, from simulations to personalized projects, but worry about equity gaps.
- NIT Karnataka's 23rd Convocation: 1,995 graduates received degrees; Volvo exec Kamal Bali urged innovation in sustainable tech during the Mangaluru ceremony.
Graduate Nursing Loan Caps: A U.S. Congresswoman released a statement strongly opposing the Department of Education's new classification of graduate nursing degrees on a lower level than other medical degrees in the federal student loan system, arguing it undervalues nurses.
Higher Education Budget Cuts: A report highlighted how budget cuts are reshaping higher education, with states like Virginia and Washington trimming funds, leading to fewer labs, higher tuition for students, and increased recruitment of out-of-state students.
Indian Students and US Uncertainty: Indian students are reportedly weighing US higher education amidst growing uncertainty, fueled by potential changes to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) work authorization and tightening US visa and hiring norms, despite a rise in overall enrollment driven by OPT extensions.
- Hiring Slows Sharply Amid Trump Policy Uncertainty: U.S. job growth hit a four-month low in November, with firms pausing investments due to tariff and tax overhaul fears, per Fed data.
- Consumer Confidence Plunges to Near-Record Low: The University of Michigan index fell to 51 in November, driven by high prices and gloomy personal finance outlooks.
- AI Boom Masks Broader Weakness: Tech investments propel growth, but manufacturing, construction, and public sectors cut jobs; unemployment rises as sentiment slumps.
- Euro Area GDP Beats Expectations: Q3 growth hit 0.2%, led by France and Spain; IMF forecasts medium-term global slowdown but upgrades EU outlook to 1.4% for 2025.
IMF on Global Growth: IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, speaking at the G20 Summit, noted that the global economy is doing "better than we feared, but worse than we need," citing stubbornly low growth and exceptionally high debt.
AI and Labor Market: The IMF's remarks also focused on AI's potential to reverse slow productivity growth but warned that AI is like a "tsunami hitting the labor market," with potentially 60% of jobs in advanced economies affected.
G20 & Global Tax: G20 leaders called for a new OECD framework as they pledged constructive talks on global minimum tax and digital levy issues.
- Trump Eyes Nvidia H200 Chip Sales to China: Amid U.S.-China thaw, the administration may lift export bans on advanced AI hardware, boosting Nvidia's prospects.
- Micron Stock Rebounds After AI Selloff: Shares rose 2.9% to $207 amid volatility, with analysts bullish on HBM demand; Q1 FY26 earnings set for Dec. 17.
- AI-Driven Layoffs Hit 100K+ in 2025: Over 17,000 jobs cut due to automation in first nine months, though Yale study says broader disruption is years away.
- Norm AI Secures $50M for Legal Tech: Blackstone-backed startup launches AI-native law firm targeting finance clients, highlighting automation in compliance.
- Molecular Antennas Power Insulating Nanoparticles: Breakthrough enables ultra-pure electricity in nanomaterials, potentially revolutionizing energy-efficient tech.
OpenAI-Foxconn Collaboration: OpenAI and Foxconn announced a new collaboration aimed at accelerating US-based manufacturing of next-generation AI infrastructure hardware, focusing on co-designing advanced data center systems and strengthening domestic supply chains.
Starlink's "Huge Hurdle": A technology expert discussed what they called a "huge hurdle" for Starlink's expansion: the need to overcome the requirement for users to carry a bulky external terminal. Innovations are being explored to allow internet delivery directly to personal devices, turning satellites into "cell towers in space."
- Even Light Smoking Doubles Heart Risks: A review of long-term studies shows 1-2 cigarettes daily sharply raises heart failure and early death odds.
- Microplastics Accelerate Artery Disease, Especially in Men: New research links the particles in blood vessels to plaque buildup, with males at higher vulnerability.
- Colchicine Cuts Heart Attack Risk: The affordable gout drug reduced cardiovascular events by up to 30% in trials of 23,000 patients with heart disease.
- Heat Exposure in Pregnancy Tied to Preterm Birth: Emory study finds high temperatures trigger biological changes in moms, increasing delivery risks.
- Estrogen Boosts Learning via Dopamine: Rat studies reveal the hormone enhances reward signals in the brain, explaining faster learning during high-estrogen phases.
Student Loan Caps for Doctors: Medical educators and health professionals warn that new federal student loan caps could make it more expensive to become a doctor, potentially exacerbating physician shortages nationwide, especially in underserved rural areas.
Glioblastoma Drug Research: A common blood pressure drug, Hydralazine, is being studied for its potential to help slow the growth of glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Bone Density Awareness: New health information is being released to educate the public on the importance of bone density scans for detecting and managing osteoporosis.
- Italy Wins Davis Cup Thriller: Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini clinched the title for Italy over Spain in Bologna, marking their first championship in decades.
- Saskatchewan Roughriders Claim Grey Cup: The CFL champs edged Montreal 25-17 for their fifth title, powered by a dominant defense in Regina.
- Lakers Near Full Strength vs. Injury-Hit Jazz: LeBron James and Luka Dončić are available as LA eyes a win in Salt Lake City against a depleted Utah squad.
- LaMelo Ball Returns for Hornets vs. Hawks: The star guard shakes off an ankle tweak, providing a lift to Charlotte's banged-up roster in Atlanta.
- Mikko Rantanen Ejected for Boarding Hit: The Avalanche forward drew a five-minute major and misconduct for a dangerous check on Calgary's Matt Coronato.
Sumo Breakthrough: Ukrainian-born wrestler Danylo Yavhusishyn (Aonishiki Arata) became the first from his country to win an elite-level sumo championship in Japan by taking the Kyushu tournament.
Deaflympics Impact: A report highlighted how Ukrainian athletes preparing for the Deaflympics are being heavily impacted by the war with Russia, forcing repeated changes to training locations, power outages, and mental exhaustion.
