MORNING NEWS UPDATE: NOVEMBER 28, 2025
- National Guard Shooting Near White House: An Afghan national is suspected in the shooting of three National Guard members near the White House, with two victims remaining in critical condition. The incident has heightened security concerns in the capital.
- Major Winter Storm Across Midwest: Blizzard warnings and winter weather advisories stretch from Montana to Indiana, with up to 14 inches of snow expected in eastern Iowa and northern Illinois, causing widespread travel disruptions.
- Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade Highlights: The 98th parade featured massive floats and performances, drawing millions despite chilly weather, symbolizing a return to post-pandemic holiday traditions.
National Guard Member Dies in DC Shooting: One of the two West Virginia National Guard members critically wounded in a shooting near the White House on Wednesday has died.
The suspected shooter is an Afghan national who authorities say had ties to the CIA's efforts in Afghanistan. FBI Widens DC Shooting Investigation: The FBI is expanding its probe into the shooting, searching multiple properties linked to the suspect and characterizing the ongoing investigation as one of terrorism.
Black Friday Shopping Kicks Off: Thousands of shoppers are flocking to stores and malls across the country to take advantage of Black Friday deals, marking the official start of the holiday retail season.
Mark Kelly Investigation Continues: The US Defense Secretary has ordered an investigation into Arizona Senator Mark Kelly and other Democrats over "potentially unlawful comments" made in a social media video, escalating the political row.
- Revised Ukraine Peace Proposal: A controversial 28-point plan drafted with Russia was updated in Geneva talks involving U.S., Ukrainian, and European officials; Zelenskyy signals openness to territorial concessions and force reductions.
- Pentagon Investigates Sen. Mark Kelly: The probe follows a video of Democrats, including Kelly, urging service members to refuse "illegal orders," amid tensions over potential military actions under the Trump administration.
- Incoming NYC Mayor's Meeting with Trump: The two Queens natives, political opposites, held a surprisingly cordial discussion, easing New Yorkers' concerns about federal-city relations.
Trump Calls for Review of Afghan Immigrants: Following the DC shooting, President Trump has called for a re-examination of all Afghan immigrants who entered the US during the previous administration and vowed to "permanently pause migration from all third world countries."
Administration Ends World AIDS Day Commemoration: The State Department has reportedly instructed employees and grant recipients not to use federal funding or public messaging to commemorate World AIDS Day (Dec.
1st), ending a decades-long tradition. Tax Cuts Debate Continues: Minnesota Congressman Pete Stauber (R) touted the recent tax cuts as the "biggest break for working-class Americans EVER," while Democrats argue most of the benefits went to the wealthy.
Trump Boycott and South Africa: South Africa is pushing back against President Trump's decision to bar it from G20 events in the U.S. next year, a measure described as "punitive."
- Trump's Ukraine Plan Sparks European Backlash: European leaders were blindsided by the U.S. 28-point proposal to end the war, prompting urgent diplomacy to influence outcomes and prevent unilateral concessions.
- Nord Stream Sabotage Suspect Detained: German authorities arrested a Ukrainian man accused of damaging the pipelines in 2022, escalating tensions in the ongoing investigation into the attack.
- Cyclone Ditwah Hits Sri Lanka, Heads to India: The storm has caused havoc in Sri Lanka and is forecast to make landfall in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh by November 30, prompting evacuations and alerts.
Hong Kong Fire Death Toll Rises: Rescue operations are winding down after a massive fire engulfed an apartment complex in Hong Kong, with the death toll now reaching at least 94 and scores more still missing.
Ukraine Peace Deal Discussion: Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the draft peace plan discussed by the US and Ukraine could be a basis for future negotiations, but he insisted that Ukraine would have to surrender territory.
Venezuela Bans Airlines Amid US Tensions: Venezuela has banned six international airlines, accusing them of "state terrorism," after the carriers suspended flights following a warning from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Israel-Palestinian Conflict: An American teenager held in Israeli custody in the West Bank for nine months was released and reunited with his family.
Separately, Israeli forces killed Palestinian men in Jenin after they appeared to surrender.
- Student Loan Forgiveness Resumes: The U.S. Department of Education has restarted processing applications, with eligible borrowers under income-driven plans beginning to see discharges after reaching payment milestones.
- Texas Curriculum Adoption Faces Pushback: Publishers encountered resistance over SEL, CRT, and climate topics during the 2025 K-12 materials approval, impacting the second-largest U.S. market.
- Immigrant Student Anxiety Rises: A national survey reveals increased absences and stress among students from immigrant families due to policy uncertainties and community fears.
Higher Ed Must Be Collaborative, Not Competitive: A new report suggests that higher education must move toward greater collaboration with employers, community colleges, and training partners to address the skills gap and make career advancement truly accessible.
UAH Students Win International Technology Challenges: University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) students secured major victories in the 2025 International CanSat and University Rover Challenges, highlighting student success in aerospace and robotics technology.
- India's GDP Surges 8.2% in Q2: Real GDP growth for July-September 2025-26 outpaced last year's 5.6%, driven by easing inflation and strong domestic demand, per official data.
- China's Fixed-Asset Investment Declines: First-10-months investment fell 1.7% year-over-year, signaling economic challenges amid weaker retail and industrial output.
- U.S. Wholesale Inflation Heats Up: September data showed rising producer prices, complicating the economic picture post-government shutdown and fueling debates on rate cuts.
Concerns Over AI Investment Bubble: As tech companies pour hundreds of billions of dollars into data centers for artificial intelligence, concerns are growing that the industry is inflating a financial bubble that could negatively impact the broader economy.
Semiconductor Investment in Canada: The Canadian government announced a significant federal investment of up to $210 million to expand semiconductor packaging and commercialization capabilities at IBM Canada's Bromont facility and C2MI.
Impact of Tax Bill on Charitable Giving: Experts are debating whether middle-class donors, incentivized by a new $1,000 deduction, can make up the difference in charitable giving as the new tax bill is expected to reduce incentives for wealthy donors.
- Turkmenistan Legalizes Crypto Assets: A new law regulates digital assets, including licenses for exchanges and mining, marking a shift toward blockchain integration in the region.
- CME Group Outage Halts Global Trading: The world's largest exchange operator faced a multi-hour disruption, freezing futures in stocks, bonds, commodities, and currencies.
- Baidu Emerges as China's AI Chip Leader: The tech giant is filling the Nvidia gap with domestic processors, boosting China's self-reliance in AI hardware amid U.S. restrictions.
MIT Study on AI Job Replacement: A new MIT review of workplace automation suggests that 12% of jobs now have a high probability of being replaced by AI tools, with routine-heavy roles in finance, healthcare, and back-office functions being hit the hardest.
Global AI Regulation Fragmenting: Policy discussions continue over how to balance AI innovation with regulatory control as state laws in the U.S. and key provisions of the EU's AI Act take effect, creating a fragmented global regulatory landscape.
European Space Agency Boosts Budget: The European Space Agency (ESA) has increased its budget in an effort to accelerate its programs and catch up in the global space race.
- Ultra-Processed Foods Linked to 12 Health Issues: A major review ties high consumption to obesity, cancer, diabetes, and more, urging global dietary shifts as these foods proliferate.
- Mediterranean Diet Prevents Constipation in Aging: Long-term studies show plant-based and Mediterranean eating lowers chronic risks in adults, beyond just fiber intake.
- Mpox Cases Surge in Africa: Over 14,000 confirmed cases, mostly in the Democratic Republic of Congo, prompt WHO emergency vaccine listings and calls for accelerated response.
End of World AIDS Day Commemoration: The biggest health-related political story is the reported end of the U.S. government's public commemoration of World AIDS Day.
Vaccine Opt-Out Ruling in West Virginia: A judge in West Virginia has ruled that parents can cite religious beliefs to opt out of school vaccine requirements for their children.
Baby Formula Contamination Warning: Tests are reportedly showing that ByHeart baby formula from all lots may be contaminated with botulism bacteria, prompting public health concerns.
- Cowboys Edge Chiefs 31-28 on Thanksgiving: Dak Prescott threw for 320 yards and two TDs in a thrilling NFL upset, overcoming Patrick Mahomes' late heroics.
- No. 4 Texas Upsets No. 2 South Carolina: A last-second shot in women's basketball gives Texas a massive Top-25 victory, shaking up the rankings.
- No. 18 Michigan Stuns Top-25 Foe: The Wolverines secure their biggest win over a ranked team, boosting momentum ahead of Ohio State clash.
Major Upsets at Syed Modi Tournament: Sixteen-year-old Tanvi Sharma stunned former world champion Nozomi Okuhara in a major upset at the Syed Modi tournament.
In another surprise, H.S. Prannoy was beaten by his 19-year-old compatriot, S Sankar Muthusamy. College Football Rivalry Trophies: Features are running on the unique and sometimes bizarre rivalry trophies of college football as the season winds down and rivalry week concludes.
LSU Fires Football Coach: LSU confirmed that it has fired head football coach Brian Kelly "without cause" and will owe him his full $54 million buyout.
