AMERICA
Global and Domestic Crises: Trump’s Cabinet, Haiti Violence, and Educational Controversies
1. Trump’s Cabinet Criticized as Incompetent
Accusations of ineptitude and stupidity have been levelled against Donald Trump’s cabinet candidates. As individuals like Joe Rogan develop political clout despite their inexperience, the selections are negatively compared to those of past administrations. Critics refer to Trump’s divisive decisions and the current political climate in the US to support their claim that intelligence is no longer a top concern for leadership. Many people believe that Trump has lowered the bar for high office, even though they voted for him.
2. UN Evacuates Staff Amid Rising Gang Violence in Haiti
Because of the increasing gang violence in Port-au-Prince, the UN has evacuated its employees. International organisations and embassies have evacuated staff due to the escalation of clashes between gangs, police, and machete-wielding people. Evacuees were taken to safer areas by a UN chopper, and US diplomats were also evacuated. Because to the continuous firing, the capital’s airport is still closed.
3. Pete Hegseth’s Controversial Call for ‘Educational Insurgency’
Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, has provoked criticism for advocating for a “educational insurgency” against American schools. His remarks, which support upending established educational structures, have sparked criticism from some who view them as polarising. Conservatives view Hegseth’s comments as part of a larger campaign against what they see as liberal bias in educational institutions. The dispute has fuelled ongoing discussions about U.S. education policy.
ASIA
Political Tensions, Protests, and International Incidents Shake Asia and Beyond
1. Marcos Responds to Duterte’s Assassination Threat
Vice President Sara Duterte allegedly ordered an assassin to kill him, his wife, and the speaker of the parliament if she were slain. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. denounced this threat. Marcos described the threat as “troubling” and cautioned that such illegal schemes must not be disregarded. Since their partnership in the 2022 election, the two leaders’ political differences have gotten worse.
2. One Killed, Dozens Injured in Imran Khan Supporter Protest
Conflicts between security personnel and supporters of imprisoned former Prime Minister Imran Khan near Islamabad resulted in at least one police officer being murdered and numerous more injured. Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party is leading the demonstration, which is a component of a march calling for his release. As violence broke out, including police vehicle burning, authorities enforced a security lockdown.
3. Taiwan Reports Sighting of Chinese Balloon Near Island
The first such incident since April occurred on November 25, 2024, when Taiwan’s defense ministry reported seeing a Chinese balloon over the sea northwest of the island. At 6:21 p.m. (10:21 GMT), the balloon was spotted 111 kilometers from Keelung City and at a height of 33,000 feet. The balloon was one of seven warships and 12 Chinese military planes spotted in the Taiwan area in the last 24 hours.
4. TotalEnergies Halts Investments in Adani Group Amid Bribery Scandal
Due to accusations of bribery against Gautam Adani, the chairman of the Adani Group, TotalEnergies has suspended its investments in the company. Adani and others are charged in the US indictment with bribing the government for $265 million in order to obtain contracts. Adani Green Energy’s 20% shareholder, TotalEnergies, stressed that it would not make any more investments until the charges were settled. Adani calls the accusations “baseless” and refutes them.
 MENA
Ongoing Conflicts, Displacement, and Escalating Tensions Across the Middle East
1. Flooding in Gaza Worsens Displacement Crisis
About 10,000 tents have been damaged or destroyed in Gaza’s tent camps for displaced Palestinians due to heavy rainfall. The storm has exacerbated the pain of those who have already endured 13 months of conflict. Since their shelters were washed away, many displaced families who have previously experienced several uprootings now face additional hardship. Locals report dire circumstances, with kids drenched and no shelter from the weather.
2. Israel Intensifies Attacks on Lebanon Amid Ceasefire Talks
At least 12 persons were murdered on November 25, 2024, by Israeli airstrikes that targeted Tyre and Beirut in Lebanon. Over 3,700 Lebanese have been killed in the two-month conflict that includes the attacks. Israel’s envoy to the United States said that a ceasefire agreement with Hezbollah might be struck soon despite the fighting. Negotiations are still going on, though.
3. Deadliest Year for Aid Workers: 2024
The previous record of 280 assistance workers killed in 2023 was surpassed in 2024 with a record 281 aid workers killed in 19 nations. With 175 fatalities in Gaza and 3 in the West Bank, Palestine accounted for over two-thirds of these deaths. Israeli bombings have killed more than 330 aid workers in Gaza since October 2023. In conflict areas, aid workers continue to offer vital assistance by bringing in necessities like food, shelter, and medical attention.
4. Khamenei Calls for Netanyahu’s Death Sentence
The ICC’s arrest order for Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu was deemed inadequate by Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who demanded that he be executed. Netanyahu and former Defence Minister Gallant were charged by the ICC with war crimes in Gaza. Israeli activities were denounced as war crimes by Khamenei, who also promised that Iran will eventually overthrow the “Zionist regime.” The ICC has the authority to inflict prison sentences but not death sentences.
 EUROPE
Key Global Events: Migrant Tragedy, Russia-Ukraine War, G7 Summit, and EU Labelling Issues
1. Migrant Shipwreck Off Samos Claims Eight Lives
A shipwreck off the Greek island of Samos drowned at least eight migrants, including six children. 36 survivors and three others were rescued from a rocky location by the Greek Coast Guard. An NGO informed authorities that there were approximately fifty persons on board. This month, there have been two shipwrecks in the Aegean Sea.
2. Russia-Ukraine War: Day 1,005 Key Events
Ukrainian air defences knocked down 50 Russian drones on the 1,005th day of the war, while Russian forces intercepted Ukrainian missiles in Kursk. Fires started by drone debris struck Kaluga, and Russia arrested a British mercenary near Kursk. As both sides get ready for a challenging winter, Ukraine exhibited missile wreckage from a Russian strike on Dnipro.
3. G7 Summit in Italy Focuses on Middle East and Ukraine
On November 25, 2024, G7 foreign ministers met in Fiuggi, Italy, under strict security, to discuss Ukraine and the Middle East. Arab leaders participated in the summit and discussed a truce in Gaza and Lebanon. Italy stated that it would be open to taking on a more significant peacekeeping role. The International Criminal Court’s arrest warrants for Israeli leaders caused tensions to rise.
4. EU Food Labelling Confusion Affects Consumers
According to a 2024 European Court of Auditors study, labels that are unclear and contradictory are the result of out-of-date EU food labelling regulations that haven’t modified since 2011. Consumer uncertainty has increased as a result of competing voluntary programs like Keyhole and Nutri-Score. In an effort to combat false claims and increase openness, consumer advocacy organisations and EU authorities are calling for a more consistent and transparent labelling system.
