Catamist News

CME Malfunction Halts Black Friday Trading

A major technical malfunction at CME Group on Black Friday, November 28, 2025, brought trading to a standstill across critical foreign exchange, commodities, and stock futures markets, causing widespread uncertainty. This significant disruption to one of the world's largest derivatives marketplaces underscored the fragility of interconnected electronic trading systems and immediately raised concerns among regulators about systemic risk and operational resilience.

4 min read

New Plant Tissue Boosts Crop Yields

Japanese researchers at Nagoya University have unveiled the "Kasahara Gateway," a newly discovered plant tissue—the first such identification in 160 years—that crucially regulates nutrient flow to developing seeds. This groundbreaking discovery has already demonstrated its potential to revolutionize agriculture, significantly increasing crop yields, including a 9% boost in rice seed size, and promises to enhance global food production.

Global Fund Shortfall Imperils Health Fight

Global efforts to combat HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria are severely jeopardized due to a significant $6.7 billion funding deficit in the Global Fund's 2026-2028 budget, threatening to reverse years of public health advancements. This critical shortfall, largely attributed to the reluctance of key donor nations to commit specific amounts, raises serious concerns about the sustainability of life-saving programs and the potential resurgence of these devastating diseases.

Ukraine Faces Winter; Trump Peace Deal Push

Amidst deep war fatigue and the onset of a harsh winter, Ukraine is facing intense pressure for a peace deal, notably from a controversial US-proposed plan that demands significant territorial and military concessions. Despite this, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's administration maintains a firm stance against ceding any territory, even as the conflict remains a military stalemate and humanitarian challenges mount.

Orbán-Putin Talks Stir EU Energy Divide

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is in Moscow for critical energy discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, a rare diplomatic engagement for an EU leader amidst the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This high-stakes visit highlights Hungary's controversial reliance on Russian fossil fuels, as Orbán seeks to secure affordable supplies despite the European Union's collective strategy to reduce energy dependency on Moscow.

Sri Lanka: Deadly Floods, Landslides Kill 56

Sri Lanka is facing a severe crisis as Cyclonic Storm Ditwah has triggered devastating floods and landslips, claiming 56 lives, leaving 21 missing, and forcing the closure of government offices and schools across the island nation. The widespread destruction to infrastructure and homes has prompted military rescue operations and international aid, with warnings of continued heavy rainfall exacerbating the dire situation.

New Zealand's War on Feral Cats for Wildlife

New Zealand has launched an ambitious plan to eradicate feral cats across the country by 2050, integrating them into its "Predator Free 2050" strategy to protect vulnerable native wildlife. This crucial initiative, driven by strong public support and the severe threat posed by an estimated 2.5 million feral cats, aims to safeguard indigenous species from these "stone cold killers.

MIT Study: AI Threatens 12% of Jobs Now

A groundbreaking MIT review, utilizing the "Iceberg Index," reveals that roughly one in eight global jobs are highly susceptible to replacement by artificial intelligence, signifying a profound and accelerating shift in the job market. This widespread impact, affecting an estimated 11.7% of the U.S. workforce and $1.2 trillion in annual wages, is quietly transforming sectors like finance, healthcare, and back-office functions as AI increasingly automates routine tasks.

Anchorage Shakes: 6.0 Quake, No Damage

A powerful 6.0-magnitude earthquake rattled the Anchorage metropolitan area on Thanksgiving morning, causing widespread shaking across south-central Alaska but fortunately resulting in no immediate reports of significant damage or casualties. Despite the tremor, officials quickly confirmed no tsunami threat and that key public infrastructure remained intact, though residents were reminded of Alaska's highly seismic nature and the potential for aftershocks.

EPA Pushes Back Oil, Gas Deadlines

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized a significant rule extending compliance deadlines for the oil and gas industry, reversing stringent mandates originally established by the Biden-Harris administration. Announced on November 26, 2025, this decision by the Trump EPA aims to provide an estimated $750 million in financial relief over 11 years, addressing industry concerns over "unrealistic regulations" and operational challenges.

ISS Welcomes New Astronauts, Cosmonauts

NASA astronaut Chris Williams and Roscosmos cosmonauts Sergey Kud-Sverchkov and Sergei Mikaev successfully docked with the International Space Station on Thursday, November 27, 2025, marking a significant moment for international space collaboration. Their arrival expands the orbiting laboratory's crew to ten members for the next two weeks, facilitating increased research and operational activities, with two of the trio embarking on their inaugural journey into space.

Hong Kong High-Rise Fire: 80+ Dead, Missing

A devastating fire at Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court residential complex has claimed at least 83 lives and left hundreds missing, marking the city's deadliest blaze in decades. Fueled by external scaffolding during renovation, the inferno prompted a Level 5 alarm and a police investigation, leading to the arrest of three construction executives on manslaughter charges.

5 min read