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EU Unveils Digital Omnibus for Tech Rules

The European Commission officially published its comprehensive Digital Omnibus on November 19, 2025, proposing significant legislative adjustments to simplify and streamline the EU's digital rulebook across artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and data governance. This initiative includes delaying the application of rules for high-risk AI systems by up to 16 months, introducing a single entry point for cybersecurity incident notifications, and consolidating data governance legislation to reduce administrative burdens and foster innovation for businesses, particularly small and mid-cap companies.

6 min read

COP30 Deadlocked on Fossil Fuels

The COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil, have extended beyond their scheduled end due to profound disagreements over a proposed roadmap to phase out fossil fuels, a critical step for limiting global warming to 1.5°C. While many nations, including Europe and small island states, strongly advocate for this roadmap, major fossil fuel producers like Saudi Arabia, China, and India resist, further complicated by a dramatic fire at the venue that temporarily halted negotiations.

Japan Spacecraft Faces Spinning Asteroid

New observations reveal that asteroid 1998 KY26, the target for Japan's Hayabusa2 mission, is significantly smaller and spins much faster than previously estimated, posing complex challenges for the spacecraft's planned encounter and potential touchdown maneuvers. Despite these hurdles, the mission remains a high priority, promising unprecedented insights into rapidly rotating micro-asteroids, the early solar system, and crucial data for asteroid defense strategies.

Shutdown Sinks US Consumer Confidence to Low

US consumer sentiment plummeted to near-record lows in November 2025, largely due to widespread anxiety following an unprecedented 43-day federal government shutdown. This significant downturn was further exacerbated by persistent concerns over high prices and ongoing stock market volatility, signaling potential challenges for the nation's economic stability.

Vaccine-Autism Reversal Sparks CDC Crisis

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is facing significant backlash after reportedly altering its website to suggest that the claim "vaccines do not cause autism" lacks sufficient evidence, a move that contradicts decades of scientific consensus. This controversial change, allegedly implemented without the consultation of career scientists, has ignited fears among public health experts that it will undermine public trust in vaccinations and could lead to a resurgence of preventable diseases.

Indian Tejas Jet Crash Kills Pilot in Dubai

A tragic incident unfolded at the Dubai Airshow 2025 today as an Indian Air Force Tejas fighter jet crashed during a flying display, resulting in the pilot's death and casting a somber shadow over the international aviation event. Authorities have launched a Court of Inquiry to investigate the cause of this devastating accident, which marks the first fatal crash for the indigenous Tejas aircraft.

US Cancer Sex Rule Sparks Concern

Starting in 2026, U.S. cancer registries will be forced to classify patient sex solely as "male," "female," or "unknown," a directive from the Trump administration that has sparked alarm among scientists and transgender rights advocates. This policy shift is expected to severely hinder the understanding of cancer diagnoses and trends within the transgender population, making it more difficult to address critical health disparities for this marginalized group.

Niigata Nuke Plant Restart Approved

Niigata province authorities have officially approved the restart of the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant, the world's largest, marking the first such decision since the 2011 Fukushima disaster and a pivotal step for Japan's energy future. This move aims to reduce reliance on imported fossil fuels and achieve carbon neutrality, though the plant's operator, Tepco, still requires final permission from the national nuclear regulator before Reactor No. 6 can potentially become operational by March 2026.

Bangladesh Hit by Deadly Earthquake

A powerful earthquake, initially reported at magnitude 5.7, struck Bangladesh on Friday morning, November 21, 2025, causing widespread panic and claiming at least six lives in Dhaka. The shallow tremor, centered near Narsingdi, led to buildings swaying and structures collapsing, with mild tremors also felt in parts of India.

Feds Seize Congress Phone Data, Outcry

A recent report revealing federal authorities obtained phone data from a House committee chairman overseeing the Justice Department has ignited a fierce debate in Washington over government surveillance and the separation of powers. This controversy intensified after disclosures that the FBI analyzed phone records of several lawmakers in 2023, leading to a Senate provision allowing lawsuits for unauthorized data access, which the House subsequently voted to repeal.

CERN ALPHA Breaks Antihydrogen Record

CERN's ALPHA experiment has achieved a monumental breakthrough in antimatter research, dramatically increasing the production of antihydrogen atoms to over 15,000 in just a few hours—an eightfold efficiency boost. This unprecedented success, made possible by a pioneering positron cooling method, promises to revolutionize fundamental physics by enabling faster, more detailed investigations into matter-antimatter symmetries.

US Snubs SA G20, Ramaphosa: No Bullying

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa declared his nation "will not be bullied" after the United States initially boycotted the G20 summit in Johannesburg, citing disputed claims of persecution against white farmers. This diplomatic standoff escalated as the US demanded South Africa forgo a joint leaders' statement, a demand Ramaphosa firmly rejected, highlighting broader international disagreements and South Africa's non-aligned foreign policy.

5 min read

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