TOP NEWS ON November 27, 2025

 Source: The Hindu  Indian Express and others

Hong Kong high-rise building fire claims 44 lives, hundreds missing

The death toll from a high-rise fire in Hong Kong has risen to at least 44, officials said on Thursday (November 27, 2025) as the blaze still smoldered and police said three suspects were arrested. Hundreds more remained unaccounted for in the city’s worst blaze in decades. The fire which started on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) afternoon in an eight-building complex with 2,000 apartment units shocked the Chinese financial hub, which has some of the world’s most densely populated and tallest residential blocks. The fire department raised the death toll from 36 to 44 in an early morning press briefing.

Ahmedabad formally named as 2030 Commonwealth Games host

The Commonwealth Games will return to India after a gap of 20 years, with Ahmedabad hosting the 2030 centenary edition. Commonwealth Sport (CS) on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) made the announcement from Glasgow through a physical-cum-virtual press conference after its General Assembly ratified the Executive Board’s October 15 proposal in favour of Ahmedabad ahead of the Nigerian capital city of Abuja. CS president Dr. Donald Rukare said the decision followed a “robust evaluation process.”

Two U.S. National Guard soldiers shot near White House, suspect in custody

Two U.S. National Guard soldiers were critically wounded on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) in a targeted shooting near the White House — an extraordinary security incident fueling controversy over President Donald Trump’s nationwide crime crackdown. Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser called it “a targeted shooting” by a single gunman. “That individual has been taken into custody,” she said. Both soldiers — part of a militarised anti-crime deployment around the United States ordered by Trump — were in “critical condition,” FBI Director Kash Patel said.

Studying Bangladesh’s plea for Sheikh Hasina’s extradition: India

Days after Bangladesh sent an extradition request for deposed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the request was being “examined”. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, “The request is being examined as part of ongoing judicial and internal legal processes. We remain committed to the best interests of the people of Bangladesh, including peace, democracy, inclusion and stability in that country and will continue to engage constructively in this regard with all stakeholders.” Ms. Hasina was handed the death sentence on November 17 following which the Foreign Ministry of Bangladesh had urged India to hand her over citing the extradition treaty.

Arbitrary actions by China ‘most unhelpful’ to ties: MEA

Days after Chinese officials detained an Indian citizen from Arunachal Pradesh at Shanghai international airport, Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs, said, “arbitrary actions” by China are “most unhelpful” in nurturing “people-centric” initiatives. Mr. Jaiswal further said that “peace and tranquillity” on the India-China border is the “prerequisite” for the development of ties. Mr. Jaiswal’s remarks came a day after the MEA said a “strong demarche” was sent to the Chinese side soon after the detention of the Indian citizen, Pema Wang Thongdok, became known.

Leadership row in Karnataka will be settled with talks in Delhi: Congress chief Kharge

As discussion on the leadership issue in the Congress gathers pace with Central leaders expected to intervene to douse the fire, parleys among leaders looking to cement their political future was at play on Wednesday (November 26, 2025). Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge is learnt to have briefed Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi about the leadership tussle, and the two leaders are expected to meet again in New Delhi on Thursday (November 27, 2025). Mr. Kharge said the issue would be resolved after discussions with senior leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

India-Canada uranium deal possible because of 2008 pact with U.S. by Manmohan Singh: Congress

Responding to reports that India and Canada are close to finalising a deal involving the supply of uranium, the Congress on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) asserted that such a development was possible because of the 2008 Indo-U.S. civil nuclear agreement under the leadership of then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh despite opposition from the BJP. “This deal has been made possible entirely because of the Indo-US nuclear agreement of 2008 masterminded by Dr Manmohan Singh in the face of opposition by the BJP,” Congress communications chief Jairam Ramesh said in a post on X, underscoring the agreement’s strategic legacy.

NHRC notice to railways on serving of ‘only halal-processed meat’ on trains

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) recently issued a notice to the Indian Railways over a complaint alleging that “only halal-processed meat” is being served on trains, which affects ‘freedom of choice and religion’ for others and creates “unfair discrimination’’. The notice was issued on November 24, 2025, by the Bench of NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo while taking cognisance of the complaint filed by Sunil Ahirwar from Bhopal. In his complaint, Mr. Ahirwar said only halal-processed meat under non-vegetarian meals was being served on trains, which created unfair discrimination and caused human rights violations.

Ram Temple flag raising: India rejects Pakistan’s ‘remarks with contempt’

A day after Pakistan’s Foreign Office expressed “deep concern” over the raising of a religious flag on the shikhara (spire) at the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, the Ministry of External Affairs rejected Islamabad’s remarks with “contempt” and said Pakistan should look into its own record of “bigotry” and “repression”. The Official Spokesperson of the MEA Randhir Jaiswal said, “We have seen the reported remarks and reject them with the contempt that they deserve. Rather than delivering hypocritical homilies, Pakistan would do better to turn its gaze inwards and focus on its own abysmal human rights record.” He added, “Pakistan has no moral standing to lecture others” as it has a “deeply stained record of bigotry, repression and systemic mistreatment of its minorities.”

South Africa will not receive invitation for 2026 G20 summit, says Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump said on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) that he is barring South Africa from participating in the Group of 20 summit next year in Miami and will “stop all payments and subsidies” to the country over its treatment of a US government representative at this year’s global meeting. “At the conclusion of the G20, South Africa refused to hand off the G20 Presidency to a Senior Representative from our U.S. Embassy, who attended the Closing Ceremony. Therefore, at my direction, South Africa will NOT be receiving an invitation to the 2026 G20, which will be hosted in the Great City of Miami, Florida next year,” Mr. Trump said in a post on Truth Social.

There is absolute poverty in Gaza: UNCTAD

Gaza’s economy experienced an 83% decline in 2024, pushing all 2.3 million residents into poverty. This followed months of bombardment in military actions carried out by Israel, which have been termed genocide by the United Nations Commission of Inquiry. The humanitarian fallout is acute. Food-security data shows that Gaza’s population has been pushed progressively into emergency and famine-like conditions. Between December 2023 and March 2024, the proportion of people in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) nearly doubled from 17% to 30%. By September–October 2024, the phase distribution shifted slightly as access fluctuated, but extreme deprivation persisted: 6% remained in Catastrophe, 31-49% in Crisis, and 31-44% in Emergency. The situation was projected to worsen sharply. From May to September 2025, up to 32% of Gaza’s population is expected to face Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5), while 58% will be in Emergency (IPC Phase 4) levels associated with excess mortality and starvation.

Nigeria’s Tinubu declares ‘nationwide security emergency’ in wake of mass kidnappings

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday (November 26, 2025) declared a “nationwide security emergency” as the country battles a wave of mass kidnappings. “This is a national emergency, and we are responding by deploying more boots on the ground, especially in security-challenged areas,” Mr. Tinubu said in a statement. In just a week, assailants kidnapped 25 schoolgirls, 38 worshippers, 315 school children and teachers, 13 young women and girls walking near a farm, and another 10 women and children — across parts of the country.