Several cabinet nominees of US President-elect Donald Trump are under scrutiny for allegations of misconduct. Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth denies a 2017 sexual assault claim and faces criticism over alleged ties to extremist groups. Attorney General pick Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress amid sexual misconduct and ethics allegations. Health Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine skepticism has sparked backlash, with health experts calling him unsuitable. While Trump seeks Senate confirmation for his nominees, bipartisan hearings are expected to intensify. Vice President-elect JD Vance defended Hegseth, accusing critics of anti-Christian bigotry. Trump has yet to address the controversies.

Indian-American politician Vivek Ramaswamy and entrepreneur Elon Musk, heading the US Department of Government Efficiency, announced plans for significant federal job cuts to reduce bureaucracy. Speaking in Florida, Ramaswamy emphasized restoring innovation and cutting costs by targeting inefficient agencies like the FDA and NRC. He described the initiative as a "modern Manhattan Project." Weekly "Dogecasts" will update the public on progress. Ramaswamy claimed the cuts would enable a merit-based, growth-driven America. The effort aligns with President Trump’s mandate for streamlined governance. Musk pledged transparency, stating, "We’ll use a chainsaw, not a chisel, to reshape bureaucracy."

Hamas official Bassem Naim announced readiness for a Gaza ceasefire if Israel respects proposals, urging U.S. President-elect Donald Trump to pressure Israel to halt its military actions. The statement follows Qatar’s suspension of mediation efforts, citing a lack of seriousness from both sides. Since the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, which left 1,206 dead and 251 abducted, the Israel Defense Forces' retaliatory campaign has resulted in 43,764 deaths in Gaza, mostly civilians. Naim emphasized the need for U.S. intervention to end the violence, marking a potential diplomatic shift in the ongoing conflict.

Hana-Rawhiti Kareariki Maipi-Clarke, New Zealand's youngest MP and a member of Te Pati Maori, performed a traditional haka and tore apart a contentious bill in Parliament, sparking significant attention. The 22-year-old opposed the Treaty Principles Bill, introduced by the ACT New Zealand party, which seeks changes to the Treaty of Waitangi—a cornerstone agreement between the Maori and British Crown from 1840. The bill, criticized for undermining Maori rights, passed its first reading amid protests, including a nine-day hikoi to Wellington. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon expressed concerns, emphasizing the need for deeper debate.

In a major anti-narcotics operation, authorities seized 700 kg of methamphetamine and arrested eight Iranian nationals off Gujarat's coast on November 15. Code-named 'Sagar Manthan - 4,' the operation was executed by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Navy, and Gujarat ATS based on intelligence inputs. The vessel was intercepted by maritime patrol assets, highlighting India's robust counter-narcotics efforts. Home Minister Amit Shah lauded the operation, calling it a testament to the government's commitment to a "drug-free Bharat." Investigations are underway with assistance from foreign drug enforcement agencies to dismantle the syndicate’s global network.

In Jharkhand's Godda, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi faced a 45-minute delay as Air Traffic Control (ATC) prioritized clearance for PM Modi's nearby rally. Congress leaders accused the BJP of misusing protocol to hinder opposition campaigns and wrote to the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking action. Congress spokesperson Jairam Ramesh highlighted the need for a level-playing field in elections. Meanwhile, PM Modi's aircraft in Deoghar experienced a technical snag, causing delays in his schedule. Jharkhand's assembly elections are underway, with the second phase on November 20 and results to be announced on November 23.

Donald Trump, the U.S. president-elect, plans major education reforms to eliminate "wokeness" and "left-wing indoctrination" in schools. He proposes cutting federal funding for schools promoting critical race theory or transgender-inclusive policies and banning transgender athletes in girls' sports. Trump also aims to abolish diversity offices in colleges and create a federal patriotic curriculum. He plans to dissolve the U.S. Education Department, transferring authority to states. Critics call his proposals propaganda, undermining public education. His ambitious promises include creating an online university and reshaping civil rights enforcement to penalize schools violating his directives.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has sparked controversy by including Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 trophy tour. The announcement came after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed India's refusal to travel to Pakistan due to security concerns and strained relations. The PCB's tour will visit locations in PoK, including Skardu and Muzaffarabad, further escalating tensions. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has yet to resolve the issue, with discussions on a hybrid model or venue change underway. India has declined permission for its team to participate in Pakistan-hosted events.

A tragic car crash in Dehradun on November 12 claimed six college students' lives and left another critically injured. The students were reportedly partying and drinking before the incident, where their car, racing a BMW, rear-ended a truck at high speed. The force of the collision caused decapitation and left the car mangled. CCTV footage and a surfaced video of the students drinking have raised suspicions about intoxication, though autopsy reports are pending. Police are investigating the cause of the crash, with emergency services saving the life of one injured student.

A ginger and white cat named Beans went missing from its home in Cumbernauld, Scotland, in late October, leaving its owners, Cara and Colin McBurnie, devastated. Despite searching locally, the couple feared the worst. Weeks later, Beans was found 300 miles away in Coventry, thanks to its microchip. Kelly Ryan, a local resident, noticed Beans hanging around her outdoor cat box, leading to the reunion after Cats Protection identified the cat. Cara McBurnie expressed shock at Beans' survival and journey, crediting the microchip for their miraculous reunion.