Darjeeling’s Sandakphu witnessed its first snowfall of the season on 21 November, much earlier than expected. The unexpected snowfall turned the region into a winter wonderland, thrilling tourists. Locals and visitors were surprised as snow usually graces Darjeeling in December, with last year’s first snowfall recorded on 7 December. Tourism businesses are optimistic about increased visitors as snowfall may intensify with dropping temperatures. While Darjeeling enjoys its frosty charm, Kolkata and other parts of South Bengal continue to experience mild winter temperatures around 20°C, with no significant dip expected soon.

Rumeysa Gelgi, the world’s tallest woman from Turkey (215.16 cm), met Jyoti Amge, the shortest woman from India (62.8 cm), at London’s Savoy Hotel for afternoon tea, celebrating the 20th Guinness World Records Day. Gelgi, a Turkish web developer with Weaver syndrome, and Amge, an Indian actress with achondroplasia, bonded over shared interests like makeup and self-care. “It was amazing meeting Jyoti,” said Gelgi. Amge expressed joy at meeting someone taller. Both Guinness World Records icons are featured in the 70th-anniversary edition, symbolizing the celebration of human diversity and resilience.

Kenyan President William Ruto canceled $730M worth of Adani Group deals, citing a US indictment against Gautam Adani for bribery. The canceled agreements include a 30-year, $736M energy project for power transmission lines and a proposal to control Kenya's main airport. In his address, Ruto emphasized the decision stemmed from "new information" from investigative agencies and partner nations. US authorities accused Adani of paying $265M in bribes to Indian officials, allegations the Adani Group denies, vowing legal recourse. Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi earlier denied corruption in the transmission lines contract's awarding.

Maurizio Cattelan’s controversial artwork “Comedian,” featuring a banana duct-taped to a wall, sold for $6.2 million at Sotheby’s New York, far exceeding its pre-sale estimate. Chinese entrepreneur Justin Sun won the auction, outbidding six other contenders. Sun, who runs the Tron blockchain network, plans to eat the banana as part of the artwork’s experience. The installation, first unveiled in 2019, has stirred debates on the nature of art. The banana, previously sold for $120,000 in 2019 and eaten in 2023, has been part of global exhibitions, with instructions to replace the fruit when it rots.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, and Hamas leader Al-Masri, over alleged war crimes in Gaza. The ICC claims they are responsible for the crime of starvation as a method of warfare, accusing them of depriving Gaza civilians of essential resources like food, water, and medical supplies. The warrants hold symbolic importance, but they also obligate 124 ICC member states to arrest these figures if they enter their territories. Compliance is uncertain, but the warrants mark a significant step in international justice.

The upcoming Border-Gavaskar Test series between India and Australia has become a pivotal moment for India’s veterans, including Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, R. Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja. While India has dominated recent series, the team's recent struggles, including a whitewash by New Zealand, have raised doubts about the future of these key players. Kohli, in particular, has faced a prolonged slump in form, and both Sharma and the spin duo have shown inconsistencies. Their performance in this series could determine their future, as younger talents eagerly await their opportunity.

India's top 10 companies collectively lost ₹1.66 lakh crore in market value during a volatile trading week. Reliance Industries and LIC suffered the most, with declines of ₹33,931 crore and ₹30,676 crore, respectively. Other major firms, including SBI, Infosys, and TCS, also saw significant losses. However, Hindustan Unilever and ITC bucked the trend, gaining ₹12,946 crore and ₹8,406 crore, respectively. Despite the losses, Reliance Industries retained its position as India's most valuable company, followed by TCS and HDFC Bank. The BSE index's 1.57% drop reflected broader market weakness.

Israeli airstrikes on northern Gaza killed at least 66 people, including women and children, near Beit Lahia’s Kamal Adwan hospital. Another 22 died in a strike on Sheikh Radwan, Gaza City. Medical facilities face severe challenges amid dwindling supplies. The UN reports 75,000 under siege with minimal aid delivered in 40 days. Since October 2023, Gaza’s death toll has reached nearly 44,000. The US vetoed a UN Gaza ceasefire resolution, emphasizing the need to link ceasefire and hostage release. Mediator Amos Hochstein expressed hope for a Lebanon ceasefire as the region remains gripped by escalating violence.

The Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) lost $920 million (₹7,850 crore) across its Adani Group holdings within 4 hours of trading on November 21, 2024. This sharp decline, triggered by the U.S. indictment of Gautam Adani and associates, slashed LIC's Adani portfolio value to ₹47,847 crore, down from ₹55,694 crore on November 19. Over two months, LIC has faced over ₹15,637 crore losses in its Adani investments. The indictment alleges bribery to secure solar energy contracts, compounding concerns raised by Hindenburg Research in 2023 over accounting irregularities and stock manipulation.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi co-chaired the India-CARICOM summit, announcing a 7-pillar action plan for stronger India-Caribbean ties. The acronym "CARICOM" represents key areas: capacity building with 1,000 IT scholarships, agriculture with food security solutions, renewable energy through global alliances, innovation using digital payment systems, cricket for cultural ties, ocean economy development, and affordable healthcare initiatives. Leaders praised India's leadership of the Global South and assistance in sustainable development. Modi emphasized resource-sharing to enhance regional cooperation, including scholarships for women’s cricket, maritime security support, and low-cost medicines. The initiative highlights India's commitment to fostering global partnerships.