In a historic medical achievement, AIIMS Bhubaneswar successfully revived a 24-year-old soldier from Odisha using Extracorporeal Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (eCPR). The soldier's heart had stopped for 120 minutes following cardiac arrest. Conventional CPR failed after 40 minutes, prompting doctors to initiate eCPR, combining ECMO technology to oxygenate and pump blood externally. Led by Dr. Srikant Behera, the team restored the soldier's heart function within 40 minutes of eCPR. The patient was weaned off ECMO in 96 hours and has since recovered. This marks a significant milestone in Odisha's medical history and showcases cutting-edge cardiac intervention.

India has reclaimed its position as the leading source of international students to the US after 15 years, sending 3.3 lakh students for the 2023-24 academic year, a 23% rise, according to the Open Doors report. Meanwhile, China saw a 4% decline. Indian students primarily pursue STEM courses, contributing significantly to the US economy, with international students collectively adding $50 billion in 2023. This marks a record 1.12 million international students in the US. Graduate programs and practical training courses saw the highest growth. The trend highlights India's expanding global educational footprint.

The G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro addressed climate change, wars in Ukraine and Gaza, and global inequality. Leaders called for increased climate finance but failed to outline concrete commitments. The group condemned the use of force in Ukraine but avoided naming Russian aggression. Calls for ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon focused on protecting civilians and releasing hostages. Brazilian President Lula pushed for taxing the ultra-wealthy and launched a global hunger alliance, with 82 countries pledging to reduce food insecurity by 2030. Discussions revealed tensions among global powers on addressing these critical issues.

A UN convoy of 109 aid lorries was attacked in Gaza, resulting in the looting of 97 vehicles, the UN agency Unrwa reported. Masked assailants armed with grenades forced drivers to unload supplies after entering southern Gaza via the Kerem Shalom crossing. The Unrwa commissioner general, Philippe Lazzarini, attributed the incident to a “total breakdown of civil order,” warning of worsening food shortages for 2M people reliant on aid. Hamas claimed to have killed over 20 gang members responsible. UN officials criticized Israel for failing to ensure the safe delivery of aid. The Israeli military has yet to comment.

Parts of the UK are bracing for more snow and icy conditions after experiencing the coldest night of the season. Snowfall has already blanketed Scotland, Ingleborough mountain, and parts of Yorkshire. The Met Office has issued yellow severe weather warnings for snow and ice, affecting Scotland, Northern Ireland, northern England, and Wales until Wednesday. Disruptive snow is expected to impact commuters, with delays likely on roads and railways. TransPennine Express and Northern Rail have warned passengers of possible travel disruptions, offering flexible ticket options. Forecasters call this the UK’s “first taste of winter” with up to 20 cm of snow predicted.

Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI) hit 500 on November 19, 2024, marking the worst pollution levels this season. The severe pollution led to schools and universities switching to online classes, with Gurugram, Ghaziabad, and Noida halting in-person sessions. Dense fog and poor visibility caused delays and cancellations in over 30 trains and flights. The Union Health Ministry issued advisories urging strengthened health systems and climate action. The city continues to face stringent anti-pollution measures under Stage 4 of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

A Russian-controlled segment of the International Space Station (ISS) is leaking, causing air and pressure loss. First identified in 2019, the leak has worsened this year, drawing serious concerns from NASA about the module's structural integrity and the risk of catastrophic failure. While Roscosmos downplays the threat and continues patching leaks, NASA believes the situation is dangerous for the crew. The agencies disagree on the severity of the problem, with NASA urging independent experts to assess the issue and find a resolution. This dispute marks the most critical issue facing the aging space station.

The Kremlin has warned of a "palpable response" if Ukraine uses US-made long-range missiles to strike Russian territory. This follows the US allowing Ukraine to deploy Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) against military targets inside Russia, a significant policy shift. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that such an action would mean direct involvement by the US and its allies. The move comes as Russia intensifies its aerial bombardments, particularly on the Ukrainian city of Odesa, where recent strikes killed 10 people. Ukrainian officials argue that the missiles could help shorten the war and shift the battlefield dynamics.

SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket successfully launched the Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) GSAT-20 satellite from Cape Canaveral on November 19, 2024. Weighing 4,700 kg, the GSAT-20 will enhance India's communication infrastructure, offering internet connectivity to remote areas and in-flight services. The satellite, also known as GSAT-N2, features 32 user beams and has a mission lifespan of 14 years. This launch marks the first-ever commercial collaboration between ISRO and SpaceX, as the GSAT-20's weight exceeded the capacity of ISRO’s own rockets, necessitating the partnership.

A Hong Kong court sentenced key pro-democracy leaders, including Benny Tai and Joshua Wong, to prison under China’s controversial National Security Law. Tai received a 10-year term, while Wong was sentenced to over 4 years. The court ruled their unofficial primary elections in 2020 aimed to subvert the government, marking the largest trial under the NSL. Critics, including Human Rights Watch, condemned the sentencing as politically motivated, eroding Hong Kong’s freedoms and judicial independence. Beijing defended the law as essential for stability. Observers warn this trial signals China's tightening grip over Hong Kong’s autonomy and democracy.