At least 55 people have died and another 279 are missing after a fire in a residential complex in Hong Kong. The tragedy may have been caused by the "gross negligence" of the construction company, which used dangerous materials.
Brent crude futures fell 0. 5% to $62.8 a barrel, while US West Texas Intermediate crude futures lost 0.6% to $58.33. The price decline is linked to expectations of progress in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, which could lead to the lifting of sanctions on Russian supplies.
Hong Kong police have arrested three men suspected of involvement in a massive fire at a residential complex in the Tai Po district. They have been charged with involuntary manslaughter; 44 people died and over 200 are missing.
The US Department of Defense proposes adding Alibaba, Baidu, and BYD to the list of companies posing a national security threat due to their ties with the Chinese government. Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg informed lawmakers of this decision on October 7.
A massive fire in Hong Kong, which claimed 36 lives, has drawn attention to bamboo scaffolding, which is still widely used. Authorities have set up an investigation team to review building standards and fire resistance of materials.
Former Peruvian President Martín Vizcarra has been sentenced to 14 years in prison for receiving bribes totaling $676,000. This occurred during his tenure as governor of the Moquegua region from 2011 to 2014.
Poland has chosen the Swedish company Saab to supply three A26 submarines under the "Orka" program, worth 2. 3 billion euros. The first vessel is expected in 2030, which will strengthen the country's security in the Baltic Sea.
The administration of US President Donald Trump is negotiating with Minsk on the possible release of over 100 political prisoners. The US is considering easing sanctions on Belarus' potash industry in exchange for a deal.
Poland will receive 44 billion euros from SAFE funds to strengthen its army, drone systems, and security infrastructure on the EU's eastern border. The funding will also go towards space initiatives, AI-powered defense technologies, and the SAFE Baltic program.
China warned it would crush any attempts by foreign powers to interfere in Taiwan's affairs after Japan announced the deployment of missiles on an island near Taiwan. Beijing views Taiwan as its territory and does not rule out the use of force to establish control.
The 28-point US peace plan, unveiled last week, is based on a Russian document submitted to the Trump administration in October. That document contained Moscow's terms for ending the war, including concessions that Ukraine had previously rejected.
Pope Leo embarks on his first foreign trip to Turkey and Lebanon from November 27 to December 2. He will call for peace and unity among branches of Christianity, meet with government officials, and visit cultural sites.
On Tuesday, Syrian security forces used firearms to stop clashes between two groups of protesters in Latakia. The incident occurred amid inter-confessional tensions after the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, when Alawite demonstrators demanded autonomy, and supporters of the new government shouted insults.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Kyiv's readiness to move forward with a US-backed peace agreement. He is ready to discuss delicate issues with Donald Trump in negotiations that should include European allies.
The international volunteer medical organization "Doctors Without Borders" temporarily withdrew staff from a hospital in Darfur due to the death of a Sudanese Ministry of Health paramedic and the wounding of four people during a shooting on November 18. This happened at Zalingei Hospital, located in an area controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.
Officials from Turkey, Egypt, and Qatar met in Cairo to discuss the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement. They agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation to ensure the continuity of the truce and counter violations by Israel.
White House spokeswoman Carolyn Leavitt reported significant progress in advancing a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia. According to her, there are delicate details that require further negotiations.
A Ukrainian official said after talks in Geneva that Kyiv supports the essence of the framework peace agreement. However, some sensitive issues remain subject to discussion between the US and Ukrainian presidents, and final agreements have not yet been reached.
An EU loan of 140 billion euros, which Ukraine may receive, backed by frozen Russian assets, does not pose a threat to the sovereign ratings of EU countries. Leading rating agencies S&P and Fitch stated minimal risks for EU members, despite concerns about possible Russian lawsuits.
Russian oil supplies are declining for the fifth consecutive week, and Urals prices have fallen to their lowest levels in two years. This is happening against the backdrop of new US sanctions and the reformatting of sales markets, which has led to a decrease in Russia's oil export revenues.
IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi stated that the Zaporizhzhia NPP needs a special status and a cooperation agreement between Russia and Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement. This comes amid increased efforts by the administration of US President Donald Trump to end the war.
Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz stated the need for NATO to accelerate its work on strengthening the defense of the eastern flank against Russian drones. This came after Romania scrambled fighter jets twice due to the detection of drone incursions into its airspace on November 25.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Europe should not count on negotiations with Russia, as its elites seek Russia's "strategic defeat. " He also noted that Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his entourage are making contradictory statements regarding the US peace plan.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, after talks with Russian officials, will also meet with Ukrainian representatives in Abu Dhabi, UAE. This comes amid intensive efforts by the Trump administration to end the war in Ukraine.
The price of gold rose to $4,141. 49 per ounce, reaching its highest level since November 14. This happened after the Fed signaled a possible rate cut in December, which increased the probability of such a decision to 81%.
Brent crude futures fell to $63. 10 a barrel, WTI to $58.61. The decline comes amid fears that supply will outstrip demand next year, despite sanctions on Russian supplies.
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Sergiy Kyslytsya reported that copies of the peace agreement were taken from all participants in the Geneva negotiations, except for the heads of delegations. This was done to prevent information leaks, while national security advisers made progress in reducing the plan to key points.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy is awaiting a detailed report from the Ukrainian delegation on the results of the meetings in Geneva. He emphasized the importance of involving Europeans in contacts with the American team and thanked them for their support of Ukraine.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that Donald Trump expressed readiness for a jointly developed peace plan for Ukraine. The talks in Geneva have concluded, but a breakthrough is not expected this week, adds the German leader.
The US peace proposal for Ukraine removed a clause on using frozen Russian assets for Ukraine's reconstruction under American leadership. European countries opposed this provision.
