Guinea-Bissau military officers claim 'total control' of country

Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the president of Guinea-Bissau, has been arrested amid reports of gunfire, just three days following a contentious presidential election where he sought re-election against a relatively unknown candidate. This incident marks a significant escalation in the political instability that has plagued the country.

Former French President Nicolas Sarkozy's final appeal against his conviction for illegal campaign financing has been rejected, marking a significant legal setback for the former leader. This decision follows a lengthy legal battle concerning allegations of overspending during his 2012 presidential campaign.

A massive fire engulfed multiple high-rise residential buildings in Hong Kong's Tai Po district, resulting in at least 13 fatalities, including a firefighter. Emergency services are actively engaged in rescue operations as many individuals remain trapped within the structures.

Southern Thailand has faced its heaviest rainfall in 300 years, leading to severe flooding that has resulted in at least 33 fatalities across seven provinces. A state of emergency has been declared in Songkhla province, with over 1,200 residents evacuated from affected areas, including the tourist destination of Hat Yai.

In Ivory Coast, the electoral commission has confirmed that the country has failed to meet the mandated 30% quota for women candidates in the upcoming legislative elections, despite the law being in place since 2019. With just over a month remaining before the elections, this shortfall raises concerns about gender representation in the political landscape.

Over 80 million people are expected to travel in the US this Thanksgiving, with airlines preparing for heavy holiday traffic following a recent 43-day government shutdown that disrupted airports. Despite a slight decrease in flight bookings, airlines have added flights and anticipate full planes, although winter weather in the Midwest and Northeast may cause delays.

On November 25, 2025, all 24 schoolgirls abducted from the Government Girls Comprehensive Secondary School in Kebbi state, Nigeria, were rescued, following a series of alarming kidnappings in the region. This incident is part of a broader trend of escalating violence against educational institutions in Nigeria, where kidnappings have surged in recent weeks, prompting discussions about potential strikes by educators due to safety concerns.

UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves is set to present her second annual budget to parliament on November 26, aiming to address a spending gap of at least £30 billion. The budget is expected to include measures targeting the cost of living crisis, amidst pressure from Labour Party backbenchers and bond markets for fiscal responsibility.