Top 10 News Headlines of November 28, 2025: White House Shooting, Cyclone Ditwah, and India’s Space Milestone

White House perimeter shooting triggers sweeping U.S. immigration crackdown

A deadly attack near the White House on November 28, 2025, has reshaped U.S. immigration policy overnight. Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national and former member of CIA-backed Afghan special forces, drove 3,000 miles from Washington State to Washington D.C. and opened fire near the White House perimeter, killing 20-year-old West Virginia National Guard Specialist Sarah Beckstrom and critically injuring Staff Sgt. Andrew Wolfe. The attack, carried out with a .357 Smith & Wesson revolver, prompted President Trump to order an immediate freeze on all 12,400 pending Afghan immigration cases and a full review of 1.2 million Green Card holders from Afghanistan and 18 other nations, including Somalia, Syria, and Yemen. Republican lawmakers like Senator Tom Cotton called for permanent bans on immigration from Muslim-majority countries, while 78% of Democratic representatives condemned the move as religiously discriminatory. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed the policy shift in an emergency bulletin, citing national security concerns. Experts warn the backlash could strain diplomatic ties with key allies and deepen political divides ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Cyclone Ditwah threatens 12.7 million in India’s east coast

India is bracing for Cyclone Ditwah, a severe storm forming over the Bay of Bengal with sustained winds of 110-120 km/h. The India Meteorological Department issued its highest alert for Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry, where 12.7 million people live in vulnerable coastal zones. The cyclone is expected to make landfall by November 30, with storm surges of up to 4 meters forecasted. The National Disaster Response Force has deployed 89 teams and 2,140 personnel to evacuation centers in Nellore, Visakhapatnam, and Puducherry. Schools and ports have been shut, and over 300,000 residents have been moved to shelters. ICRA Limited predicts delays in $1.3 billion in coastal infrastructure projects, pushing timelines into 2026. This comes as India’s monsoon season ends, and cyclones are becoming more intense due to rising sea surface temperatures.

India launches first privately built rocket: Skyroot’s Vikram-I

On November 28, 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-I rocket at ISRO’s Sriharikota launchpad-the first privately developed orbital vehicle in India. Capable of delivering 480 kg payloads to a 500 km orbit at just $5,000 per kg, it’s 40% cheaper than global competitors. This milestone follows the successful Agnibaan SOrTeD test flight in May 2024 and makes Skyroot the third private company worldwide, after SpaceX and Rocket Lab, to achieve orbital launch capability. The Indian government has fast-tracked regulatory approvals for private space ventures, signaling a major shift in its space policy. Analysts say this could attract over $2 billion in private investment by 2030 and position India as a low-cost launch hub for global satellite operators.

India opens nuclear energy to private companies

In a historic policy reversal, India’s Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) approved private sector participation in nuclear power generation on November 28, 2025. Companies like Tata Power and Reliance Industries can now build and operate reactors under NPCIL supervision, ending a 63-year monopoly held by the state. The move, detailed in AERB Notification No. AERB/SEC/POL/2025/007, aligns with India’s revised $5 trillion GDP target for 2029-30. The NIFTY-50 index rose 1.2% on the news, with nuclear sector stocks climbing over 5%. Experts say this could add 10 GW of new nuclear capacity by 2035, reducing coal dependence. Critics warn about safety oversight, but the government insists private firms must meet stricter international standards than state-run plants.

Hong Kong’s deadliest fire in over a century kills 41

A massive fire ripped through a 12-story residential building in Sham Shui Po at 3:17 AM HKT on November 28, 2025, killing 41 people and injuring 87 with severe burns. It’s the deadliest fire in Hong Kong since 1923. Emergency responders struggled to reach upper floors due to blocked stairwells and outdated building codes. Many victims were elderly residents living alone. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department blamed poor maintenance and illegal storage of flammable materials. The government has launched an emergency inspection of all 30-year-old buildings and pledged to revise fire safety laws by January 2026. Families of victims are demanding accountability, with protests planned outside the Legislative Council.

6.6 magnitude earthquake strikes Sumatra, triggers tsunami

A powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake hit Sumatra, Indonesia, at 5:44 AM WIB on November 28, 2025, with its epicenter 134 km southwest of Padang at a depth of 30 km. The quake triggered 1.2-meter tsunami waves that flooded coastal areas in Pariaman Regency, damaging 289 homes and businesses. At least 12 people were confirmed dead, and rescue teams are working to reach isolated villages. Indonesia’s BMKG issued a tsunami warning that lasted three hours before being lifted. The region, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, has seen increased seismic activity since 2023. Local officials are urging residents to avoid rebuilding near the shoreline and to adopt earthquake-resistant designs.

India-UAE trade hits $100.3 billion in 2024-25

India and the UAE finalized a landmark trade agreement on November 28, 2025, pushing bilateral trade to $100.3 billion in the 2024-25 fiscal year-up from $82 billion the previous year. Non-oil merchandise trade reached $84.7 billion, while services trade hit $15.6 billion. The Third CEPA Joint Committee Meeting in Abu Dhabi also sealed a consular pact allowing business travelers from both nations to stay visa-free for up to 90 days, effective January 1, 2026. EY projects the corridor could hit $150 billion by 2027. Key exports include Indian pharmaceuticals, textiles, and IT services, while the UAE sends petrochemicals, gold, and electronics. This partnership is now the second-largest trade route for India after the U.S.

India releases Constitution in nine new languages

On Constitution Day, November 26, 2025, India’s Ministry of Law and Justice published the full text of the Constitution in nine additional languages: Bodo, Dogri, Maithili, Santhali, Kashmiri, Konkani, Manipuri, Nepali, and Sindhi. This expands access to 127 million citizens who previously had no vernacular version. The move, detailed in Gazette Notification F.11025/07/2025-LA.IV, aims to strengthen civic education in rural and tribal areas. Schools and libraries across 17 states have begun distributing printed copies. Legal experts say this could reduce language-based misunderstandings in court cases and improve public trust in governance. The original English and Hindi versions remain authoritative, but translations now carry equal legal weight for interpretation.

Taiwan boosts defense budget to $40.2 billion

Taiwan announced a record $40.2 billion defense budget on November 28, 2025, the largest increase in its history. Minister of National Defense Wellington Koo allocated $22.1 billion for indigenous submarine production, $11.3 billion for missile systems, and $6.8 billion for cyber warfare units. The move is a direct response to rising Chinese military pressure. The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command welcomed the decision as “deterrence reinforcement,” while China’s Foreign Ministry called it “destabilizing.” The budget includes funding for 12 new Hai Kun-class submarines and 200 long-range cruise missiles. Defense analysts say Taiwan is now the most heavily armed non-state actor in Asia, with spending per capita exceeding that of South Korea and Japan.

Air pollution hits record highs across India

On November 28, 2025, air quality in India reached crisis levels, with 60.3% of the population breathing PM2.5 levels far above WHO’s safe limit of 5 µg/m³. Delhi recorded 342 µg/m³-78 times the limit-and Mumbai hit 287 µg/m³. In 24 hours, 1,842 people were hospitalized for respiratory distress. The joint IIT Kanpur and TERI study attributes the spike to crop stubble burning, vehicle emissions, and industrial activity. Emergency measures like school closures and odd-even traffic rules have been enforced in 12 cities. While TERI pushes for 100% EV adoption by 2035, CEEW research suggests targeted industrial controls could cut pollution by 55% at just 30% of the cost. With no long-term solution in sight, public frustration is mounting, and social media trends like #ProudIndian are being overshadowed by #BreatheSafeIndia.