Current events of 25 November 2008 (2008-11-25) (Tuesday) edit history watch

Reports indicate that President-elect Barack Obama has decided to keep Robert Gates as the United States Secretary of Defense and tap Marine General James L. Jones as National Security Advisor. (USA Today) The U.S. Federal Reserve announces a new US$800 billion "stimulus" package in which it will buy debt and mortgage-backed securities and make loans to holders of consumer debt (BBC News) Armenia retains their championship title by beating China 2.5-1.5 in the 11th and final round at the 38th Chess Olympiad in Dresden, Germany. (AP via Google News) Three people are killed in a car bombing near the Udelnaya Metro station in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (AFP via Google News) BHP Billiton, the world's largest mining company, withdraws a $66 billion bid for the Rio Tinto Group due to the global financial crisis. (Bloomberg) Israel again seals off the Gaza Strip in response to rocket attacks. (AFP via ABC News Australia) 2008 Thai political crisis: About 10,000 protesters from the People's Alliance for Democracy surround Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat's temporary office at Don Mueang International Airport in Bangkok, Thailand. (AFP via Google News) Thousands of tourists are left stranded at Suvarnabhumi Airport after protests against the return of the Prime Minister of Thailand from the APEC Peru 2008 summit. (Melbourne Herald-Sun)