Africa's first G20 summit opened in South Africa on Saturday without the world's biggest economy after US President Donald Trump ordered a boycott of the two-day gathering. The summit looked set to be overshadowed by Trump's unilateral plan to end the war in Ukraine as well as the continuing deadlock at COP30 climate negotiations taking place in Brazil.

Johannesburg

The G20 summit is being held in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the first time the event takes place on African soil. The summit's agenda focuses on advancing Africa's interests, including debt relief for developing countries, a just energy transition, and the fair use of rare minerals. 

Several key countries, including the United States, China, Russia, Argentina, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia, are not represented at the head-of-state level, with the US boycotting the event over allegations of discrimination. Despite these absences, the European Union reached a critical minerals deal with South Africa, and G20 leaders agreed on a draft declaration addressing climate change.

Africa's first G20 summit opens with an ambitious agenda

The G20 summit is making history in Johannesburg this year, a big achievement for host South Africa. Because this is the very first time that a social summit of the G20 is being held on African soil and you can applaud yourself. But this year's event will be missing heads of state from China, Russia, Argentina, Mexico and Saudi Arabia, coupled with a US boycott. The G20 agenda, however, remains packed. Cyril Ramaphosa plans to advance the continent's interest onto the global platform, focusing on key themes like alleviating debt for developing countries, ensuring a just energy transition and promoting the fair use of rare minerals. Ahead of the conference, the EU leaders secured a critical minerals deal with a South African delegation on Friday. The agreement is crucial for the EU to access metals, vital for the global transition to renewable energy, of which 30% are found in Africa. But with the Ukraine peace plan put forward by the US, EU leaders also plan to discuss the situation in Ukraine on the sidelines of the G20. China's Premier Li Qiang will also attend the summit, as the country pledges to work with South Africa on multilateral trade and a zero tariff plan. The US, a major absentee this year, has boycotted the G20 summit, alleging that South Africa is discriminating against its minority white Afrikaners who ruled the country during apartheid. At a commemoration in Pretoria for French anti-apartheid activists, President Macron reacted to the US's absence. I have no comment to make. I hope they will join again. And my guess is that they will join again because they will share next year. G20 leaders have agreed on a draft declaration ahead of this weekend's summit without a US input, which includes references to climate change.

U.S. President Donald Trump and New York City's incoming progressive mayor Zohran Mamdani were all smiles at a White House meeting, promising to set aside months of bitter feuding and cooperate on the city's future.

Washington

Trump hosts warm White House meeting with N.Y. mayor-elect Mamdani

Hopes for a strong G20 declaration on climate and debt relief are slim as South Africa hosts the summit from Saturday (November 22). Global tensions and a boycott by the U.S. threaten to overshadow the gathering.

Soweto

G20 leaders seeking agreement in South Africa, despite U.S. boycott

Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene is resigning from Congress early next year after a weekslong falling out with President Trump and much of her party.

Marjorie Taylor Greene resigning from Congress after Trump fallout

President Trump is pressuring Ukraine to sign off on a new peace proposal with Russia by Thanksgiving. The 28-point plan would have Ukraine surrender about 20% of its territory to the Russians -- an area roughly the size of Pennsylvania.

Trump presses Zelenskyy to accept peace plan, ceding territory to Russia

A powerful earthquake has struck Bangladesh outside the densely populated capital of Dhaka, killing at least five people and injuring about 100, according to the government.

Dhaka

At least five killed as magnitude 5.5 earthquake hits Bangladesh

The COP30 climate conference was hit by divisions on Friday (November 21), over a proposed deal that dropped any mention of fossil fuels, prompting the summit host Brazil to plead with delegates for unity.

Belém

Draft COP30 deal drops mention of fossil fuels

Fátima Bosch Fernández of Mexico has been crowned Miss Universe 2025, securing an electrifying victory at the center of a turbulent pageant in Bangkok.

Bangkok

Miss Mexico crowned Miss Universe 2025

According to UNICEF, more than 400 million children globally live in poverty, missing out on at least two daily needs such as nutrition and sanitation.

UNICEF: More than 400 million children globally live in poverty

The fire in the Blue Zone of the UN climate conference forced evacuations and stalled negotiations as the summit nears its end with many agreements yet to be made.

Fire disrupts climate talks at COP30 in Brazil

Top Democrats condemned President Donald Trump after he accused six lawmakers of "seditious behavior," a crime he said is "punishable by death." The lawmakers posted a video telling military members to disobey illegal orders.

Trump accuses six lawmakers of "seditious behavior"

President Trump approved a 28-point plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war, a senior White House official confirms to CBS News. Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Ukraine Invasion

Trump approved 28-point plan to end Russia-Ukraine war

There are reports that the U.S. and Russia have drafted a plan that would end the war in Ukraine, but it proposes that Kyiv give up territory and some weapons.

Kyiv

Ukraine expected to give up land, some arms under U.S. peace plan

All 267 people on board a South Korean passenger ferry that ran aground off the southwestern tip of the Korean peninsula on Wednesday (November 19) have been rescued, in an incident that revived memories of the major ferry disaster in 2014 in which 300 people died.

Mokpo-si

Ferry runs aground off South Korea, crew negligence suspected

On Wednesday, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the bill that forces the Justice Department to release the files from its investigation into the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill was passed by the U.S. House and Senate on Tuesday.

Trump signs bill to release Epstein files

U.S. officials are now in Kyiv for the Trump administration's renewed push to end the Russia-Ukraine war. CBS News chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan has the details.

U.S. officials in Ukraine to push for renewed peace talks

Harvard University is opening a new inquiry into faculty connections with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Cam Srivastava, college administration reporter for The Harvard Crimson, joins CBS News with more.

Cambridge

Harvard announces new probe into faculty ties to Jeffrey Epstein

U.S. President Donald Trump has authorized a plan for the CIA in Venezuela, according to a New York Times report. CBS News' Charlie D'Agata has more details.

Trump authorizes plans for CIA covert operation in Venezuela: report

An Israeli strike on the Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp in southern Lebanon killed 13 people and wounded several others, the Lebanese Health Ministry said Wednesday. The Israeli military said it struck Hamas militants who it said were operating in a training compound there.

Beirut

Middle East Conflict

Israeli strike on Palestinian refugee camp in Lebanon kills 13

The Epstein files bill is expected to reach President Donald Trump's desk for his signature on Wednesday (November 19). CBS News' Taurean Small reports.

Trump set to sign bill to release Epstein files

Microsoft and Nvidia plan to invest a combined $15 billion into Anthropic. Bloomberg Intelligence's Mandeep Singh discusses why two of the biggest backers of OpenAI are putting money into its rival.

San Francisco

Microsoft, Nvidia to invest up to $15 billion in Anthropic

Hamas rejects the US-drafted UN resolution for a Gaza ceasefire and international stabilisation force.

New York

UN Security Council vote: Hamas rejects Gaza 'peace resolution'

President Trump welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman to the White House on Tuesday. The two leaders announced a boost in Saudi Arabia's planned investment in the U.S., from $600 billion to nearly $1 trillion.

Trump, MBS announce boost in Saudi investment to U.S.

President Donald Trump hosted Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, with the Saudi de facto ruler seeking to further rehabilitate his global image after the 2018 killing of U.S.-based journalist Jamal Khashoggi and deepen ties with Washington.

Trump hosts Saudi crown prince for pomp-filled, deal-making visit

The Senate, through the process of unanimous consent, agreed to send the bill to President Trump's desk for his signature without any amendments once it's received from the House.

Senate to send Epstein files bill to Trump's desk for signature

The House has approved a bill that would require the Justice Department to release files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The bill, which received bipartisan support, now awaits consideration in the Senate.

House passes bill that would force release of Jeffrey Epstein files

Hopes for a strong G20 declaration on climate and debt relief are slim as South Africa readies to host the summit from Saturday (November 22). Global tensions and a boycott by the United States threaten to overshadow the gathering.

South Africa readies for G20 despite U.S. boycott

At least one person is dead and three others were injured after an attack in the West Bank, Israeli forces said. Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council backed the U.S. plan for Gaza. CBS News' Ramy Inocencio has the latest.

Jerusalem

Tensions escalate as U.N. Security Council backs Trump's plan for Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump will host Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House, his first visit since Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in 2018. The crown prince has denied any involvement.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman visiting White House

The sale of the fighter jets is one of several major deals between the two countries expected to be announced during the visit.

Trump says he will sell F-35 jets to Saudi Arabia

The U.K. government has proposed a major overhaul of its asylum rules, making it easier to deport people and quadruple the amount of time it takes to become a permanent resident.

Breakdown