Politics and International Relations
In a major political upheaval, armed forces in Guinea-Bissau seized power in a military coup, leading to the arrest of President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. Horta Inta-A Na Man has been proclaimed as the head of a transitional government following the coup.
Diplomatic discussions continued regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The Prime Minister of the UK, along with Presidents Zelenskyy of Ukraine and Macron of France, held talks focusing on Ukraine's long-term security and exploring the utilization of immobilized Russian sovereign assets to support Ukraine's regeneration and armed forces. Meanwhile, reports also emerged of Trump's envoy engaging in exploratory talks with Russian President Putin, alongside Russia's criticism of NATO's remarks on pre-emptive strikes. The G20 presidency officially transitioned from South Africa to the United States on December 1st.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that Khaled Mohamed Ali El Hishri was surrendered to its custody on December 1, 2025. El Hishri, a Libyan national, was arrested in Germany in July 2025 based on an ICC warrant. The UN Security Council has outlined its December work programme, which includes signature debates on Afghanistan and "leadership for peace," as well as a planned visit to the Middle East.
Disasters and Social Welfare
Several regions were hit by devastating natural disasters. Flooding and landslides caused by Cyclone Ditwah have resulted in at least 370 deaths across Sri Lanka and India. Similarly, Cyclone Senyar led to over 400 fatalities and many missing persons in Indonesia. An apartment complex fire in Hong Kong tragically claimed the lives of at least 151 people. In Peru, a landslide struck a river port, killing at least twelve people and leaving around 50 others missing after two boats were submerged.
December 1st was observed as World AIDS Day, drawing attention to the HIV/AIDS epidemic globally. Aid cuts have been highlighted as severely impacting HIV/AIDS care, potentially leading to millions more infections. December 2nd marks National Pollution Control Day and the International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, raising awareness on environmental protection and human rights.
Science & Technology
Australia has launched its National AI Plan, a strategic initiative aimed at harnessing artificial intelligence to foster a fairer and stronger nation, ensuring that all Australians benefit from technological advancements. In a significant development for quantum computing, researchers have unveiled a new technique that can validate the results of quantum computers, particularly Gaussian Boson Samplers (GBS) devices, in minutes instead of millennia. This breakthrough exposes hidden errors and marks a crucial step towards reliable quantum machines.
Further scientific discoveries include the identification of a new state of matter at Earth's center by Chinese researchers, characterized by superionic, liquid-like interstitial carbon in iron-carbon alloys. Intriguing reports also suggest that a fungus discovered at the Chernobyl nuclear disaster site might be feeding on radiation, a process known as radiosynthesis, which could have implications for shielding astronauts from cosmic rays. Additionally, scientists have successfully created human egg cells from skin cells, a method that could potentially aid infertile individuals and male couples in the future.
Economy
The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is set to release its latest Economic Outlook today, December 2nd, providing analysis and projections for the global economy. On Wall Street, markets closed lower, with crypto stocks experiencing a notable drop, as investors anticipate a potential rate cut from the Federal Reserve at its upcoming policy meeting. Discussions around US trade policy continue, with the second term of President Trump expected to see an escalation in protectionist measures, impacting global trade patterns.
Sports
In non-cricket sports, the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) is scheduled to be held in Morocco from December 2025 to January 2026. The expanded FIFA Club World Cup is also set to have its inaugural edition in its new quadrennial format. Other major women's sporting events scheduled for 2025 include the UEFA Women's Euro in Switzerland and the FIFA Futsal Women's World Cup in the Philippines. India's Junior Women's team secured a decisive 13-0 victory against Namibia in their opening match of the Junior Women's World Cup.