Economy and Finance

• Global markets experienced a sharp decline on December 10, reflecting growing investor anxiety over the economic outlook. Fears of slowing growth, rising inflation, and potential recession led to significant drops in major stock indices worldwide, with some markets plunging over 3%. Central banks globally announced a pause in aggressive rate hikes, opting for a cautious approach to prevent further economic deterioration.
• The US Federal Reserve cut interest rates by a quarter-percentage point, bringing the fed funds rate to a range of 3.5% to 3.75%. This move was largely anticipated by financial markets.
• Conversely, the Bank of Canada maintained its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5%.
• A report indicated that workers in 19 US states and 49 cities and counties are set to see minimum wage increases starting January 1, 2026.
• The UN reported that global trade is projected to reach an all-time high of $35 trillion in 2025, despite ongoing geopolitical tensions.
• The India-U.S. rice tariff issue re-emerged, with former US President Donald Trump hinting at fresh tariffs on Indian rice exports, alleging "dumping" in the US market.
• The International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $1.2 billion disbursement for Pakistan.
• Microsoft announced a significant investment of $17.5 billion in India for 2026–2029, aimed at strengthening AI infrastructure and developing population-scale AI solutions.
• The Adani Group pledged over $75 billion investment in the energy transition sector over five years, focusing on green hydrogen, renewables, and green steel.

Science and Technology

• Scientists announced the discovery of Ice XXI, a new form of water created under extreme pressure, freezing in microseconds.
• New measurements using gravitational lensing suggested a twist in the Universe's expansion rate, not aligning with previous observations.
• Researchers observed a black hole generating near light-speed winds within hours following a brief X-ray flare.
• GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic, were associated with a slightly lower likelihood of epilepsy risk, revealing a possible hidden effect.
• AI, specifically AlphaFold 3, was leveraged to identify a previously overlooked monkeypox protein, revealing a hidden weak spot for new vaccines.
• A surprising weak point was found in a rare genetic disease, where reducing a gene called FDX2 could help cells survive damage.
• Solar neutrino events were detected deep underground, showing ghost particles changing carbon-13 into nitrogen-13.
• A compound found in dark chocolate, theobromine, was linked to slower aging.
• New research revealed Earth's solid inner core is in a superionic state, with carbon atoms flowing freely through a solid iron lattice, explaining its softened behavior and contributing to Earth's magnetic field.
• NASA highlighted 25 years of International Space Station technology driving exploration, including advancements in robotics, air/water recycling, and 3D printing for deep space missions.
• XPRIZE Quantum Applications named seven finalists advancing approaches toward real-world quantum impact.
• The Energy Department affirmed AI, quantum computing, and fusion energy as its top research priorities, aligning with goals to ensure US leadership in AI.
• US Senator Ron Wyden urged support for restoring the public's voice on science-based healthcare, advocating for transparency in public health policies.

International Relations and Politics

• Bolivia's new right-wing government announced its intention to restore diplomatic relations with Israel, two years after its previous left-wing administration severed ties over the Gaza campaign.
• The US released its National Security Strategy (NSS) 2025, which marks a departure from post-Cold War foreign policy, emphasizing a "Make America Great Again (MAGA)" agenda focused on direct US security and prosperity interests.
• Hamas called for increased international pressure on Israel before agreeing to the next phase of the US-brokered Gaza ceasefire deal, demanding the opening of key border crossings and increased humanitarian aid.
• NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Ambassador Boris Ruge, visited Moldova to discuss strengthening political dialogue and practical cooperation, respecting Moldova's neutrality.
• French lawmakers narrowly approved the draft 2026 Social Security budget bill, marking a provisional victory for the government.
• The UN clarified its stance on Gaza's borders, affirming its position against any changes to the original boundary, following statements by Israeli officials.
• Negotiations between the UK and the EU continued to progress, with discussions focusing on a renewed agenda for cooperation, including a Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) agreement and linkage of Emissions Trading Systems (ETS).
• Former US President Donald Trump publicly urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to accept a peace deal with Russia, stating Ukraine was "losing" the war.
• Honduran President Xiomara Castro accused former US President Trump of interfering in Honduras's recent election and alleged an "electoral coup."
• Lithuania declared a state of emergency following balloon incursions from Belarus.
• Anderj Babis was sworn in as the new Prime Minister of the Czech Republic.

Social Welfare and Human Rights

• Human Rights Day was observed globally on December 10, commemorating the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) in 1948. The 2025 theme, “Human Rights, Our Everyday Essentials,” emphasized the foundational role of rights in daily life.
• Australia became the first country to ban social media use for children under 16, aiming to mitigate online risks, a move sparking debate over digital freedom.
• The Supreme Court in the US deliberated on the role of IQ scores in determining intellectual disability for individuals facing capital punishment, a critical aspect of the "cruel and unusual" punishment debate.
• Karnataka's Hate Speech Bill, 2025, was among the key legislative discussions.
• A cyber slavery racket operating in Southeast Asia was highlighted.

Awards and Appointments

• UNESCO officially inscribed Deepavali, India's festival of lights, on its Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognizing its cultural, spiritual, and social significance.
• María Corina Machado, the recipient of the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize, was unable to attend the award ceremony in Oslo, with her daughter accepting the prize on her behalf due to security concerns.
• Keir Starmer, the Labour Party leader, appointed 25 new Labour peers to the House of Lords, including former senior government and party aides, to strengthen his party's support in the upper house.
• Edelman appointed Anna Vogt as its new Global Chief Strategy Officer, tasked with leading the firm's global strategy community and advancing its focus on effectiveness and earned-first brand building.
• Sophie Hutcherson was reappointed as a non-executive director to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) board for a second three-year term.
• Peter Fitzgerald was appointed as the Chief Investment Officer at Lloyds Banking Group, bringing over 25 years of expertise in multi-asset investing.
• Phillip Bretnall was named senior adviser at Smart, contributing over 40 years of experience in the global retirement and pensions industry.
• Gareth Rollings was appointed the new Chair of the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC).
• Martin Hyde was seconded to Defra to serve as Industry Liaison for the upcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).
• Indian-origin YouTube chief Neel Mohan was named "TIME CEO of the Year 2025" for his leadership in expanding the platform's global reach.

Sports (Non-Cricket)

• Football superstar Lionel Messi's highly anticipated India tour is scheduled to begin this week, with events planned across four cities: Kolkata, Hyderabad, Mumbai, and New Delhi. This mega-event aims to promote football through showcases, celebrity appearances, and youth engagement activities.
• Discussions were held regarding India's contingent for the 2026 Asian Games in Japan, with a sports ministry committee considering allowing qualified athletes, even non-medal prospects, to travel, potentially with federations covering expenses.
• The ISSF World Cup Final 2025 in Doha concluded, with India securing second place with a total of six medals (two gold, three silver, one bronze).
• The SportzPower Pro Leagues Forum 2025 in Mumbai focused on enhancing fan experience in non-cricket professional leagues through technology and data collection.