Here's a summary of important world current affairs from December 15-16, 2025:
International Relations & Conflicts
Cambodia-Thailand Border Conflict
An ongoing border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand continues to be a major concern in Southeast Asia. The Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM) on the situation, initially scheduled for December 16, has been postponed to December 22 at Thailand's request. China has called for utmost restraint and measures conducive to a ceasefire to de-escalate tensions. In response to resumed clashes, Thailand's military has stopped fuel shipments through its border crossing with Laos, citing intelligence that supplies were being diverted to Cambodian forces. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense reported that Thai military forces attacked further into Cambodian sovereign territory, leading to nearly 395,000 displaced Cambodian civilians.
Sudan Conflict & Regional Tensions
Minni Arko Minnawi, chairman of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Governor of Darfur, urged Germany to pressure the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to cease its support for the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), describing it as an act of "aggression" against Sudan. Meanwhile, the UN has warned of a potential 'regional conflict' in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where over 500,000 people have been displaced since December 1 due to intense fighting in South Kivu Province.
Diplomatic Engagements
Laos and South Korea have agreed to upgrade their bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership. India's External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar, is set to co-chair the 16th India-UAE Joint Commission meeting in Abu Dhabi to strengthen ties across various sectors. Additionally, India and Brazil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation in the maintenance of Scorpene-class submarines, strengthening their maritime and defense partnership. The Philippine Senate has ratified a reciprocal access agreement with Japan, allowing their militaries to visit each other's countries.
Politics & Governance
Elections and Government Formations
Chile has elected far-right Jose Antonio Kast as its next President. In the Czech Republic, President Petr Pavel appointed the new cabinet led by Andrej Babis following the recent parliamentary elections. Lord Fakafanua has been elected as Tonga's next prime minister. In other political news, Kyrgyz Prime Minister Akylbek Japarov was dismissed from his post due to a transfer to another position. Bulgaria's Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his government resigned after two weeks of protests.
Domestic Policies & Appointments
France welcomed the release of 123 prisoners in Belarus, including several political prisoners such as Maria Kolesnikova, Viktar Babaryka, and Nobel Peace Laureate Ales Bialiatski, through US mediation. In India, the Centre plans to introduce the "Viksit Bharat—Guarantee For Rozgar And Ajeevika Mission (Gramin)" Bill to replace the existing Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). Raj Kumar Goyal was sworn in as India's new Chief Information Commissioner. Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a three-nation tour to Jordan, Ethiopia, and Oman. The Union government also tabled the Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill, 2025, aiming to restructure India's higher education regulatory framework.
Science, Technology & Economy
Technological Advancements & Economic Growth
The scale of China's core artificial intelligence (AI) industry is projected to exceed 1.2 trillion yuan (about 170 billion USD) by 2025. India ranks third in the 'Artificial Intelligence (AI) Vibrancy' index 2025 by Stanford University. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $240 million loan, the second tranche of the Chennai Metro Rail Investment Project, to support the expansion of Chennai's metro network. Singapore plans to progressively roll out 660 new electric public buses from the end of 2026. ISRO is preparing for 7 launches, including an uncrewed Gaganyaan mission, by March 2026.
Economic Indicators
The Indian Rupee slumped 25 paise to an all-time low of 90.74 against the U.S. dollar. The Union Cabinet approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for the 2026 season. A report by NCAER on employment in India indicated that recent employment growth is mainly driven by necessity-based self-employment in low-technology, subsistence household enterprises, with India's per capita GDP remaining relatively low.
Social Welfare & Environment
Tragedy and Safety
A fatal mass shooting occurred at a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney's Bondi Beach, resulting in 16 deaths, with a father and son identified as the attackers. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese declared the incident an act of terrorism and stated that his government would consider introducing stricter gun ownership laws. In France, firefighters responded to multiple incidents related to black ice, prompting warnings for public safety.
Environmental Initiatives
The United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) adopted India's resolution on "Strengthening the Global Management of Wildfires," emphasizing international cooperation and proactive prevention. A global crackdown on environmental crime, coordinated by Interpol, seized over 30,000 live animals, protected plants, and illegally logged timber. India's cheetah reintroduction program is expanding, with Madhya Pradesh set to develop the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve as its third cheetah habitat. India now has 96 Ramsar Sites as of December 2025, with Kopra Reservoir (Chhattisgarh) and Siliserh Lake (Rajasthan) recently added.
Cultural Heritage
UNESCO has added several endangered traditional arts and crafts to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, including Boreendo (Pakistan), Mwazindika Dance (Kenya), and Dong Ho Folk Woodblock Printing (Vietnam).
Awards & Appointments
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty was elected as the first woman president of the Press Club of India. Senegal has been elected to lead the Commission of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) for the 2026-2030 term.
Sports (Non-Cricket)
India secured the gold medal at the Squash World Cup 2025, defeating Hong Kong (China). Hyundai Motor extended its title sponsorship of the World Archery Championships and World Cup through 2028, expanding to include Para Archery and Indoor Archery World Series, highlighting its commitment to inclusivity and innovation in the sport. In alpine skiing, Norway's Timon Haugan won first place in the World Cup Slalom event in Val d'Isère. In football, Manchester City secured a 3-0 victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.