Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has formally submitted an "extraordinary request" for a pardon to President Isaac Herzog's office, seeking to end his protracted corruption trial involving charges of fraud, breach of trust, and accepting bribes. Netanyahu, who denies all wrongdoing and claims the cases are a "witch-hunt," argues that a pardon would serve the national interest by allowing him to focus on governing and unifying the country.
A groundbreaking gene therapy, AMT-130, has demonstrated remarkable potential by significantly slowing the progression of Huntington's disease by 75% in a pivotal Phase I/II clinical study, offering substantial hope for patients with this devastating neurodegenerative disorder. However, despite these promising results, the U.S. FDA recently indicated that the external control data from these studies are no longer considered adequate for a Biologics License Application, introducing uncertainty into its approval timeline.
Cyclone Ditwah has unleashed widespread devastation across Sri Lanka, tragically claiming over 200 lives, leaving 218 people missing, and affecting nearly a million individuals with severe floods and landslides. In response, India launched "Operation Sagar Bandhu" to deliver extensive rescue and humanitarian aid, while Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayake declared a state of emergency and appealed for urgent international assistance.
Scientists at the University of Tokyo, led by Professor Tomonori Totani, have potentially discovered the first direct observational evidence of dark matter by identifying a distinctive halo of high-energy gamma rays using NASA's Fermi Gamma-ray Space Telescope. This groundbreaking finding, which aligns with theoretical predictions for dark matter particle annihilation, could fundamentally rewrite our understanding of the universe and offers a direct glimpse into the elusive substance that has puzzled scientists for decades.
The global economy is currently in a complex transition as 2025 approaches, balancing resilient growth against persistent inflation and escalating geopolitical and trade uncertainties. Despite avoiding a full-scale recession, global GDP is projected to slow from 3.3% in 2024 to 3.2% in 2025, with advanced economies facing subdued growth while emerging markets show robust expansion.
Thousands of Filipinos protested in Manila on November 30, 2025, demanding accountability for a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure scandal involving alleged corruption in critical flood-control projects that left communities vulnerable. This widespread public anger intensified following recent devastating typhoons and the displacement of millions, leading to calls for justice and the prosecution of higher-ranking officials beyond those already arrested.
A catastrophic apartment fire in Hong Kong's Wang Fuk Court has tragically claimed at least 128 lives, marking it as one of the city's deadliest blazes in decades. The inferno, fueled by flammable renovation materials and exacerbated by malfunctioning fire alarms, has sparked a rigorous investigation into alleged corruption and negligence, leading to multiple arrests.
Amidst renewed diplomatic efforts for peace, Russian drone and missile attacks struck Kyiv on Saturday, November 29, resulting in at least three fatalities and significant damage to residential areas. Concurrently, a major Russian oil terminal near Novorossiysk was forced to halt operations after sustaining damage from Ukrainian unmanned boats, showcasing Ukraine's continued strategy of targeting critical Russian infrastructure even as peace talks gain momentum.
In a monumental leap for sustainable energy, France's WEST facility shattered a world record on February 12, 2025, by sustaining a nuclear fusion plasma for an unprecedented 1,337 seconds, or over 22 minutes. This remarkable achievement, reaching 50 million degrees Celsius, significantly advances the global pursuit of fusion power by demonstrating critical long-duration plasma control and material resilience necessary for future commercial reactors.
The technology sector has experienced profound workforce reductions in 2025, with major companies like Intel, Microsoft, Amazon, and Google eliminating over 100,000 positions globally. This widespread downsizing is primarily driven by economic headwinds, the rapid advancement of AI and automation, and a strategic recalibration following pandemic-era overhiring.
Gaza's health ministry has reported a devastating milestone of over 70,000 people killed since the war between Israel and Hamas began more than two years ago, highlighting the immense human cost of the prolonged conflict. Despite a fragile ceasefire taking effect on October 10, 2025, an additional 352 Palestinians, including at least 67 children, have died, intensifying international calls for a robust and lasting peace amid a dire humanitarian crisis.
Russia officially designated Human Rights Watch as an "undesirable" organization on November 28, 2025, effectively banning its operations and imposing severe legal penalties, including potential prison time, for anyone affiliated with the group. This move is part of Russia's escalating repression against civil society and independent monitoring, prompting HRW to vow continued efforts to expose alleged Russian crimes despite the ban.