A powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck off northern Japan early Friday, prompting a tsunami advisory and urging residents to seek higher ground. This latest tremor follows a significant 7.5-magnitude quake earlier in the week, underscoring Japan's vulnerability to frequent seismic activity in the Pacific Ring of Fire.
The U.S. Federal Reserve enacted its third consecutive interest rate reduction on December 10, 2025, lowering the benchmark federal funds rate by 0.25 percentage points to a new target range of 3.50% to 3.75%, bringing the total cuts for the year to 0.75 percentage points. This move aims to stimulate the economy and address a weakening labor market, though future adjustments are expected to be cautious, with only one additional rate cut projected for 2026.
The NHS is currently grappling with a "worst case scenario" this December, as a severe "super flu" surge and escalating Norovirus cases have led to record hospitalizations, with flu admissions up over 55% in just one week. This critical strain on healthcare services is further compounded by an impending five-day strike by resident doctors, threatening to severely disrupt patient care during the health service's busiest period.
European leaders have reached a crucial agreement to provide Ukraine with substantial financial aid through 2027, aiming to address its urgent economic and military needs amidst the ongoing conflict. This significant commitment, which includes the contentious proposal to utilize frozen Russian assets, seeks to cover a large portion of Ukraine's estimated €135-136 billion financial requirement for 2026 and 2027.
In a landmark decision, Pakistan's military court has sentenced former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant General (retired) Faiz Hameed to 14 years in prison for charges including violation of state secrets and misuse of authority. This unprecedented verdict, announced on December 11, 2025, marks the first time a former head of the powerful spy agency has been convicted and is widely seen as a significant move against political involvement by military officers, particularly those allied with former Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Australia has enacted a world-first ban, effective December 10, 2025, preventing individuals under 16 from accessing major social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, driven by escalating concerns over youth mental health and online safety. This groundbreaking legislation mandates that platforms block underage accounts and new sign-ups, with companies facing substantial fines for non-compliance, aiming to foster a childhood lived more offline.
NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope has shattered cosmic records by identifying the earliest supernova ever observed, exploding when the universe was a mere 730 million years old. This groundbreaking discovery, triggered by a gamma-ray burst, offers unprecedented insights into the early universe and stellar evolution, poised to profoundly reshape our understanding of the cosmos' infancy.
A groundbreaking United Nations report reveals that unsustainable food and fossil fuel production inflicts an estimated $5 billion in environmental damage every hour, rapidly undermining global economies, food security, and human health. Experts warn that without radical shifts in governance and economics, an "inevitable collapse" looms, while addressing these issues could yield trillions in annual benefits and avert severe economic and human costs.
Northwestern University scientists have developed the fastest-ever Hepatitis C virus (HCV) diagnostic, providing highly accurate results in just 15 minutes by adapting existing COVID-19 PCR technology. This groundbreaking rapid test is poised to revolutionize diagnosis and accelerate treatment globally, significantly aiding efforts to achieve the World Health Organization's goal of eliminating HCV by 2030.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin is reportedly developing artificial intelligence data centers in space, aiming to harness orbital advantages like continuous solar energy and natural cooling for next-generation AI infrastructure. This ambitious initiative seeks to address the escalating energy and cooling demands of terrestrial data centers, intensifying an emerging "AI space race" with competitors like SpaceX.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has finalized a nearly $140 million contract for six Boeing 737 jets to dramatically expand its capacity for deportation flights, shifting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to operating its own dedicated fleet. This acquisition is a cornerstone of the Trump administration's ambitious plan to deport one million people and launch the "largest deportation program in American history," with officials projecting significant taxpayer savings and enhanced efficiency.
Venezuelan opposition leader Maria Corina Machado has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on December 11, 2025, for her steadfast commitment to advancing democracy and human rights in her home country. This prestigious recognition highlights her persistent efforts to challenge the authoritarian rule of Nicolás Maduro and champion political freedoms, despite facing severe persecution and being barred from running for president.