10 Things Global News - 4th December 2025
Interesting and important news from around the world
Hegseth Scrutinised Over Signal Use In Yemen Strike
Thailand Targets Regional Scam Network Leaders
Macron Presses China On Trade And Ukraine Ceasefire
UN Chief Criticises Israel’s Conduct In Gaza War
Israeli Strike Tests Ceasefire After Soldier Attack
Trump Weakens US Fuel Rules, Reversing EV Push
Kenyan Inquiry Accuses British Troops Of Abuses
Myrnohrad Nearly Encircled As Fighting Intensifies
EU Moves To End Reliance On Russian Energy
India Balances Russia And US Ahead Of Summit
On this day …..
The Observer published its first issue on this day in 1791, becoming what is widely regarded as the world’s oldest Sunday newspaper. Launched during a period of growing public debate and expanding literacy, it helped shape early modern journalism and the culture of weekly political commentary.
Over the following centuries it evolved through major political eras—from empire to industrialisation to modern social reform—while retaining a focus on public affairs.
Its launch is a reminder of how institutions built for informed debate can endure across radically shifting political landscapes.
Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth faces renewed scrutiny after a Pentagon watchdog found that his use of the Signal app to share real-time military plans risked endangering U.S. personnel. According to sources familiar with the findings, he conveyed precise timings for strikes against Houthi militants, including when bombs would drop, and did so in multiple group chats that included senior officials and, inadvertently, a journalist.
However, the report also noted that Hegseth holds classification authority and did not improperly declassify information, adding complexity to the assessment. Meanwhile, the investigation found he violated Pentagon policy by using a personal device for official business and highlighted gaps in training around secure communications.
In contrast, the fallout has widened as lawmakers from both parties question his judgement, pointing to earlier controversies and stating that similar conduct by lower-ranking personnel would lead to dismissal.
Sources: CNN, Associated Press
Thailand has seized assets worth more than $300m and issued arrest warrants for 42 people in a major crackdown on regional online scam networks. Authorities said the assets included shares in a large energy company and were linked to Chinese-Cambodian tycoon Chen Zhi, along with Cambodian nationals Kok An and Yim Leak. They are accused of involvement in transnational fraud operations that have exploited trafficking victims across border areas in Southeast Asia.
However, the suspected masterminds behind the networks have largely avoided arrest despite hundreds of detentions across the region. Meanwhile, investigators said they found information connecting the networks to online fraud, human trafficking and money-laundering, though they gave no further details. In addition, enforcement actions in Hong Kong and Singapore recently froze or seized assets tied to the Prince Group, the firm Chen heads.
Sources: The Guardian, Reuters
Emmanuel Macron has arrived in China for a three-day state visit focused on economic cooperation and high-level diplomacy, as he seeks to balance commercial aims with the unresolved conflict in Ukraine. His office said he will promote deeper trade collaboration and defend fair and reciprocal market access, with both sides expected to sign agreements covering the energy, food industry and aviation sectors.
However, the visit takes place against the backdrop of Europe’s substantial trade deficit with China, which exceeded 300 billion euros last year. France and the European Union describe China as simultaneously a partner, a competitor and a systemic rival, reflecting recent disputes over electric vehicles and agricultural products.
Meanwhile, Macron plans to set out France’s position directly to Xi Jinping after meeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier this week, arguing that Beijing’s influence could help move Russia toward a ceasefire.
Sources: Associated Press, France 24
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said there was something fundamentally wrong with how Israel conducted its military operation in Gaza, arguing that the campaign caused widespread destruction without achieving its stated objective of destroying Hamas. He told Reuters there had been total neglect regarding civilian deaths and damage across the enclave, and said there were strong reasons to believe war crimes may have been committed.
However, Israel did not immediately respond to his latest remarks, although it has previously criticised his statements about the conflict. A fragile truce has been in place since October, but Israel has continued to carry out strikes and demolitions, saying they target Hamas infrastructure. The Gaza health ministry says more than 70,000 Palestinians have been killed during the two-year conflict.
Meanwhile, Guterres praised the United States for its cooperation on improving aid access, noting that the UN had faced obstacles in delivering humanitarian assistance.
Sources: Times of Israel, The New Arab
Israel said it launched an airstrike in southern Gaza late Wednesday after militants emerged from a tunnel and wounded five soldiers, in an incident that further tested a fragile ceasefire in place since October. Hamas condemned the strike in Khan Younis, while Gaza’s civil defence agency said five people, including two children, were killed in a related attack in the nearby al Mawasi area.
However, the confrontation unfolded alongside sensitive negotiations over hostages and the next phase of the ceasefire plan. Israel received additional human remains on Wednesday as part of exchanges linked to the Oct. 7 attack, while Palestinian militants said they had located more remains in northern Gaza.
Meanwhile, disputes continued over reopening the Rafah crossing. Israel said Palestinians wishing to leave Gaza would require security approval and could not return until all hostages’ remains were recovered, while Egypt insisted movement must operate in both directions.
Sources: Associated Press, The Guardian
President Donald Trump has moved to weaken US fuel efficiency standards, reversing Biden-era rules that were designed to accelerate the shift toward electric vehicles. He said the previous requirements forced automakers to use expensive technologies that increased prices, arguing that the revised plan would lower the cost of new cars. The new proposal would reduce the target for model year 2031 to an average of 34.5 miles per gallon, compared with the 50.4 miles per gallon standard set under President Biden.
However, the announcement comes after carmakers invested heavily in electric vehicles during the previous administration and now face uncertainty over conflicting policies. Executives at Ford and other companies welcomed the change publicly, though some have raised concerns about market volatility.
Environmental groups warned that weaker rules would increase emissions and fuel costs while slowing progress on cleaner transport. The plan will undergo a formal rule-making process before being finalised.
Sources: New York Times, BBC
A Kenyan parliamentary inquiry has accused British troops stationed near Nanyuki of decades of human rights violations, environmental damage and sexual abuse. The investigation examined testimony from civilians, community leaders and public agencies, and said the British Army Training Unit in Kenya repeatedly declined to appear before the committee and invoked diplomatic immunity.
However, the report documented extensive allegations, including rape, assault and the abandonment of children fathered by soldiers. It also cited longstanding concerns over unresolved killings, including the 2012 death of Agnes Wanjiru, whose case has faced delays and alleged interference. A former British soldier has been arrested and now faces extradition.
MPs said military exercises caused ecological damage and posed risks to nearby communities, noting bushfires, unexploded ordnance and harm to wildlife habitats in Laikipia and Samburu. The committee recommended new codes of conduct, stronger oversight and mechanisms to ensure accountability. The UK said it regretted the challenges and stood ready to investigate new evidence.
Sources: The Guardian, BBC
New drone footage shows extensive destruction in the Ukrainian town of Myrnohrad, where barely a street remains untouched after months of Russian assaults. The town lies 12 kilometres from Pokrovsk, a key logistics hub that Moscow claims to control. Ukrainian officials say soldiers remain inside the town, supported by ground robot drones carrying food and water as traditional supply routes come under pressure.
However, the fighting has grown more intense as Russian forces continue to close in. Ukrainian units say they can rarely rotate personnel and describe holding the town as requiring sustained and difficult effort. Myrnohrad, once home to about 46,000 people, has suffered repeated attacks using glide bombs, drones and artillery, leaving it largely uninhabitable.
Russia’s recent battlefield gains have shaped negotiations with the United States over a potential plan to end the war. Ukrainian officials insist they are still fighting in nearby Pokrovsk and continue to call for Western support.
Sources: Associated Press, The Independent
The European Union has agreed a plan to permanently phase out Russian gas imports, marking what senior officials described as the start of full energy independence from Moscow. The deal sets fixed deadlines to end LNG imports by the end of 2026 and pipeline gas by late 2027, with limited extensions tied to storage levels. Long term, all remaining Russian oil is also due to be phased out under the same political framework.
However, the shift reflects more than a timetable. It follows a sharp fall in Russia’s share of EU gas supply since the invasion of Ukraine, and a broader effort to prevent Moscow from using energy as leverage. As a result, the agreement includes safeguards to monitor gas origin, restrict contract changes and ensure transparency on remaining flows.
European leaders said the move will strengthen security, reduce exposure to price shocks and reinforce support for Ukraine by depleting Russian revenue. The Commission added that the transition will open new energy partnerships and stabilise markets as alternative supplies increase. The move does carry the risk of locking the EU into expensive sources of energy in the long term.
Sources: Euronews, European Commission
India’s balancing act between Russia and the US takes centre stage as Vladimir Putin arrives in New Delhi for his first visit since the start of the Ukraine war. His trip comes amid renewed US pressure on India, including tariffs and sanctions threats over its purchases of discounted Russian crude, which had surged after 2022. As a result, New Delhi faces the most delicate phase of its long-standing effort to preserve ties with both powers.
Putin’s visit marks the return of the annual India–Russia summit after a four-year gap, and he will be accompanied by senior ministers and defence industry executives. Meanwhile, the bilateral agenda is broad, covering defence cooperation, energy, trade and labour mobility. India’s reliance on Russian systems remains significant, and Moscow sees the summit as a chance to signal it is not isolated.
However, the backdrop is shifting. Indian imports of Russian crude are falling after new US sanctions on major Russian oil firms, and New Delhi is negotiating simultaneous trade deals with the US, EU and the Eurasian Economic Union. Analysts say a peace deal in Ukraine could help ease the strategic tension.