December 5, 2008 (Friday)
- The Federated States of Micronesia recognize Kosovo. (New Kosova Report)
- O. J. Simpson is sentenced to 15-33 years in prison with eligibility for parole after 9 years for kidnapping and robbery of two sports memorabilia dealers in a Las Vegas, Nevada, casino. (Los Angeles Times) (AFP via Melbourne Age)
- Global financial crisis of 2008: the United States Department of Labor reports that nonfarm payrolls contracted by 533,000 in November, the worst monthly job loss since 1974. (MarketWatch)
- Sri Lankan Civil War: the Sri Lankan military enters Alampil, nearing the primary LTTE-held town of Mullaitivu. (BBC)
- NASA delays the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory by two years because of lengthening delays and lingering technical issues. (NY Times)
- A bombing in the Pakistani province of Peshawar kills 17 people. (Associated Press)
- MIT says it has succeeded in using radio waves to mix 50,000,000 °C plasma at its Alcator C-Mod fusion reactor. (Electronic Engineering Times)
- First commercial use of Evolved HSPA cellular technology by Australian operator Telstra. (ITWire)