US President Donald Trump has been awarded the first-ever FIFA Peace Prize. The award was presented to him during FIFA World Cup 2026 draw ceremony. Trump has previously described himself as a "president of peace" and campaigned for Nobel Peace Prize. The award has been designed for "individuals who help unite people in peace through unwavering commitment and special actions".

Quanta has raised $15M in Series A funding led by Accel, with participation from Operator Collective, Naval Ravikant and others. The company also launched Prism, its new AI reporting layer that delivers real-time cash, revenue and expense insights by syncing data continuously across banking, payroll and spend systems.

Meghan Markle's estranged father, Thomas Markle, 81, underwent emergency surgery in Cebu, Philippines, amputating part of his left leg below the knee after a blood clot turned his foot blue then black. His son says the next 72 hours are critical for infection risks. Meghan has made no comment on the family rift since 2018.

The Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran has announced a new round of applications for its free of cost Persian language classes in Hyderabad. Registrations are now open for the next batch of Persian (Farsi) language classes. These classes aim to promote cultural and linguistic understanding by providing in-depth lessons in Farsi, taught by a native instructor.

Maj Gen Sudhakar Jee (Retd) that Asim Munir's unchecked powers as Pakistan's new Chief of Defence Forces pose a serious threat to India. He warned that Pakistan's nuclear command now lies under Munir, bypassing democratic control. With no judicial or institutional checks left, he said the situation is "very-very dangerous" for India and the world.

During draw for FIFA World Cup 2026, US President Donald Trump said soccer should be renamed to football in the US. "We seem to never call it (football) because we have a little bit of...conflict with another thing that's called football," he said. "We have to come up with another name for NFL. It really doesn’t make sense," he added.

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor was invited to attend State dinner in honour of Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. However, Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and leader Rahul Gandhi have not been invited to the dinner. "It is quite surprising an invitation was sent and accepted also," Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera said in a dig at Tharoor.

Pakistan Army's DG ISPR Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry called former Prime Minister Imran Khan "mentally ill". He further accused him of constructing politically motivated narrative, endangering national security. He condemned divisions between the armed forces and citizens and said, "Keep the army out of your politics." This comes after Khan accused Asim Munir of torture in jail.

The World Book of Records, London, has recognised Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the "milestone" of taking oath as CM for the 10th time. Announcing this, JD(U) national working president Sanjay Jha said on X, "This is a proud moment for Bihar and a tribute to a leader whose steady commitment continues to guide the state's progress."

California-based Reflect Orbital plans to launch thousands of Mylar-mirror satellites to reflect sunlight onto Earth’s dark regions. The company claims the system could boost solar power and aid rescue missions, but scientists warn it may disrupt ecosystems, astronomy, and human health. The first prototype satellite launches in 2026.

On Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India, Chinese state media quoted expert Li Haidong as saying that India and Russia sent a clear message amid Western pressure on New Delhi to reduce trade with Moscow. "Through Putin's visit, India and Russia have jointly sent a clear message to the outside world: neither country is isolated," Li stated.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a silver tea set from West Bengal, a handcrafted silver horse from Maharashtra, and a handcrafted marble chess set from Agra to Russian President Vladimir Putin on his India visit. The PM also gifted Putin GI tagged fine black tea from Assam and saffron from Kashmir, which is locally known as Kong or Zaffran.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed the possibility of building a second nuclear power plant with Russian-designed reactors in India during the latter's visit. India has committed to allocating a site for the project, according to a joint statement issued on Friday. Russia is currently helping build the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant in Tamil Nadu.

The menu of the State banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu for Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday at Rashtrapati Bhavan has surfaced online. It included appetisers like 'Gucchi Doon Chetin' and 'Vegetable Jhol Momo with Chutney' while main course included 'Zafrani Paneer Roll' and 'Paalak Methi Mattar Ka Saag'. Desserts included 'Kesar-Pista Kulfi' and 'Badam Ka Halwa'.

Following failed peace talks between the two countries, Pakistan and Afghanistan on Friday exchanged heavy fire along their border. Afghan Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid accused Pakistani forces of launching attacks in Spin Boldak district of Kandahar province, while a spokesperson for Pakistani PM Shehbaz Sharif accused Afghan forces of "unprovoked firing" along Chaman border.

Olympic gold medalist Alina Kabaeva, once Russia’s rhythmic gymnastics icon, now wields major influence as chair of the Kremlin-linked National Media Group. Reports suggest her wealth exceeds $100 million, with ties to luxury properties and Western sanctions over alleged links to Vladimir Putin. Her guarded, high-profile life continues to fuel global intrigue.

The IPCC's new assessment cycle begins as climate denial resurges, with chairman Jim Skea urging scientists to communicate clearly that humans are unquestionably driving global warming. He highlights the need for major emission cuts, carbon removal research, and strong government support. Despite challenges, the IPCC aims to deliver a rigorous report by 2028-2029 to guide global climate action.

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced reducing the validity of work permits issued to Green Card applicants, refugees and asylum seekers from five years to just 18 months. This would "ensure that those seeking to work in US don't threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies", the agency said. This comes a week after DC's National Guard shooting.

A person drove a vehicle into a crowd during Christmas event preparations in Sainte-Anne in French overseas territory of Guadeloupe, leaving at least 19 victims, including 10 deaths. According to a report by Radio Caraïbes Internationale Guadeloupe, three victims are said to be in serious condition. According to witnesses, the driver may have suffered a medical episode at the wheel.

After initial hearing on the new constitutional petition on the alleged violation of visa rules by Sikh pilgrim Sarabjit Kaur from India, the Lahore High Court issued a notice to the state. It was mentioned in the petition that Kaur has been going to places other than the scheduled pilgrimage and continuing to stay in Pakistan despite expiry of visa.

A 36-year-old Austrian man was charged with manslaughter after he allegedly left his 33-year-old girlfriend to freeze to death on Grossglockner, Austria's highest mountain, according to reports. Authorities claim the man, an experienced mountaineer, continued the climb despite his partner's inexperience and failed to call emergency services before nightfall. He abandoned her for over six hours.

US announced 71,321 job cuts in November 2025, pushing year-to-date total to 1.17 million, becoming the first year since 2020 to exceed 1.1 million layoffs, according to Challenger, Gray & Christmas report. The hardest-hit sectors include technology with over 1,50,000 job cuts and government with 3,00,000 layoffs. Tariffs cited as reason for 2,000 cuts in November and 8,000 in 2025.