A new study published in the journal *Mobile DNA* reveals that polar bears are undergoing genetic changes that may help them adapt to global warming. Researchers from the University of East Anglia analyzed blood samples from 17 polar bears in northeast and southeast Greenland and found increased activity of so-called 'jumping genes'—mobile DNA elements that influence other genes’ functions.

The study found that rising temperatures have dramatically boosted the activity of these genes in southeastern Greenland bears, altering genetic pathways linked to metabolism, thermal stress, and food processing. Lead researcher Dr. Alice Godden said the findings suggest a potential genetic blueprint for adaptation to warmer environments, though she cautioned that this does not eliminate extinction risks.

Scientists see the discovery as a sign of evolutionary resilience but stress that reducing carbon emissions remains crucial. Without slowing global warming, genetic adaptation alone may not be enough to secure the species’ survival through the century.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to refrain from making a 'serious mistake' in handling the Venezuela crisis, following Washington’s decision to impose a full blockade on Venezuelan oil tankers. Putin said Moscow maintains constant communication with its ally Caracas and emphasized the need for restraint.

Trump announced the blockade on December 16 via his Truth Social platform, claiming Venezuela uses oil revenues to fund drug trafficking and criminal activities. The move has heightened tensions between Washington and the government of President Nicolás Maduro, though Caracas insists its crude exports remain unaffected. Meanwhile, U.S. military presence in the Caribbean and Pacific regions near Venezuela has reportedly increased, with several deadly strikes reported.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry expressed hope that the White House would avoid a grave error and reiterated Moscow’s firm support for Maduro’s government. Analysts warn that escalating U.S.-Venezuela friction could further destabilize the region and complicate global energy markets.

Global gold prices surged again this week, nearing record highs as investors turned to the precious metal amid a weakening U.S. dollar and falling Treasury yields. In Dubai, 24-carat gold rose to 524.50 dirhams per gram on Thursday, just below the year’s peak of 525.25 dirhams recorded in October. Prices for other purities also climbed, with 22-carat gold at 485.75 dirhams and 18-carat at 399.25 dirhams.

Analysts attribute the rise to concerns over the U.S. Federal Reserve’s independence and fears of political interference, which have heightened uncertainty in financial markets. Hani Abuagla, senior market analyst at XTB MENA, noted that geopolitical tensions across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia are further driving demand for gold as a safe-haven asset.

Experts describe 2025 as a pivotal year for gold, with inflation trends, economic slowdowns, and potential restrictive policies likely to sustain upward pressure on prices. Investors are expected to closely monitor central bank actions and global risk developments in the coming months.

NATO member states have approved the alliance’s 2026 civil and military budgets, allocating €528.2 million (about $623 million) for civilian operations and €2.42 billion (around $3 billion) for military expenditures. The decision was finalized during a meeting of the North Atlantic Council, the organization’s principal political decision-making body.

According to a NATO statement, the 2026 budget aims to strengthen the alliance’s readiness, interoperability, and crisis management capabilities. It will also fund NATO’s command structure, training programs, joint exercises, and capacity-building initiatives for partner nations. Officials emphasized that the budget reflects a fairer distribution of financial responsibilities among member states.

The funding increase comes amid heightened global security concerns and continued efforts to modernize NATO’s defense posture. Analysts note that the budget underscores the alliance’s commitment to collective defense and strategic adaptation as geopolitical tensions persist across Europe and beyond.

WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange has filed a lawsuit against the Nobel Committee, challenging its decision to award the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize to Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado. The legal complaint demands that the Nobel Foundation halt the disbursement of the prize money, reportedly exceeding one million dollars. Assange argues that Machado’s public support for former U.S. President Donald Trump’s military stance and sanctions against Venezuela contradicts the fundamental principles of the Peace Prize.

In his submission, Assange cited Alfred Nobel’s will, which stipulates that the Peace Prize should honor individuals who promote fraternity among nations and work toward disarmament and peace conferences. He contends that Machado’s endorsement of coercive measures undermines these ideals. The lawsuit has sparked debate among human rights advocates and political observers about the interpretation of Nobel’s legacy.

The Nobel Foundation has yet to issue an official response. Legal experts note that while challenges to Nobel decisions are rare, this case could test the boundaries of the committee’s discretion and the moral criteria underpinning the award.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reported that global coal demand, which reached a record high in 2025 at 8.85 billion tonnes, is projected to decline gradually by 2030. The shift is attributed to the rapid expansion of renewable energy, nuclear power, and natural gas-based electricity generation. Despite a 0.5% increase in 2025, the IEA forecasts a steady reduction in coal consumption toward the end of the decade.

IEA Energy Markets and Security Director Keisuke Sadamori noted that the world’s reliance on coal remains strong but is beginning to weaken as clean energy alternatives gain ground. India saw a rare drop in coal use due to increased hydropower output and reduced electricity demand, while U.S. coal consumption rose following a presidential order to support domestic mining. China, the largest coal consumer, maintained stable demand but is expected to see a moderate decline by 2030.

Analysts warn that faster electricity demand growth or slower renewable integration in China could delay the global coal decline, potentially complicating climate targets.

FIFA has announced a record-breaking $50 million prize for the champion of the 2026 World Cup, nearly doubling the reward compared to previous tournaments. The decision, approved at a FIFA Council meeting in Doha, marks a significant increase from the $42 million awarded to the 2022 Qatar winner and $38 million in 2018 Russia.

The total prize pool for the 2026 tournament, to be jointly hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, will reach $655 million—about 50% higher than in Qatar. The runner-up will receive $33 million, while the third and fourth-placed teams will earn $29 million and $27 million respectively. Each of the 48 participating nations will also receive $1.5 million for preparation expenses.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the expanded rewards as a financial milestone for global football, emphasizing that part of the revenue will be reinvested in football development worldwide. The move underscores FIFA’s effort to enhance competitiveness and financial sustainability across the sport.

Cricket fans are set for a busy viewing day on December 18, 2025, as multiple international tournaments air live across major sports networks. The highlight is the third Ashes Test between Australia and England, with the second day’s play starting at 5:30 a.m. on Star Sports. Simultaneously, New Zealand face West Indies in the second Test from 4:00 a.m. on Sony Sports. Later in the day, the Big Bash League features Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes, followed by ILT20 action between Abu Dhabi Knight Riders and Gulf Giants.

Football enthusiasts will also have late-night action as Napoli take on AC Milan in the Supercoppa Italiana, streamed via Bet365 and Fancode. The day’s lineup underscores the global reach of cricket and football, with broadcasters catering to diverse time zones and audiences. Sports analysts note that December’s packed calendar reflects the growing overlap of domestic and international leagues, offering fans continuous live coverage across continents.

FIFA has announced a major revision to its 2026 World Cup ticket pricing following widespread criticism from fans and national football associations. The governing body will now offer a limited number of tickets for each match, including the final, priced at $60 under a new 'Supporter Entry Tier' category. The decision comes after public outrage over previously announced prices that reached as high as $8,680 for the final.

According to the Associated Press, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and the organization reversed their earlier stance amid mounting pressure. Participating nations will receive between 400 and 750 of these lower-priced tickets to distribute among their supporters. Earlier, ticket prices for group-stage matches ranged from $180 to $700, sparking global criticism over affordability.

The revised pricing aims to ease tensions with fans and improve accessibility ahead of the North American-hosted tournament. Analysts suggest the move could help restore FIFA’s public image and ensure greater stadium attendance when the World Cup kicks off in 2026.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has projected that global coal consumption will reach an all-time high of approximately 8.85 billion tons in 2025, marking a 0.5% increase from the previous year. The agency’s annual report, released Wednesday, attributes the growth partly to U.S. policy decisions under the Trump administration aimed at revitalizing industrial sectors.

According to the IEA, China and India remain the primary drivers of global coal use due to rising electricity demand and industrial expansion. While China’s consumption has stabilized, India’s demand has recently declined due to increased hydropower generation from early and intense monsoon seasons. In contrast, U.S. coal demand has risen as higher natural gas prices and federal support have kept coal-fired plants operational.

The IEA warns that coal remains the largest source of human-induced carbon dioxide emissions, significantly contributing to global warming. However, it expects demand to gradually decline toward the end of the decade as renewable energy capacity expands worldwide.

FIFA has announced a new low-cost ticket category for the 2026 World Cup, following criticism over high ticket prices. The “Supporter Entry Tier” tickets, priced at $60, will be available for all 104 matches, including the final. These tickets are reserved for fans of qualified national teams who plan to follow their teams throughout the tournament, and will account for 10% of each federation’s ticket allocation.

The move comes after fan groups, including Football Supporters Europe, condemned the steep pricing compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup, noting that following a team from the group stage to the final could cost at least $6,900. FIFA said the new plan aims to ensure “loyal supporters” receive special consideration. Additionally, fans whose teams are eliminated early will have administrative fees waived during the refund process.

With over 20 million ticket requests already submitted, demand for the 2026 World Cup remains exceptionally high. The first ticket draw is scheduled for January 13, 2026, across host nations the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

French forward Ousmane Dembélé has been named the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, adding to his Ballon d’Or triumph earlier this year. Dembélé outperformed Kylian Mbappé and Lamine Yamal to claim the award after leading Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) to their first-ever UEFA Champions League title. His contributions also secured PSG a domestic treble and a place in their first FIFA Club World Cup final.

In the women’s category, Spain’s Aitana Bonmatí was crowned Best Women’s Player for the third consecutive year, while England coach Sarina Wiegman retained her title as Best Women’s Coach. PSG’s Luis Enrique was named Best Men’s Coach following his team’s European success. The FIFA Fair Play Award went to Dr. Andreas Harlass-Neuking for saving a spectator’s life during a Bundesliga 2 match, and Santiago Montiel won the Puskás Award for his spectacular overhead goal.

Goalkeepers Gianluigi Donnarumma and Hannah Hampton received the Best Goalkeeper honors, rounding off a ceremony that celebrated excellence and sportsmanship across global football.

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) Appeals Chamber on Monday dismissed Israel’s appeal challenging the legality of investigating alleged war crimes in Gaza committed after October 7, 2023. Israel had argued that the investigation was invalid and that the prosecutor should have issued a new notice following recent referrals. The chamber ruled that the post-October 7 incidents fall under the original 2021 notification, confirming that no new notice was required.

The decision preserves the arrest warrants issued in November 2023 against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Legal experts, including Professor Kevin Jon Heller of the University of Copenhagen, welcomed the ruling, noting that Israel could have exercised its complementarity rights but chose not to. The United States has already imposed sanctions on ICC officials involved in the case, including the chief prosecutor and two deputy prosecutors.

The ruling marks a significant step forward for the ICC’s ongoing investigation into alleged war crimes in Palestine, potentially intensifying diplomatic tensions between Israel, the ICC, and its Western allies.

A newly mutated form of the H3N2 seasonal flu virus is spreading across continents, raising global health concerns. Experts report that this strain, which has undergone seven significant mutations, is contributing to a surge in flu cases in countries such as Japan and the United Kingdom. The virus’s rapid transmission is linked to reduced population immunity following years of limited exposure during the pandemic.

Professor Derek Smith, director of the Pathogen Evolution Centre at the University of Cambridge, stated that this variant is almost certain to spread globally. Scientists note that while flu viruses often undergo minor changes, the current mutations appear to have significantly altered the virus’s behavior, making it more transmissible. Public health agencies are urging vaccination, hygiene measures, and early medical consultation to curb the spread.

Health authorities are monitoring the situation closely, warning that the global rise in cases could strain healthcare systems. Updated vaccines and surveillance are being prioritized to mitigate potential outbreaks in the coming months.

FIFA announced that it received five million ticket applications within the first 24 hours of opening sales for the 2026 World Cup, despite widespread criticism over steep price increases. The tournament, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, will feature 48 teams and run from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Fans from more than 200 countries and territories submitted applications through FIFA’s official website.

European fan groups, particularly Football Supporters Europe, have accused FIFA of pricing ordinary fans out of the event, claiming that ticket costs have risen up to fivefold compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Despite the backlash, demand has been strongest from the Americas, with high application volumes from Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and others.

FIFA said the overwhelming response demonstrates the tournament’s broad appeal across the Americas. The random selection draw will continue until January 13, and the timing of applications will not affect selection chances. Successful applicants will have payments processed automatically.