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.

A newly mutated strain of the H3N2 influenza virus is spreading rapidly across continents, prompting global health experts to issue warnings about a potentially severe flu season. The variant, first linked to outbreaks in Japan and the United Kingdom, has now been detected worldwide. Scientists attribute the surge partly to reduced population immunity, as people have had limited exposure to flu viruses in recent years.

Researchers at Cambridge University and the Francis Crick Institute report that the H3N2 'subclade K' strain carries seven new mutations, making it antigenically distinct from previous forms. Although symptoms may not be more severe than typical flu, experts caution that lower immunity could lead to higher infection rates and hospitalizations, particularly among the elderly and vulnerable. Current flu vaccines may offer only partial protection, though health authorities stress that some immunity is better than none.

Public health agencies in the UK and Japan have urged vaccination, hygiene measures, and temporary school closures to curb transmission. Experts warn that this season’s mismatch between circulating strains and vaccines could test global preparedness for respiratory outbreaks.

Google co-founder Larry Page has climbed to the second spot on Forbes’ list of the world’s richest individuals, surpassing Oracle’s Larry Ellison. As of December 1, Page’s net worth reached $262 billion, marking a $30 billion increase in just one month. The rapid growth of Alphabet’s artificial intelligence ventures has been a key factor behind his wealth surge.

Despite market volatility, the dominance of technology leaders in global wealth rankings remains evident, with nine of the top ten billionaires coming from the tech sector. Page, 52, has largely withdrawn from public appearances and Alphabet’s daily operations, focusing instead on futuristic projects such as the flying taxi startup Kitty Hawk. In contrast, peers like Mark Zuckerberg maintain a more public profile.

Elon Musk continues to hold the top position with an estimated $483 billion, despite controversies over Tesla’s compensation package and valuation debates around xAI. The combined wealth of the top ten billionaires stands at $2.4 trillion, underscoring the enduring influence of technology in global capital markets.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has come under intense criticism after presenting a peace prize to former U.S. President Donald Trump during the World Cup draw ceremony on December 5. The move has sparked debate within the global football community, with many accusing Infantino of breaching FIFA’s strict political neutrality rules.

Human rights group FairSquare submitted a formal complaint, alleging that Infantino violated four specific neutrality provisions by honoring a sitting political figure. Critics argue that such recognition undermines FIFA’s commitment to impartiality and could damage the organization’s credibility. The FIFA Ethics Committee has been urged to investigate the matter.

Trump, upon receiving the award, described it as one of the greatest honors of his life, claiming his administration helped prevent conflicts in regions such as Congo and between India and Pakistan. The controversy now places Infantino under scrutiny, with potential implications for FIFA’s governance and its approach to political engagement in global sports.

OpenAI has dismissed recent speculation that advertisements are being introduced into ChatGPT, clarifying that no active ad testing or deployment is underway. The company’s ChatGPT head, Nick Turley, stated that users will instead gain more control over the app’s suggestion section, which had sparked confusion after screenshots resembling ads circulated online.

Turley emphasized that the screenshots shared by some users were either fake or misinterpreted, and reiterated that OpenAI has not conducted any live advertising experiments. He added that if the company ever decides to introduce ads, it will do so transparently and with user interests in mind. Meanwhile, Chief Research Officer Mark Chen confirmed that the suggestion feature has been temporarily disabled as the team explores ways to enhance user customization.

The clarification comes as OpenAI refocuses on improving ChatGPT’s user experience following Google’s release of its Gemini 3 model. CEO Sam Altman has reportedly instructed staff to pause new feature rollouts temporarily to strengthen the platform’s performance and reliability.

Football fans around the world are anticipating a potential clash between Brazil and Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, marking what could be their first World Cup encounter in 36 years. The two South American giants last met in the tournament in 1990, when Argentina edged out Brazil in the Round of 16. The possibility of a new showdown depends heavily on how both teams perform in the group stage of the expanded 2026 edition.

If both Brazil and Argentina top their respective groups, they would only meet in the semifinals or later. Even if both finish as runners-up, a semifinal meeting would remain the earliest possible stage. However, if one team qualifies as a third-placed side, the knockout bracket could create an earlier encounter, though the exact stage would depend on final group standings and FIFA’s knockout schedule.

The official knockout pathway is expected to be clarified once FIFA finalizes the 2026 World Cup bracket, fueling excitement among fans and analysts awaiting a possible renewal of one of football’s fiercest rivalries.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has been awarded the FIFA Peace Award, recognizing his claimed contributions to global peace initiatives. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the honor, emphasizing football’s role as a symbol of unity and the importance of acknowledging individuals who bring people together in turbulent times.

According to FIFA, Trump was recognized for his involvement in peace efforts linked to the Abraham Accords and mediation attempts in conflicts involving Rwanda–DR Congo, Cambodia–Thailand, Kosovo–Serbia, India–Pakistan, Egypt–Ethiopia, Armenia–Azerbaijan, and Israel–Hamas, as well as his continued efforts regarding the Russia–Ukraine conflict. Infantino previously remarked that Trump’s mediation work after the Israel–Gaza ceasefire was comparable to Nobel Peace Prize–level efforts.

However, the decision has drawn criticism. Outlets like The New York Times noted that Trump’s claims of ending multiple wars remain disputed, and Human Rights Watch has questioned FIFA’s transparency in the nomination and selection process, saying the organization has not responded to its inquiries.

Apple is expected to introduce a new budget-friendly model, the iPhone 17e, as part of its upcoming iPhone 17 series in early 2026, according to international media reports. The device will reportedly feature Apple’s next-generation A19 chip, promising improved gaming, image processing, and AI-driven performance. Analysts suggest that while CPU upgrades will be modest, GPU performance will see significant enhancement. The iPhone 17e is also expected to adopt the dynamic island design, replacing the older notch criticized in the iPhone 16e, giving it a more modern appearance and better notification handling. Camera improvements may include an 18-megapixel front camera with Center Stage support, automatically adjusting framing during video calls or selfies. Although Apple has not officially confirmed pricing or release dates, analysts predict a February 2026 launch, following the company’s usual schedule. In Bangladesh, the current iPhone 16e is priced around 75,000 taka.

The draw for the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be held on Friday, December 5, at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC, marking the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams instead of 32. Hosts United States, Mexico, and Canada automatically qualify, while six playoff winners will complete the lineup. The tournament is set to begin on June 11 and conclude with the final on July 19. FIFA President Gianni Infantino will oversee the draw, which starts at 11 PM Bangladesh time, with the full match schedule to be released the following day. Teams are divided into four pots based on FIFA rankings, with 12 teams in each pot. Spain and Argentina, along with France and England, are placed in separate halves to avoid early clashes. Fans can watch the draw live on FIFA’s official website and YouTube channel, while updates will also be available on Transfermarkt and social media platforms.

FIFA is preparing to introduce enhanced technology measures for the 2026 World Cup, including expanded use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system. Currently, VAR is permitted only for direct red card decisions, but FIFA has applied to the International Football Association Board (IFAB) for approval to use it in reviewing second yellow card incidents and disputed corner kick decisions. The final decision on these rule changes is expected after IFAB’s meeting in March. Meanwhile, host nations the United States and Mexico are intensifying their preparations by scheduling high-profile friendly matches against top European teams. The U.S. will face Belgium, Germany, and Portugal in world-class venues like Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Bank of America Stadium, while Mexico will play Portugal and Belgium at the iconic Azteca Stadium, which is undergoing renovations to host World Cup matches for a record third time.