1 President Trump receives first-ever Peace Prize during FIFA 2026 World Cup draw
The schedule for next year’s FIFA World Cup has been released. The International Football Federation (FIFA) made the announcement a day after finalizing the groups for the 48-team tournament, which will be held in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. The World Cup begins on June 11th in Mexico City with a match between Mexico and South Africa. A total of 104 matches will be played. Defending champions Argentina will begin their campaign against Algeria on June 16th. Following the draw, US President Donald Trump was presented with FIFA’s new Peace Prize at the Kennedy Center in Washington . President Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney were present at the ceremony. The final will be held in New Jersey on July 19th. 78 World Cup matches will be played in the United States, with 13 each in Canada and Mexico. Canada, Mexico, and South Korea will not play their matches in the United States.
2 The first session of the 11th India International Science Festival (IISF) begins in Panchkula.
The first session of the 11th India International Science Festival (IISF), organized by the Ministry of Science and Technology, began at the Dussehra Ground in Panchkula . The 11th edition of IISF will be held in Panchkula, Haryana, from December 6 to 9, 2025. Union Minister of Science and Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh will formally inaugurate it. It is noteworthy that this year, IISF is being organized under the theme “Science to Prosperity: Self-Reliant India.” The objective of the Science Festival is to promote scientific temper and innovation and inspire youth to contribute to the field of science and technology. Thousands of students, young researchers, and science enthusiasts from various states across India are participating in the festival. In addition, senior scientists and researchers from ISRO, DRDO, and other leading scientific institutions will also participate in various sessions and interactive programs.
3 DRDO hands over seven indigenous technologies to the armed forces
In a major boost to India’s defense capabilities , the Defense Research and Development Organization (DRDO) handed over seven indigenous technologies to the Indian Armed Forces on December 2, 2025. These technologies were developed under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme, which aims to encourage Indian industry—especially MSMEs and startups—to participate in defense innovation. During the same event, 12 new projects across the strategic, aerospace, naval, and electronic warfare (EW) sectors were also approved, reflecting India’s commitment to defense self-reliance. The Technology Development Fund (TDF) is a scheme initiated by the Ministry of Defense and implemented by DRDO, aimed at promoting the indigenous development of defense technologies. The scheme aims to reduce dependence on imported defense systems and enable Indian industries to design, develop, and deliver critical technologies. DRDO transferred seven critical indigenous technologies to the Army, Navy, and Air Force. These include:
- High-voltage power supplies for airborne jammers
- Tide-efficient gangways for improved access at naval jetties
- Switching Matrix Systems for Very Low Frequency (VLF) and High Frequency (HF) Communications
- VLF loop aerial for secure communication to underwater platforms
- Indigenous waterjet propulsion system for fast interceptor boats
- Technology for Lithium Precursors Recovery from Used Lithium-Ion Batteries
- Long-life seawater battery system for long-term underwater monitoring
4 India’s rare ‘Goldilocks’ era
As the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor completed his first year in office, the Indian economy entered what experts call a ” rare Goldilocks phase “—a time when economic growth is strong, inflation is low, and policies are stable and predictable. This situation is particularly significant because the global economy is currently grappling with numerous shocks—trade wars, rising US tariff policies, geopolitical tensions, and weakening currencies. Yet, India’s economy has shown remarkable resilience. In economic terms, this is a state when the economy is neither experiencing too much growth nor too much recession, but rather, everything is in “just the right” balance.
5 Retail CBDC transactions in India exceed 120 million, worth ₹28,000 crore: RBI
India’s digital currency initiative has reached a major milestone. Retail Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) , or digital rupee (e₹) , transactions have exceeded 120 million , while the total transaction value has reached over ₹28,000 crore . This information was provided by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Deputy Governor T. Rabi Sankar at a press conference held after the Monetary Policy Committee meeting on December 5, 2025. This achievement demonstrates the RBI’s progress in digital payment innovation. Retail CBDC, or digital rupee (e₹), is the RBI’s flagship effort to provide a universal, secure, and efficient digital payment system to the public. The retail CBDC pilot was launched on December 1, 2022, with a limited number of consumers and merchants. Since then, adoption has steadily increased, strengthening trust in this new system among consumers and financial institutions. Currently, over 8 million users are actively using the digital rupee in everyday transactions.
6 Google launches new Gemini 3 DeepThink feature
Google has officially launched Gemini 3 Deep Think mode for its AI Ultra subscribers . This new mode comes with major improvements in reasoning, problem-solving, and complex analysis . It was previewed at the launch of Gemini 3 AI models last month and is now available in the Gemini app. Deep Think mode is specifically designed to solve complex mathematical, scientific reasoning, and logic-based questions. It provides more context-enabled and in-depth analytical support than previous Gemini models. Deep Think mode is a special feature of the Gemini 3 AI model that aims to solve multi-step problems through parallel analysis of multiple possible solutions—what Google calls “advanced parallel reasoning.”
7 Netflix announces purchase of Warner Bros. Studios
Netflix has agreed to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery ‘s TV and film studios and its streaming platform . The massive $72 billion deal, announced on December 5, 2025, will give Netflix control of iconic franchises like Harry Potter , Game of Thrones , and DC Comics , significantly altering Hollywood’s power structure. The acquisition followed a fiercely competitive bidding round, with Netflix outbidding Paramount–Skydance. Paramount had offered approximately $24 per share for the entire Warner Bros. Discovery company (which includes its cable TV unit). However, Netflix bid $28 per share, valuing the company at $72 billion, far exceeding its market cap of $61 billion based on its December 4 market close. This is the largest acquisition in Netflix’s history, transforming it from a content distributor directly into a giant studio owner.
8 Fitch raises India’s growth forecast to 7.4% for FY26
Global credit rating agency Fitch Ratings has raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY26 to 7.4% , from 6.9% earlier. The revision reflects strong consumer demand, improved economic sentiment and the positive impact of recent GST reforms. The revision was made in Fitch’s Global Economic Outlook report released on December 4, 2025. The revision comes at a time when India’s second quarter (July–September) GDP growth was 8.2%—the fastest rate in six quarters.