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On December 5, 2025, at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, FIFA President Gianni Infantino awarded US President Donald Trump the inaugural FIFA Peace Prize, recognizing his efforts to promote peace and unity globally. The ceremony coincided with the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw, hosted across the US, Mexico, and Canada. The prize, a departure from FIFA's traditional sports focus, sparked controversy due to Infantino's close ties with Trump and ongoing political tensions.
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Joe Root scored his first century in Australia, helping England recover from early wickets in the second Ashes Test at Brisbane. Despite Mitchell Starc's six-wicket haul, Root's 135* and a last-wicket stand with Jofra Archer kept England in the game, with the team ending day one at 325-9.
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On December 5, 2025, the 2026 FIFA World Cup draw will take place at Washington's Kennedy Center, attended by US President Donald Trump. The expanded 48-team tournament, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, will feature 12 groups of four teams. Scotland, having qualified after 28 years, awaits its group opponents and fixture details, with the tournament running June 11 to July 19, 2026.
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The 2026 World Cup draw took place at the Kennedy Center, featuring entertainment, political figures, and star-studded moments. The event announced the 12 groups for the expanded 48-team tournament, hosted by the US, Canada, and Mexico, with notable attendance by President Trump and other leaders.
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The 2026 FIFA World Cup draw has been finalized, revealing group placements for 48 teams across North America. Key details include host country allocations, seedings, and match schedules, with the tournament set to begin on June 11, 2026, in Canada, Mexico, and the US. The draw determines group compositions and knockout matchups.
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Rick Davies, co-founder and key songwriter of Supertramp, died aged 81 after a long battle with multiple myeloma. He was known for his soulful vocals and keyboard work, shaping the band's iconic sound. Davies helped produce hits like 'The Logical Song' and 'Breakfast in America.'
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The ongoing Women’s Rugby World Cup features many lopsided scores but remains widely enjoyed. England’s dominance, standout young players, and the tournament’s spirited atmosphere highlight the sport’s growth and appeal despite uneven matchups, challenging traditional notions of sports excitement today.
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Tom Brady, a Raiders minority owner and Fox NFL analyst, was seen in the coaching booth during Monday Night Football, raising questions about conflict of interest. The NFL clarified his role, allowing remote participation in team meetings, but critics argue his access could unfairly benefit the Raiders in upcoming games.
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Recent weather events include record rainfall in Israel, severe storms and flooding across the UK, and hurricanes in the Atlantic affecting Bermuda and Europe. These developments highlight the ongoing impact of changing weather patterns, with warnings issued across multiple regions for heavy rain, strong winds, and potential flooding.
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World Rugby has unveiled a new global women’s rugby competition, the WXV Global Series, running from 2026 to 2028. It features 18 teams, including top-ranked nations and Hong Kong, with a new format replacing the previous WXV tournament. The series aims to boost international fixtures and support the sport’s growth.
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Billy Vigar, a 21-year-old footballer playing for Chichester City, died after sustaining a serious injury during an Isthmian League match at Wingate & Finchley. The injury led to an induced coma and surgery, but he passed away on Thursday morning. The match was abandoned, and tributes poured in from clubs and the football community.
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Russia's Sport Ministry has awarded a contract to develop an app that assesses students' adherence to traditional values, including patriotism and ethics. The initiative aligns with Kremlin efforts to promote 'traditional values' and raises concerns about ideological monitoring in education.
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U.S. states like Ohio are implementing new age verification laws requiring platforms like Bluesky to verify users' ages to access adult content. These laws involve uploading IDs or facial scans. Meanwhile, UK officials are pushing to criminalize cyberflashing, demanding social media firms proactively remove unsolicited explicit images, with hefty fines for non-compliance.
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As of early October 2025, the Stratus COVID-19 variant (XFG and XFG.3) has become dominant in the US, causing persistent respiratory symptoms but no increased severity. Meanwhile, Japan faces an unusually early and rapid influenza epidemic, with hospitals filling and schools closing. Experts urge vaccination and hygiene to mitigate these overlapping respiratory threats.
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As of late October 2025, rugby union is navigating significant transitions: Eddie Jones reflects on his England coaching tenure and Japan role; Australia dominates England in rugby league; the Rugby Championship tightens with South Africa leading; and a breakaway league, R360, backed by Middle Eastern investors, threatens rugby's traditional global structure.
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The 2027 Rugby World Cup will feature 24 teams, with the draw scheduled for December 3. The tournament begins in Perth on October 1, ending in Sydney on November 13. The format includes a new knockout round, increasing opportunities for more nations to advance.
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Brandon Dawson from Santa Rosa, California, won the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a pumpkin weighing 2,346 pounds. The event saw record-breaking pumpkins, including a UK gourd that surpassed 2,800 pounds. Dawson's success highlights skill, patience, and family involvement in giant pumpkin cultivation.
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Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody has been diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Despite minor symptoms, he remains positive and active. Moody, a World Cup winner and rugby legend, is focusing on staying strong while raising awareness and funds for research. The news has prompted tributes and support from the rugby community.
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A new rugby league, R360, backed by Mike Tindall and funded by private investors, aims to launch in 2026, challenging the sport's traditional structure. Major unions warn players that joining R360 will make them ineligible for international selection, raising concerns over the sport's unity and future.
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Steven Gerrard criticizes England's 'egotistical' team culture of the 2000s, attributing their lack of major tournament success to poor team cohesion. He discusses his managerial ambitions and recent player career struggles, including Jordan Henderson's controversial move to Saudi Arabia and its impact on his international career.
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Former Australian and English cricket players have exchanged sharp comments ahead of the upcoming Ashes series. David Warner predicts a 4-0 Australian win, while Stuart Broad claims Australia’s team is the worst since 2010-11. The series begins in November, with key players recovering from injuries and uncertain fitness.
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England became the first European team to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, with other teams from Africa, Asia, and Oceania also securing spots. Forty-three teams will qualify through continental tournaments, with two more in intercontinental playoffs scheduled for March. The three host nations qualify automatically.
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Recent UK Covid-19 Inquiry testimonies reveal Boris Johnson's government delayed planning and underestimated the impact of school closures on children. Evidence suggests many children suffered long-term health and developmental issues, including Long Covid, with critics calling the response a failure. The inquiry continues to examine accountability.
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England's cricket team faced rain delays and a challenging start in the third ODI against New Zealand at Mount Maunganui. Harry Brook's 135 was a highlight, but dropped catches and rain-affected conditions impacted the match, which New Zealand ultimately won. The series is tied 1-1 with one match remaining.
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Turkish authorities have detained officials and suspended over 1,000 players amid a major betting and match-fixing investigation. The scandal involves top-tier clubs, referees, and players, revealing a moral crisis in Turkish football. The investigation continues, with key figures under scrutiny.
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New deprivation indices confirm Jaywick in Essex is England’s most deprived neighbourhood for the fourth consecutive time, highlighting persistent inequality. The latest data, updated for 2025, shows high deprivation across multiple measures, especially in coastal towns and inner London, with implications for government funding and policy focus.
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Recent years have seen a surge in attendance at Quaker meetings, driven by social activism and a focus on simplicity. The Arch Street Meeting House in Philadelphia exemplifies this revival, with increased young visitors and renewed interest in Quaker beliefs and practices, including silent worship and social justice efforts.
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Bella Culley, a 19-year-old pregnant woman from Teesside, was released from Georgian custody after serving five months for drug smuggling. She was arrested in Georgia in May while attempting to transport drugs from Thailand, claiming she was coerced through torture. Her family paid a substantial plea deal to reduce her sentence.
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Wessex Water is ordered to pay £11m for wastewater failures, with plans to reduce sewage spills and improve monitoring. The enforcement follows investigations into pollution and contamination from 'forever chemicals,' highlighting ongoing environmental and regulatory challenges in UK water management.
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The High Court dismissed BAE's attempt to block a planned strike by Unite union members at Warton and Samlesbury. The strike, over pay disputes, will proceed until November 25, with the union criticizing legal threats and calling for negotiations.
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Recent reports indicate a higher likelihood of dry conditions in the UK from November to January, risking worsening drought, water shortages, and environmental impacts. Despite some rainfall, reservoirs remain below average, and authorities warn of potential restrictions and long-term resilience challenges.
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UK authorities are considering reforms to reduce the use of detention for children and vulnerable adults. Experts highlight that remanding children and those in mental health crises into custody often worsens their vulnerabilities. Calls for closing all young offender institutions and shifting to community-based care are gaining momentum, amid concerns over systemic failures and overrepresentation of minorities.
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The UK government will issue AI-generated attendance targets to all schools to address rising absenteeism, especially among vulnerable pupils. Unions criticize the move as adding pressure without solving underlying issues, amid ongoing concerns about attendance rates post-pandemic.
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Three stories highlight resilience across different life stages: a woman using her late husband's frozen sperm to become a single mother, an elderly woman with dementia reflecting on her life, and a grandmother celebrating her longevity and family. These stories explore themes of hope, aging, and family bonds. Thu, 13 Nov 2025 15:05:08 +0000.
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The upcoming Euro 2028 will be co-hosted by Britain and Ireland, with no plans for dynamic pricing. Organizers emphasize affordability and accessibility, contrasting with recent demand-based pricing at other tournaments. The final will be at Wembley, with matches across multiple UK and Irish cities, aiming to boost local economies and fan engagement.
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European and American housing markets face significant challenges, with record low building rates, rising costs, and affordability issues. The US struggles with a home shortage of up to five million, while UK housebuilding hits a nine-year low amid rising costs and regulatory hurdles. Policy responses vary widely.
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On December 2, 2025, UK Justice Secretary David Lammy announced plans to drastically reduce jury trials in England and Wales to address a Crown Court backlog nearing 80,000 cases. Jury trials will be reserved for serious crimes like murder, rape, and manslaughter, while lesser offences will be tried by judges alone or magistrates. The reforms follow Sir Brian Leveson's review but go further, sparking opposition from legal professionals and MPs.
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The UK has submitted a bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, proposing 22 stadiums across 16 cities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The tournament would feature 48 teams, 104 matches, and aim to be the most accessible ever, with a projected global audience of 3.5 billion. The bid includes plans for new and redeveloped stadiums, with Wembley Stadium set to host the final if successful.
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Playwright and screenwriter Tom Stoppard, known for works like 'Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead' and the film 'Shakespeare in Love,' died peacefully at his home in Dorset. His career spanned over six decades, earning numerous awards and acclaim for his wit, intellect, and mastery of language.