Iranian authorities arrested Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi, 53, at a memorial for a deceased human rights lawyer, her foundation announced Friday. Mohammadi was violently detained alongside other activists, with supporters demanding immediate unconditional release. She had been serving 13 years nine months for collusion against state security and anti-government propaganda, plus backing 2022 Mahsa Amini protests. Released on medical furlough in December 2024 for three weeks, her freedom extended months despite risks. The engineer-turned-activist suffered multiple heart attacks in prison, underwent 2022 emergency surgery, and had a potentially cancerous bone lesion removed in November 2024. She's been imprisoned 13 times, convicted five times, totaling over 30 years in sentences.

The IMF imposed 11 new conditions on Pakistan's $7 billion bailout, raising total requirements to 64 over 18 months. The fresh directives, announced after Thursday's $1.2 billion disbursement, target corruption reduction, governance improvement, and identifying government leaks. Key conditions include publishing high-ranking bureaucrats' asset details on government websites by December 2026, developing anti-corruption action plans for 10 identified departments, and allowing banks full access to officials' declarations. Pakistan must study remittance costs projected at $1.5 billion annually and submit an action plan by May 2026. The IMF demands sugar market liberalization policy by June 2026 to end elite capture. So far, $3.3 billion has been disbursed from the 39-month program. (PC: X)

London Underground, Overground, and Elizabeth line fares will rise 5.8% in March 2026, 1% above inflation as part of TfL's £2.2bn government funding deal. Mayor Sadiq Khan proposes freezing Travelcards until March 2027, keeping weekly/daily caps unchanged, while bus and tram fares remain frozen until July 2026 as a cost-of-living measure. Pay-as-you-go increases are capped at 20p, with many rising just 10p. This contrasts with the national rail fare freeze announced last month. Opposition parties criticized Khan for burdening Londoners while other UK travelers enjoy frozen fares. London TravelWatch notes London already has Europe's most expensive public transport, with delayed train deliveries and worsening bus speeds undermining value. (PC: BBC) 

Iceland has announced it will boycott the Eurovision Song Contest 2026, becoming the fifth country to withdraw after Spain, the Netherlands, Ireland and Slovenia in protest at the inclusion of Israel. Iceland’s national broadcaster RÚV said participation would bring “neither joy nor peace” amid domestic debate and unresolved concerns raised with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU). The boycott intensifies a growing crisis for the contest after the EBU confirmed Israel’s participation despite political tensions linked to the war in Gaza and allegations of voting manipulation. Organizers maintain Eurovision should remain apolitical. (PC: Reuters)

More than 600 valuable artefacts, including objects linked to India’s colonial past, were stolen in a “high-value burglary” at a museum storage site in Bristol, UK on September 25. Items taken from the British Empire and Commonwealth collection include culturally significant pieces such as an ivory Buddha and a waist belt buckle of an East India Company officer, police said. Avon & Somerset Police released CCTV footage of four male suspects and appealed for public help to identify them and recover the artefacts, many of which were donated and historically important. (PC: X)

The United States seized the oil tanker Skipper off Venezuela’s coast, targeting a vessel tied to a “dark fleet” used to move sanctioned oil, in a significant escalation of pressure on President Nicolás Maduro. The operation, led by the US Coast Guard under a legal warrant, saw the sanctioned tanker bound for illegal crude transport taken toward a US port, with Washington saying it intends to seize its oil. Caracas condemned the action as “international piracy” and a violation of sovereignty. The move has strained tensions, prompted Russia to reaffirm support for Maduro, and may deter future shadow-fleet shipments. (PC: AFP)

Japan and the United States held coordinated joint military exercises over the Sea of Japan, with two U.S. B‑52 strategic bombers flying alongside Japanese F‑35 stealth fighters and F‑15 jets, Tokyo announced. The drills — aimed at strengthening alliance readiness — occurred against the backdrop of recent Chinese and Russian military activity, including joint bomber flights near Japan and South Korea. Japan’s Defence Ministry said the exercise reaffirmed both nations’ resolve to deter unilateral attempts to change the regional status quo by force. The show of force underscores heightened security concerns in the Indo‑Pacific amid escalating tensions with Beijing and Moscow. (PC: Reuters)

Former Pakistan spy chief Faiz Hameed received a 14-year prison sentence for violating state secrets and abusing authority. The military court convicted him of engaging in political activities and causing wrongful loss to persons. Hameed served as ISI chief from 2019-2021 under former Prime Minister Imran Khan's government and remained a staunch Khan supporter who openly challenged the military. After Khan's ouster, Hameed took early retirement but was detained in August 2024 following allegations of raiding a real estate developer's businesses. He was stripped of all rank for multiple violations of the Pakistan Army Act. Information Minister Attaullah Tarar confirmed Hameed interfered in politics by advising Khan post-retirement, spreading chaos. (PC: NDTV)

Bangladesh announced its 13th National Parliamentary Election for February 12, 2026, marking the first general polls since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster. Chief Election Commissioner Naseeruddin declared the country ready to conduct "free and democratic voting," urging citizens against fake news and rumors. The election will coincide with the July Charter referendum, with 300 parliamentary seats contested. Non-resident Bangladeshis can apply online from December 12-25. The nomination filing deadline is December 29, 2025, with scrutiny from December 30-January 4, 2026. Appeals against returning officers' decisions must be filed by January 11, with the Election Commission disposing them by January 18. Candidates can withdraw nominations until January 20, 2026. (PC: India Today & HT)

Sanskrit teaching has returned to Pakistan for the first time since the 1947 Partition, with the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) introducing a Sanskrit course after strong interest from students and researchers. What began as a three-month weekend workshop evolved into a full university credit course. Pakistan’s Punjab University houses a rich but long-undervalued Sanskrit manuscript collection that local scholars now aim to engage with. LUMS plans to offer courses on the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita to cultivate homegrown expertise. Professors hope this initiative fosters cultural bridges and may grow into year-long language programmes by 2027. (PC: The Tribune)