Lionel Messi is not ruling out another bid for World Cup glory with Argentina in 2026 despite acknowledging that time is working against him.

Messi, who recently won his eighth Ballon d'Or, raised the World Cup almost a year ago after starring for Argentina in the final against France in Doha.

The 36-year-old had suggested at the time that the tournament in Qatar would be his last and that he wouldn't be around for the next tournament which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.

But having moved to Major League Soccer's Inter Miami and continued performing for the national team in qualifiers for 2026, he says the door remains open.

The Argentina captain said his focus is on June's Copa America which will be held in the United States.

Q1) Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), which was recently in the news, was established by which of these two organizations?

1. FAO and UNICEF
2. FAO and WHO
3. UNICEF and UNESCO
4. World Bank and IMF
5. None of These

Q2) What was the theme of World AIDS Day 2023?

1. Bridges of Understanding
2. Harmony in Healing
3. Let Communities Lead
4. Community for Healing
5. None of These

Q3) The Ministry of Defence signed a contract with which organisation for Upgraded Super Rapid Gun Mount and other equipment for around 3000 crores?

1. DRDO
2. BHEL
3. L&T
4. BEL
5. None of These

Q4) Mahe, Malvan, and Mangrol are the names of which products recently launched?

1. Anti-Submarine Warships
2. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
3. Submarines
4. Intercontinental Missiles
5. None of These

Q5) Which institution constituted a task force to examine the impact of the Digital Personal Data Protection Act on the Insurance sector?

1. Ministry of Electronics and IT
2. IRDAI
3. RBI
4. SEBI
5. None of These

The Zoram People’s Movement (ZPM) has swept the polls in Mizoram.

According to the latest figures released by the Election Commission (EC), the ZPM bagged 26 seats and is leading in one. The ruling Mizo National Front (MNF) is a distant second with seven seats. It is leading in three others.

The BJP, for which Mizoram was the last unconquered frontier in the Northeast, won two seats. The Congress, which last ruled the state for two straight terms from 2008 to 2018, is yet to open its account. When reports last came in, it was leading in one seat.

The ZPM’s chief ministerial candidate Lalduhoma and former star Indian footballer Jeje Lalpekhlua are among the winners. Officially it has not been declared but Chief Minister Zoramthanga is said to have lost from the Aizawl East I seat. Deputy Chief Minister Tawnluia and Congress state president Lalsawta are also among the losers.

The party, floated ahead of the 2018 election, is a conglomerate of six regional forces. Eight of its candidates had won in that election, contesting as independent candidates as the party was not recognised by the EC then.

The Election Commission on  Dec 3  ordered the suspension of Telangana Director General of Police (DGP) Anjani Kumar for violation of the model code of conduct as the counting of votes was underway in the state.

They said the DGP, along with state police nodal officer Sanjay Jain and nodal officer (expenditure) Mahesh Bhagwat, met Anumula Revanth Reddy, the state Congress president and a candidate, with a bouquet of flowers at his residence in Hyderabad amid the counting of votes.

A Paraguayan government official was replaced after it was revealed that he signed a memorandum of understanding with representatives of a fugitive Indian guru’s fictional country, who also appear to have duped several local officials in the South American country.

The revelation sparked a scandal — and lots of social media mockery — in Paraguay but it’s hardly the first time self-described representatives of the United States of Kailasa duped international leaders. Earlier this year, they managed to participate in a United Nations committee meeting in Geneva and also signed agreements with local leaders in the United States and Canada.

Arnaldo Chamorro was replaced as chief of staff for Paraguay’s Agriculture Ministry  shortly after it was revealed that he signed a “proclamation” with representatives of the United States of Kailasa

At least four people were killed and dozens wounded in a bomb attack on a Catholic mass in the insurgency-plagued southern Philippines on Dec 3, with President Ferdinand Marcos blaming "foreign terrorists".

The blast happened during a morning service at Mindanao State University's gymnasium in Marawi, the country's largest Muslim city, which was besieged by Islamist militant groups in 2017.

Police Lieutenant General Emmanuel Peralta said four people were killed and around 50 wounded in the blast from an improvised explosive device.

Marawi city Mayor Majul Gandamra urged members of the Muslim and Christian communities to remain united.

Military chief General Romeo Brawner said the bombing may have been a revenge attack for military operations against three Islamist militant groups -- Dawlah Islamiyah-Philippines, Abu Sayyaf and Maute -- in western Mindanao in recent days.

Pro-Islamic State Maute and Abu Sayyaf militants -- including foreign and local fighters --  held Marawi under siege in 2017.

The Philippine military wrested back the ruined city after a five-month battle that claimed more than 1,000 lives.

Lanao del Sur and Maguindanao del Sur are part of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

The country's Muslim minority were given self-rule in Bangsamoro under former president Rodrigo Duterte as part of efforts to head off the lure of violent extremism.

Manila signed a peace pact with the nation's largest rebel group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, in 2014, ending their deadly armed rebellion.

Pope Francis said on Dec 3 he was saddened the truce in the Gaza Strip had been broken and urged those involved to reach a new ceasefire deal as soon as possible.

He said the end of the ceasefire meant "death, destruction, misery", stressing that the besieged Palestinian territory lacked even essential supplies.

He said the situation in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories was "serious". "Many hostages have been freed but so many others are still in Gaza," he said.

Bharti Telecom Ltd (BTL), the one of the largest promoters of Bharti Airtel, increased its stake in the company by 1.35% through a Rs 8,301.73-crore block deal. With this, the stake of the company is increased to 39.59% in Bharti Airtel, the country’s second-largest telecom service provider.

Now, Sunil Mittal’s Bharti Enterprises and Singapore Telecommunications (commonly known as Singtel) own 50.56% and 49.44%, respectively, in Bharti Telecom.  Bharti Airtel from Indian Continent Investment Limited’s stake in Airtel has declined to 4.56% from 5.93% in the quarter ending September 2023.