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Maria Corina Machado, a prominent Venezuelan pro‑democracy activist, has come under fire after being awarded the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize. Critics say the prize is controversial because Machado has publicly backed Israel and its military actions in Gaza and has previously called for foreign assistance to help remove Venezuela’s government. The Nobel Committee named Machado the Peace Laureate on Friday, praising her role in defending democracy and resisting authoritarian rule in Venezuela. orgen Watne Frydnes, the committee’s chair, described her as a "key, unifying figure in a political opposition" and hailed her as a "champion of peace" who has kept democratic hopes alive. In his announcement Frydnes added, "In the past year, Machado has been forced to live in hiding. Despite serious threats against her life, she has remained in the country, a choice that has inspired millions. When authoritarians seize power, it is crucial to recognise courageous defenders of freedom who rise and resist." The award prompted a swift reaction from Washington, with the White House criticising the decision for "placing politics over peace" — a rebuke that came amid a recent U.S. effort to present President Donald Trump as a global peacemaker. Machado later dedicated her Nobel to Trump; the U.S. President said he was happy for her. Opponents have pointed to Machado’s past statements and actions as grounds for protest. They cite social media posts and public remarks in which she expressed solidarity with Israel following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack and voiced support for Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud party. One frequently highlighted line from her past posts says, "The struggle of Venezuela is the struggle of Israel." She has also referred to Israel as a "genuine ally of freedom" and once pledged to move Venezuela’s embassy to Jerusalem if elected. Norwegian lawmaker Bjornar Moxnes noted Machado signed a cooperation document with Israel’s Likud party in 2020, arguing that association with a party blamed by some for actions in Gaza makes the award incompatible with the Nobel’s aims. The Council on American‑Islamic Relations condemned the decision as "unconscionable," urging the Nobel Committee to reconsider and calling instead for recognition of those who have "bravely pursuing justice for all people," including students, journalists, activists and medical workers opposing what they call "the genocide in Gaza." Machado also faces criticism over appeals she made for foreign support against the government of President Nicolás Maduro. In 2018 she posted a copy of a letter she said she had sent to Argentina’s then‑president and to Israel’s prime minister, writing, "Today, I am sending a letter to @mauriciomacri, President of Argentina, and to @netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, to ask them to apply their strength and influence to advance in the dismantling of the criminal Venezuelan regime, intimately linked to drug trafficking and terrorism." That call for outside intervention remains a focal point for critics who say it contradicts the Nobel Peace Prize’s spirit. Supporters argue Machado’s personal sacrifices and leadership in Venezuela’s opposition movement merit recognition, while detractors say her foreign alliances and statements about Israel and intervention undermine the moral standing of the prize. The debate over her selection has quickly become a flashpoint in wider discussions about how the Nobel Peace Prize should balance political realities, moral consistency and the promotion of peace. With inputs from NDTV      

US President Donald Trump has been nominated again for the Nobel Peace Prize. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump on Monday that he recommended him for the prestigious award, handing the American leader the letter he said he sent the Nobel committee. Trump has been nominated several times by people within the US as well as politicians abroad — but that's only one small step in the secretive process. Trump's previous nominations Trump's nominators have included a group of US House Republicans and two Norwegian lawmakers. The groups separately nominated him in 2018 for his work to ease nuclear tensions with North Korea. One of the Norwegians nominated him again for the 2021 prize for his efforts in the Middle East, as did a Swedish lawmaker. Not all of the nominations have been valid: The Norwegian Nobel Committee, which selects the prize winners, said in 2018 that someone using a stolen identity had nominated Trump at least twice. Nominations can be made by a select group of people and organizations, including heads of state or politicians serving at a national level, university professors, directors of foreign policy institutes, past Nobel Prize recipients and members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee itself. Secret process Once all nominations have come in, the committee — made up of five members appointed by the Norwegian parliament — sifts through them and ensures they were made by an eligible nominator. A person cannot nominate themselves, according to the committee. The nominations aren’t announced by the committee, and the Nobel statutes prohibit the judges from discussing their deliberations for 50 years. But those doing the nominating may choose to make their recommendations public. Trump nominated for Nobel Peace Prize over Israel-Iran ceasefire Nominations must be submitted before Feb. 1 each year — meaning any recent Netanyahu nomination would be for the 2026 prize. The winners are announced every October, with award ceremonies taking place on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel's death. The prizes in medicine, physics, chemistry, literature and peace were established by the will of Alfred Nobel, a wealthy Swedish industrialist and the inventor of dynamite. An economics prize was later established by Sweden's central bank and is presented at the same time. How to win the peace prize According to Nobel’s wishes, the peace prize should go to “the person who shall have done the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” The peace prize committee is the only one that regularly rewards achievements made in the previous year — and the prize is the only one awarded in Oslo, Norway. For the science-related prizes, scientists often have to wait decades to have their work recognized by the Nobel judges, who want to make sure that any breakthrough stands the test of time, in Stockholm. Former US President Barack Obama won the peace prize in 2009, barely nine months into his first term. It was met with fierce criticism in the US, where many argued Obama had not been in office long enough to have an impact worthy of the Nobel. Former US President Jimmy Carter won a Nobel Peace Prize in 2002 for work he did after leaving the White House.

US President Donald Trump has been formally nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his role in securing the ceasefire between Israel and Iran. The nomination came from Republican Congressman Buddy Carter of Georgia, who submitted a letter to the Norwegian Nobel Committee praising Trump’s “extraordinary and historic role” in ending the armed conflict and preventing Iran—described as the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism—from acquiring nuclear weapons. “President Trump’s influence was key to forging a swift agreement that many thought impossible,” said Carter, who has represented Georgia’s 1st District since 2015. He said Trump’s actions reflect the Nobel Prize’s core principles: promoting peace, preventing war, and fostering global harmony. Carter also acknowledged the complexity of the Middle East, saying Trump displayed both courage and clarity in achieving the breakthrough. Israel holds back on further Iran strikes after Trump call Trump  announced the Israel-Iran ceasefire on Monday night, suggesting the conflict be named the “12 Day War.” This announcement came just two days after Trump ordered unprecedented US strikes on three Iranian nuclear facilities to support Israeli military actions. Under Nobel rules, national lawmakers, university professors, and other qualified individuals can nominate candidates for the prestigious prize. However, Trump himself expressed doubt over winning, citing previous peace efforts that went unrecognized. “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize no matter what I do,” Trump posted on Truth Social last Friday, following his administration’s role in brokering peace between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo. He added, “I won’t get a Nobel Peace Prize for this, I won’t get one for stopping the war between India and Pakistan, I won’t get one for stopping the war between Serbia and Kosovo.” #With inputs from New York Post  

The Pakistani government announced Saturday that it will formally recommend U.S. President Donald Trump for the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize, crediting his “decisive diplomatic intervention” during last month’s India-Pakistan military standoff. The announcement followed Trump’s remarks claiming credit for a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, while also expressing frustration at being overlooked by the Norwegian Nobel Committee for his involvement in mediating tensions between India and Pakistan, and Serbia and Kosovo. Though Indian officials have denied that Trump played any part in its ceasefire with Pakistan, Islamabad praised his engagement during the crisis. In a post on X, the Pakistani government stated that President Trump had shown “great strategic foresight and stellar statesmanship” by actively engaging both Islamabad and New Delhi diplomatically to defuse rising tensions. Nato summit overshadowed by Trump as leaders focus on defence spending “This intervention stands as a testament to his role as a genuine peacemaker and his commitment to conflict resolution through dialogue,” the post read, crediting Trump’s efforts for helping to secure a ceasefire and prevent a broader clash between the two nuclear-armed nations. The standoff, which lasted four days, followed a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that India blamed on Pakistan. Islamabad denied any involvement. The confrontation raised fears of another full-scale conflict between the long-time rivals, who have fought multiple wars—two of them over Kashmir. Trump had also offered to mediate the Kashmir dispute and discussed possible trade deals with both countries. Speaking to reporters in New Jersey on Friday, he said, “We did a very great job with India and Pakistan, and we had India in, and it looks like we’re going to be making a trade deal with India. And we had Pakistan in, and it looks like we’re going to be making a trade deal with Pakistan. And it’s a beautiful thing to watch.” The Pakistani government also expressed appreciation for Trump’s willingness to address the Kashmir issue, calling it central to regional instability. “Durable peace in South Asia would remain elusive until the implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning Jammu and Kashmir,” it said. Islamabad further expressed hope that Trump’s legacy of “pragmatic diplomacy and effective peace-building” would contribute to resolving ongoing crises, especially in the Middle East. “Pakistan remains hopeful that his earnest efforts will continue to contribute toward regional and global stability, particularly in the context of ongoing crises in the Middle East, including the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza and the deteriorating escalation involving Iran,” the statement concluded. Source: With input from Arab News, Dawn  

Survivors of the atomic bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki view the recent Nobel Peace Prize as a renewed motivation to advocate for nuclear disarmament, especially with the 80th anniversary of the 1945 attacks approaching. Terumi Tanaka, a 92-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing on Aug. 9, 1945, expressed his determination to intensify his efforts toward disarmament. Speaking at a press conference in Tokyo after receiving the Nobel Peace Prize in Oslo on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, Japan's atomic bomb survivors' organization, Tanaka highlighted the significance of the upcoming milestone. Tanaka, who co-chairs Nihon Hidankyo and formerly taught materials engineering, emphasized the importance of focusing on the next decade to bolster the movement. He aspires to spearhead a widespread campaign of survivor testimonials and urged Japan to lead the push for nuclear disarmament. NASA's Parker Solar Probe aims to fly closer to the sun like never before As the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings, Tanaka believes Japan has a unique responsibility to take a stand against nuclear weapons. He plans to challenge Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who supports nuclear deterrence, during a scheduled meeting in January. Despite survivors' calls, Japan remains under the U.S. nuclear umbrella and has yet to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Michiko Kodama, another survivor who endured the Hiroshima bombing three days prior to Nagasaki, expressed gratitude for the Nobel recognition. Kodama, who was 7 years old at the time, acknowledged the struggles survivors faced, including discrimination and health concerns caused by radiation. She stressed the need to educate others about the catastrophic effects of nuclear weapons before survivors can no longer share their experiences firsthand. Japanese space startup aborts 2nd satellite launch attempt minutes after liftoff Founded nearly 70 years ago, Nihon Hidankyo has consistently campaigned to stigmatize nuclear weapons. The atomic bombings by the United States killed approximately 140,000 people in Hiroshima and another 70,000 in Nagasaki. Japan's surrender on Aug. 15 marked the end of World War II, which began with Japan's 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor during its bid to dominate Asia.

A 92-year-old survivor of the 1945 Nagasaki atomic bombing delivered a powerful speech recounting the horrors of nuclear war as he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, a group dedicated to nuclear disarmament. Terumi Tanaka, speaking in Oslo, detailed the devastation he witnessed, including the deaths of five family members and the charred ruins of his city, while urging the world to uphold the taboo against using nuclear weapons. Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots organization of Japanese atomic bomb survivors, received the award for nearly 70 years of advocacy against nuclear weapons. Their work gains urgency as geopolitical tensions rise, with nuclear powers like Russia and Israel hinting at the possibility of using such weapons. Tanaka expressed his sorrow and anger over the weakening of the nuclear taboo, which the Norwegian Nobel Committee also emphasized in its decision. Committee chair Jørgen Watne Frydnes highlighted the increasing dangers posed by nuclear weapons, as none of the nine nuclear-armed states show significant interest in disarmament. Instead, many are modernizing their arsenals, a trend Frydnes described as a threat to global security. He called on nations, especially those bound by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, to fulfill their commitments to reduce nuclear stockpiles. Read: Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Japanese organization of atomic bombing survivors Nihon Hidankyo Tanaka’s vivid recollections of the Nagasaki bombing underscored the devastating human toll of nuclear warfare. He described the blinding flash, the ensuing shock wave, and the heartbreaking aftermath of finding his loved ones’ charred remains. Reflecting on decades of survivor-led efforts for nuclear abolition and justice, he called for global citizens to reject nuclear weapons and pressure their governments to change policies. “The belief that nuclear weapons cannot—and must not—coexist with humanity must inspire change,” Tanaka said, urging action to prevent a repeat of such tragedies. Source: With inputs from agencies

Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was granted a temporary release from an Iranian prison on Wednesday following a complex surgery to address cancer concerns, during which part of a bone in her right leg was removed, her supporters reported. Footage from Tehran showed Mohammadi stepping out of an ambulance with her black hair uncovered by a hijab and her right leg encased in a fabric cast. Calling into the street, she exclaimed, “Hello freedom! Women, life, freedom! Freedom is our right! Long live freedom!” Iran’s imprisoned Nobel Peace Prize laureate hospitalized with severe health issues According to a campaign advocating for Mohammadi, the temporary release will last 21 days, after which she is expected to return to prison to serve the remainder of her sentence. The Iranian government has not officially acknowledged her medical furlough, despite calls from her supporters for her permanent release. They argue that Mohammadi, 52, requires at least three months of recovery in a safe and sanitary environment to heal properly, emphasizing that her imprisonment for peaceful activism was unjust. Mohammadi is currently serving a combined prison sentence of 13 years and nine months on charges of colluding against state security and spreading propaganda. Despite repeated arrests and prolonged incarceration, she has continued to advocate for human and women’s rights, including supporting the 2022 women-led protests following the death of Mahsa Amini, during which many women defied Iran's hijab mandate. Mohammadi's health has been a major concern during her imprisonment, with her supporters reporting multiple heart attacks and emergency surgery in 2022. A bone lesion suspected to be cancerous led to her recent operation, her lawyer revealed earlier this month. Nobel Prize in Economics awarded for groundbreaking research on why nations succeed or fail Rebecca Vincent of Reporters Sans Frontières expressed relief over Mohammadi's temporary release, describing it as a positive step but stressing the need for sufficient recovery time at home. “We remain deeply concerned about her health and urge the Iranian authorities to ensure her proper recovery,” Vincent said. Mohammadi’s release coincides with growing domestic discontent in Iran, where economic struggles fueled by sanctions over its nuclear program have led to protests and government crackdowns. The impending return of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has raised concerns about the potential resumption of a "maximum pressure" policy against Iran, further complicating the country’s challenges. 

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus congratulated Nihon Hidankyo, the Japanese atomic bomb survivors' group, on its winning of the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024. "Congratulations to Nihon Hidankyo on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2024. Your unwavering commitment to nuclear disarmament and peace is an inspiration to us all," Prof Yunus said in a message. Prof Yunus, also Nobel Peace Laureate, said: "Your advocacy and tireless efforts to ensure that the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are never forgotten resonate deeply in our quest for a safer world". Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Japanese organization of atomic bombing survivors Nihon Hidankyo "Thank you for your courage and dedication. Warmest congratulations once again," the message read. Nihon Hidankyo has been awarded the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize for its dedication to creating a world free from nuclear weapons.    

The Nobel Peace Prize was awarded Friday to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization of survivors of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, for its activism against nuclear weapons. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said the award was made as the “taboo against the use of nuclear weapon is under pressure.” THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. AP’s earlier story follows below. Han Kang first South Korean writer to win the Nobel literature prize The Nobel Peace Prize is being awarded Friday against a backdrop of devastating conflicts raging in the world, notably in the Middle East, Ukraine and Sudan. Alfred Nobel stated in his will that the prize should be awarded for "the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.” Since 1901, 104 Nobel Peace Prizes have been awarded, mostly to individuals but also to organizations that have been seen to advance peace efforts. Last year’s prize went to jailed Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi for her advocacy of women’s rights and democracy, and against the death penalty. The Nobel committee said it also was a recognition of “the hundreds of thousands of people” who demonstrated against “Iran’s theocratic regime’s policies of discrimination and oppression targeting women.” Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to 3 scientists for work on proteins, building blocks of life But in a year of such conflict, the Norwegian Nobel Committee that decides on the winner could opt not to award a prize. The last time that happened was in 1972. In the Middle East, persistently spiraling levels of violence over the past year have killed tens of thousands of people, including thousands of children and women. The war, sparked by a bloody raid into Israel by Hamas-led militants on Oct. 7, 2023 that left about 1,200 people dead, mostly civilians, has spilled out into the wider region. The war in Gaza has killed more than 42,000 people, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, which doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count but says more than half are women and children. In Lebanon, more than 1,400 people have been killed, with thousands more injured and around 1 million displaced since mid-September, when the Israeli military dramatically expanded its offensive against Hezbollah. The war in Ukraine, sparked by Russia's invasion, is heading toward its third winter with a staggering loss of human life on both sides. The U.N. has confirmed more than 11,000 Ukrainian civilian dead, but that doesn’t take into account as many as 25,000 Ukrainians believed to have died during the Russian capture of the city of Mariupol or unreported deaths in the occupied territories. Western officials have estimated Russian military casualties around 600,000, with perhaps 150,000 dead, and public reports put Russian civilian dead around 150, mostly in the border region of Belgorod. Ukrainian military deaths were last announced in February at 31,000 and the president has said there are six wounded for every soldier killed. On the African continent, Sudan has been devastated by a 17-month war that that has so far killed more than 20,000 people and forced more than 8 million people from their homes, while roughly another 2 million were already displaced within the country before hostilities broke out. The Nobel prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). Unlike the other Nobel prizes that are selected and announced in Stockholm, founder Alfred Nobel decreed the peace prize be decided and awarded in Oslo by the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Nobel season ends Monday with the announcement of the winner of the economics prize, formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.

Imprisoned Iranian activist Narges Mohammadi won the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday in recognition of her tireless campaigning for women’s rights and democracy, and against the death penalty. Mohammadi, 51, has kept up her activism despite numerous arrests by Iranian authorities and spending years behind bars. She has remained a leading light for nationwide, women-led protests sparked by the death last year of a 22-year-old woman in police custody that have grown into one of the most intense challenges to Iran’s theocratic government. Berit Reiss-Andersen, the chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, began Friday's announcement with the words “Woman, Life, Freedom” in Farsi — the slogan of the demonstrations in Iran. “This prize is first and foremost a recognition of the very important work of a whole movement in Iran with its undisputed leader, Narges Mohammadi," Reiss-Andersen said. She also urged Iran to release Mohammadi in time for the prize ceremony on Dec. 10. The Nobel Peace Prize is to be announced in Oslo Friday For nearly all of Mohammadi’s life, Iran has been governed by a Shiite theocracy headed by the country’s supreme leader. While women hold jobs, academic positions and even government appointments, their lives are tightly controlled. Women are required by law to wear a headscarf, or hijab, to cover their hair. Iran and neighboring Afghanistan remain the only countries to mandate that. In a statement released after the Nobel announcement, Mohammadi said she will "never stop striving for the realization of democracy, freedom and equality.” “Surely, the Nobel Peace Prize will make me more resilient, determined, hopeful and enthusiastic on this path, and it will accelerate my pace," she said in the statement, prepared in advance in case she was named the Nobel laureate. Norwegian author Jon Fosse wins the Nobel Prize in literature An engineer by training, Mohammadi has been imprisoned 13 times and convicted five. In total, she has been sentenced to 31 years in prison. Her most recent incarceration began when she was detained in 2021 after attending a memorial for a person killed in nationwide protests. She has been held at Tehran’s notorious Evin Prison, whose inmates include those with Western ties and political prisoners. U.S. President Joe Biden and Amnesty International joined calls for Mohammadi’s immediate release. “This award is a recognition that, even as she is currently and unjustly held in Evin Prison, the world still hears the clarion voice of Narges Mohammadi calling for freedom and equality,” Biden said in a statement. “I urge the government in Iran to immediately release her and her fellow gender equality advocates from captivity.” Friday's prize sends "a clear message to the Iranian authorities that their crackdown on peaceful critics and human rights defenders will not go unchallenged,” Amnesty said. Mohammadi's brother, Hamidreza Mohammadi, said that while “the prize means that the world has seen this movement,” it will not affect the situation in Iran. “The regime will double down on the opposition" he told The Associated Press. "They will just crush people.” Mohammadi's husband, Taghi Rahmani, who lives in exile in Paris with their two children, 16-year-old twins, said his wife "has a sentence she always repeats: ‘Every single award will make me more intrepid, more resilient and more brave for realizing human rights, freedom, civil equality and democracy.'” Rahmani hasn't been able to see his wife for 11 years, and their children haven't seen their mother for seven, he said. Their son, Ali Rahmani, said the Nobel was not just for his mother: "It's for the struggle." "This prize is for the entire population, for the whole struggle from the beginning, since the Islamic government came to power," the teen said. Women political prisoners in Evin aren’t allowed to use the phone on Thursday and Friday, so Mohammadi prepared her statement in advance of the Nobel announcement, said exiled Iranian photographer Reihane Taravati, a family friend who spent 14 days in solitary confinement there before fleeing to France this year. Mohammadi is the 19th woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize and the second Iranian woman, after human rights activist Shirin Ebadi won in 2003. U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called Friday's selection “a tribute to all those women who are fighting for their rights at the risk of their freedom, their health and even their lives.” It’s the fifth time in its 122-year history that the Nobel Peace Prize has been given to someone in prison or under house arrest. In 2022, the top human rights advocate in Belarus, Ales Bialiatski, was among the winners. He remains imprisoned. Mohammadi was in detention for the recent protests of the death of Mahsa Amini, who was picked up by the morality police for her allegedly loose headscarf. More than 500 people were killed in a security crackdown, while over 22,000 others were arrested. But from behind bars, Mohammadi contributed an opinion piece for The New York Times in September. “What the government may not understand is that the more of us they lock up, the stronger we become,” she wrote. Iran's government, which holds Mohammadi behind bars, criticized the Nobel committee's decision as being part of the “interventionist and anti-Iranian policies of some European countries.” It “is another link in the chain of pressure from Western circles against Iran,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said in a statement. Iranian state media described Mohammadi as being “in and out of jail for much of her adult life," calling her internationally applauded activism “propaganda” and an “act against national security.” In Tehran, people expressed support for Mohammadi and her resilience. "The prize was her right. She stayed inside the country, in prison and defended people, bravo!" said Mina Gilani, a girl's high school teacher. Arezou Mohebi, a 22-year-old chemistry student, called the Nobel “an award for all Iranian girls and women,” and described Mohammadi "as the bravest I have ever seen." Political analyst Ahmad Zeidabadi said the prize might lead to more pressure on Mohammadi. “The prize will simultaneously bring possibilities and restrictions,” he wrote online. “I hope Narges will not be confined by its restrictions.” Before being jailed, Mohammadi was vice president of the banned Defenders of Human Rights Center in Iran, founded by Nobel laureate Ebadi. The Nobel prizes carry a cash award of 11 million Swedish kronor ($1 million). Unlike the other Nobel prizes that are selected and announced in Stockholm, founder Alfred Nobel decreed the peace prize be decided and awarded in Oslo by the five-member Norwegian Nobel Committee. The Nobel season ends Monday with the announcement of the winner of the economics prize, formally known as the Bank of Sweden Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel.