The daughter of Jimmy Lai, the pro-democracy tycoon jailed in Hong Kong, has expressed concerns about her father's deteriorating health in prison, saying that his fingernails "sometimes fall off" and his teeth are rotting. Lai, 78, has been detained since December 2020 and faces life in prison. Ear»»»

China's factory activity unexpectedly grew in December, snapping a record eight straight months of decline, lifted by a rise in pre-holiday orders ​as officials seek to spur the $19 trillion economy's manufacturing sector without worsening deflation. The official purchasing managers' index (PMI) ro»»»

A head-on collision between two trains on the line that services Peru's Machu Picchu killed one person and injured at least 40 others, authorities said, updating an earlier toll. The deceased was the conductor of one of the two trains, according to the prosecutor's office in Cusco, the city closest»»»

Two minors, ages 13 and 14, were arrested in the western city of Patra after allegedly assaulting a 15-year-old boy and threatening him with a knife, police said. Authorities said the suspects approached the teenager outside a school and punched him in the face, causing injuries. During the assault»»»

Tunis, Dec. 31, 2025 (TAP) – The 3rd International Conference “TuniRock 2026” will be held from April 9 to 12, 2026, in Hammamet. This major scientific event will focus on advances in rock mechanics and their strategic applications, particularly...»»»

In 2025, Bulgaria recorded a markedly positive migration balance, with arrivals significantly outnumbering departures. Data from the National Statistical Institute, cited by Nova TV, show that around 13,000 people left the country during the year, most of them heading to Germany and the United King»»»

Doha, Qatar: Doha Metro and Lusail Tram announced updates to their service hours for today, December 31, 2025. According to a statement on X, the last train from Lusail QNB will be at 2:22am while the last train from Lusail QNB that allows connection to Gold and Green lines is scheduled for 2:07am »»»

Russia’s top general said its forces were pressing forward in northeastern Ukraine and President Vladimir ​Putin had ordered expansion of territory Moscow calls a buffer zone there in 2026, Russian news agencies said on Wednesday. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said Putin ordered expan»»»

New Year's Eve revelers celebrated the end of 2025 on Wednesday, waving goodbye to 12 months packed with Trump tariffs, a Gaza truce and vain hopes for peace in Ukraine. It was one of the warmest years on record, the stifling heat stoking wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa and deadly rains acr»»»

Damascus, Dec. 31 (SANA) Turkish Ambassador to Syria Nuh Yilmaz said he is determined to do everything possible to strengthen relations between his country and their dear neighbor “Syria”. In a post published Tuesday on the X platform, Yilmaz expressed his thanks for what he described as a warm rec»»»

On Dec. 31, 2020, the historic Brexit trade agreement with the European Union entered legal force in Britain just hours before the official end of the transition period. 1 of 5 | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to No.10 Downing St after attending debate at the Houses of Parliament rega»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Somali President Warns Israeli Recognition of Somaliland Could Fuel Gaza Displacement Plan 31-12-2025 09:58 AM Somali President Hassan Shei»»»

Dubai: As 2025 ends, Palestinians in Gaza are marking the close of a year many describe as a “nightmare,” shaped by prolonged conflict, loss, and displacement. A fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been in place since October 10, offering a pause after two years of intense fighting that »»»

China will implement more proactive ​macroeconomic policies next year, President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday, according ‌to state ‌media. The ‌Chinese ⁠economy ​is ‌expected to achieve about 5% growth for 2025, to about 140 ⁠trillion yuan ($20 trillion), ‌Xi said. The ‍country ‍will promote ‍effec»»»

Russia launched an overnight drone attack on ​Ukraine’s Odesa region, damaging residential buildings and infrastructure and injuring four people, including three children, regional authorities said on Wednesday. Odesa, a major Black Sea port, has been repeatedly targeted by Russian missiles and ‌dr»»»

Relations between India and the Maldives represent one of South Asia’s most stable and organically developed partnerships. Maldives Insight reports. Long before diplomatic ties were formalised in 1965, the two nations were linked through maritime trade, cultural exchange and people-to-people contac»»»

Isiah Whitlock Jr, who was known for his memorable acting roles on The Wire and Veep, has died at the age of 71, according to his manager. "It is with tremendous sadness that I share the passing of my dear friend and client Isiah Whitlock Jr," manager Brian Liebman wrote on Instagram. Whitlock, who»»»

Thailand on Wednesday released 18 Cambodian prisoners of war held for five months, fulfilling the terms of a ceasefire agreement the two countries signed to end bitter fighting along their border. The release was stipulated in the ceasefire agreement signed Saturday by the defense ministers of the »»»

Zohran Mamdani, young upstart of the US left, was readying Wednesday to take over as New York mayor for a term sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump. After the clocks strike midnight, bringing in 2026, Mamdani will take his oath of office at an abandoned subway stop, taking the h»»»

Europe is no longer sleepwalking into disaster. It is marching toward it with wide-open eyes, clenched fists, and a disturbing sense of moral self-satisfaction. At the very moment when the United States, under Donald Trump’s leadership, is returning to diplomacy, restraint, and strategic realism, t»»»

Eurostar will resume full service Wednesday after a power glitch left crowds of travellers stranded on either end of the Channel Tunnel, the service said in a statement. Eurostar has held a monopoly on passenger services through the tunnel that connects France and the UK since it first launched in »»»

Meteorologists predict that no precipitation is expected in Bishkek during the second half of the day. January 1: Rain, turning into snow at night. Nighttime temperatures will drop to around +2°C, while daytime highs will reach +6°C. January 2: Partly cloudy. Night temperatures will fall to 0°C, wi»»»

Nearly 12 years after Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 vanished with 239 people on board, a renewed search has begun in the remote southern Indian Ocean, as investigators deploy advanced deep-sea technology in a fresh bid to solve one of aviation’s most enduring mysteries. Nearly 12 years after Malay»»»

The UAE has once again demonstrated its forward-looking approach to national development with the issuance of two landmark Federal Decree Laws. One governs the national educational curriculum and the other regulates higher education and scientific research. These laws, issued in December 2025, are »»»

In 2025, Sputnik got 10 billion internet hits and grew its audience to 23.5 million subscribers, adding 4 million in just one year. The agency expanded its radio broadcasting to 15 new countries, launched 24/7 broadcasting in Brazil and increased its global reach with new correspondent locations an»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, consumers are being urged to prioritise card payments during the initial transitional period. Bogomil Nikolov, chairman of “Active Consumers,” told Bulgarian National Radio that the start of the year presents a unique challenge: banks will »»»

Leader of Tajikistan Emomali Rahmon wished President Sadyr Japarov and the people of Kyrgyzstan a Happy New Year 2026. The presidential press service reported. «I wish you and your family good health, happiness, and prosperity, and to the fraternal people of the Kyrgyz Republic—peace, stability, an»»»

As the UAE prepare to celebrate New Year’s Eve tonight, Brite Aravindhakshan will once again be on duty – ready to respond to emergencies while the nation welcomes 2026 with lights, fireworks and joy. The Indian expat, an ambulance driver with Aster Cedars Hospital in Jebel Ali, knows what it means»»»

Children exposed to high levels of screen time before age two showed changes in brain development that were linked to slower decision-making and increased anxiety by their teenage years, according to new study released by the Agency for Science, Technology and Research in Singapore. Prepared in col»»»

The US military said Tuesday that nearly 25 operatives of the ISIS group were killed or captured in Syria this month following an ambush that killed two US troops and an American civilian interpreter. The US Central Command, which oversees the Middle East, said in a statement on X that 11 missions »»»

Five thousand medical workers in Kyrgyzstan will receive mortgage apartments out of turn. Health Minister Kanybek Dosmambetov announced during a visit to children’s medical institutions in the country. According to him, providing housing for medical workers is one of the pressing issues. The minist»»»

Leader of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev wished the head of Kyrgyzstan, Sadyr Japarov, and the people of the republic a Happy New Year. The presidential press service reported. «In the outgoing year, through shared aspirations and joint efforts, we have achieved the dynamic development of good-neigh»»»

The Dubai Court of Appeal has upheld a lower court ruling sentencing two Asian men to three months in prison and ordering them to jointly repay Dh1.098 million, after convicting them of defrauding a European investor in a sham cryptocurrency transaction. The court also ordered their deportation aft»»»

Dubai: Shah Rukh Khan has arrived in Dubai, with videos circulating across social media showing the Bollywood superstar around town just in time for the city's most anticipated New Year's Eve event. His presence adds an extra layer of excitement to what's already shaping up to be one of Dubai's gra»»»

India has overtaken Japan as the world’s fourth largest economy and officials hope to pass Germany within three years, the government’s end-of-year economic review revealed. Official confirmation, however, depends on data due in 2026 when final annual gross domestic product figures are released, wi»»»

The Israeli army and the Defense Ministry announced that they will grant the special status of “died after service” to soldiers who served in the war on Gaza and other fronts and died by suicide within up to two years after their discharge. The designation aims at expanding support for families and»»»

The staff of the Bishkek Heating and Power Plant (HPP) have been switched to an enhanced operating mode in connection with the New Year holidays, the press service of the City Hall reported. Emergency response teams are on round-the-clock standby to promptly address any potential emergencies. To en»»»

Dubai: FIFA President Gianni Infantino (pictured) yesterday defended controversial ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup, revealing that organisers had received a record 150 million requests for tickets in the past two weeks. Speaking at the World Sports Summit in Dubai, Infantino stressed that all »»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Al Ahli FC will face Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC of Iran in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two following the conclusion of the knockout stage draw yesterday. The draw set the path for the 16 remaining teams, with all eight Round of 16 ties offering intriguing»»»

Rabat, Morocco: Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat. Ismael Gharbi converted a penalty just before half-time for Tunisia and Feisal Salu»»»

Indonesian authorities have raised the alert level for the Mount Bur Ni Telong volcano in the country’s westernmost province of Aceh to its second highest following a series of increased activity and volcanic earthquakes, official said Wednesday. The 2,624-meter (8,600-foot) stratovolcano in Aceh's»»»

Dubai: The UAE fuel price committee on Wednesday announced petrol and diesel prices for the month of January 2026. Super 98 petrol will cost Dh2.53 a litre, compared to Dh2.70 a litre in December, while Special 95 will cost Dh2.42 a litre, compared to Dh2.58 a litre the previous month. Also In This»»»

As Bulgaria adopts the euro, small settlements lacking post offices, ATMs, and other essential services face a particularly difficult transition. One such place is the village of Emen in Veliko Tarnovo region, home to roughly twenty elderly residents. Emen lacks public transport, a post office, and»»»

Kazakhstan’s leader, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, sent a message of congratulations to Sadyr Japarov, the head of Kyrgyzstan, and the people of the country on the upcoming New Year 2026. In his congratulatory telegram, the head of Kazakhstan wished Sadyr Japarov inexhaustible energy, family well-being, a»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatari athletes endured mixed fortunes in the passing year, marked by historic achievements, extraordinary individual performances and moments of heartbreak. Al Annabi experienced a roller-coaster 2025, but their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup on merit saved the blushe»»»

New York: US singer Beyonce is now a billionaire, Forbes magazine said on Monday, becoming only the fifth musician to achieve such a milestone. The 44-year-old entertainer joins a select club that includes her husband, rapper Jay-Z, as well as Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and Rihanna, according »»»

TEHRAN — Some shopkeepers in Tehran shut their stores for the second day in a row Monday in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran's embattled currency, media reports said.The rial has hit new lows on the unofficial market, with the US dollar trading at around 1.42 million rial»»»

Once Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the United Arab Emirates’ foreign ministry, among other countries, denounced the “deplorable attack” on the Russian President's residence, Ukraine has been scrambling to contain the “diplomatic fallout,” writes t»»»

France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen will attend the screen legend Brigitte Bardot's funeral next week, but President Emmanuel Macron will not, their teams said on Tuesday. In her later years, Bardot was an outspoken supporter of the far right and was convicted in court for hate speech, stirring»»»

Ajay Kumar waited nearly eight years for that life-changing call and when it finally came, it was from the unmistakable voice of Big Ticket host Richard. Kumar, a finance analyst from Kerala who has called Dubai home for 17 years, won Dh100,000 in the Big Ticket e-draw, sending his excitement soari»»»