Treasury to cover Bayeux Tapestry for estimated £800m
The Treasury is set to insure the Bayeux Tapestry against damage for an estimated £800m while it is on loan to the British Museum next year. The 70m-long embroidery depicting the Battle of Hastings in 1066 will travel from France to London as part of a deal between the two nations' governments. The»»»
Fearing deportation, Hondurans in the US send more cash home than ever before
For over a year, Elías Padilla had been saving up to make the journey from Honduras to the United States as an undocumented immigrant. As an Uber driver in the snarled streets of the capital, Tegucigalpa, it hasn't been easy for him to put money aside. On bad days he makes as little as $12 (£9) in »»»
Why views and privacy now trump size in Dubai’s luxury home market
Dubai: Dubai’s luxury property market has entered a phase where square footage alone no longer explains price. Two homes with similar layouts, finishes and even locations can now sit millions of dirhams apart. The difference increasingly comes down to one factor that cannot be replicated or expande»»»
Magnitude 6.6 earthquake near Taiwan disrupts rail services - UPI.com
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake about 20 miles off Taiwan's east coast briefly disrupted rail services and power to 3,000 homes late Saturday night. Photo by Ritchies B. Tongo/EPA Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A 6.6-magnitude earthquake was recorded off Taiwan's northeastern coast on Saturday night, but no injuries »»»
More US immigration proposals complicate life for expats worldwide
Dubai: The future of US immigration rules is again under debate, and this time the concerns are not only political — they are personal for thousands of expats in the UAE and elsewhere who either travel regularly to the US for work or have family members on H-1B visas. Sign up for our daily business»»»
Rich and voiceless: How Putin has kept Russia's billionaires on side in the war
During the war with Ukraine, the number of billionaires in Russia has reached an all-time high. But in the 25 years Vladimir Putin has been in power, Russia's rich and powerful - known as oligarchs - have lost almost all their political influence. All this is good news for the Russian president. We»»»
Saudi Arabia backs Yemen's government, urges separatists to withdraw from seized provinces
Saudi Arabia on Saturday said it would back Sanaa's government in any military confrontation with separatist forces in a statement that came a day after reported Saudi air strikes in Yemen's Hadramawt province.The Southern Transition Council (STC) separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates have»»»
US air strikes in Nigeria targeted IS group fighters trying to enter from Sahel, govt says
US-backed air strikes in Nigeria targeted Islamic State group fighters who were attempting to enter the country from the Sahel region, according to the Nigerian government. US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that the strikes were carried out on Thursday »»»
Kentucky police seize 55 pounds of gift-wrapped meth - UPI.com
A man carrying 55 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in gift-wrapped boxes was arrested for drug trafficking near Louisville, Ky., on Monday. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A Nebraska man was arrested near Louisville, Ky., when police found 55 pounds of suspected methamphetamin»»»
Trump’s team no longer trusts Netanyahu – Axios
Officials in US President Donald Trump’s closest circle no longer believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can be trusted to push forward with the Gaza peace plan, Axios reported on Friday, citing insiders. The future of Trump’s grand Gaza war settlement roadmap, unveiled in September»»»
Godfather of Ethiopian jazz plays his last live concert
Ethiopian jazz musician Mulatu Astatke smiled as he held his arms aloft to acknowledge his audience for the last time. Last month in London, the 82-year-old pioneer, who has done much to bring his blend of musical styles to the world, played his final live concert after a six-decade performing care»»»
War-torn Myanmar votes in widely criticised 'sham' election
Myanmar is going to the polls in an election widely dismissed as a sham, with major political parties dissolved, many of their leaders jailed and as much as half the country unlikely to vote because of an ongoing civil war. The military government is holding a phased ballot nearly five years after »»»
Bessent, Trump urge ending the Senate filibuster; as 2026 budget looms - UPI.com
Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent urged Senate Republicans to end the filibuster as a fiscal year 2026 budget battle is expected in January and could trigger another government shutdown. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent »»»
UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy
The UK is to impose visa restrictions against people arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo after its government failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Ministers say the DRC has not made changes required under the toughening up of»»»
Ukraine's anti-corruption agency attempts raid of parliament in new graft probe
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency said on Saturday that security services were blocking its attempt to raid parliament, as investigators alleged that sitting MPs were implicated in a new graft probe. The probe comes at a delicate time for President Volodymyr Zelensky, as he seeks better terms for Uk»»»
Live: EU leaders pledge unfaltering support for Ukraine before Trump talks
EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa on Saturday promised the European Union's unfaltering support for Ukraine ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's talks with US President Donald Trump on Sunday. The Ukrainian president first spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney d»»»
Italian authorities arrest 9 alleged Hamas fundraisers - UPI.com
Italian officials on Saturday announced the arrests of nine people who are accused of using charities to raise $8.2 million, most of which funded Hamas. File Photo by Mohammed Saber/EPA Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Nine people who are accused of raising more than $8 million in Italy to help fund Hamas have bee»»»
Memory of Place expo: Souq Waqif becomes a visual archive to the world
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha At a time when cities are rapidly evolving and their features constantly reshaped, the exhibition ‘Memory of Place’, currently underway at the Souq Waqif Art Center, offers an artistic approach that goes beyond local documentation toward a broader, global question: how can ar»»»
MFEC’s Rockstar 2025 rRecital: A showcase of talent and energy
Darlene Regis MFEC stole the spotlight with its sensational Rockstar 2025 Season 11 Dance Recital, held on December 11-12. MFEC Qatar is a Doha-based street dance academy known for training young dancers and competing internationally through its elite crews like CrewQ. This year’s “Rockstar” theme »»»
21 mn needy people in 70 countries gained from QC initiatives in a year
Tribune News Network Doha Powered by the generosity of Qatar’s donors, Qatar Charity (QC) has reached 21 million people in 2025 through humanitarian aid, development projects, and social care across nearly 70 countries, advancing its mission to ease suffering and build resilient, dignified lives. Q»»»
21 Arab, Islamic, and African nations reject Israel’s recognition of Somaliland
QNA DOHA The foreign ministers of Qatar, Jordan, Egypt, Algeria, Comoros, Djibouti, Gambia, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Maldives, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Türkiye, Yemen, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) have strongly rejected Israel’s announ»»»
Three-day Chinese Film Festival concludes with focus on promotion of cultural diplomacy
Ashraf Siddiqui Doha A three-day 2025 Qatar-China Film Festival at the Katara Cinema in Doha concluded recently on a high note promoting cultural diplomacy between the two countries. This significant cultural event, hosted by the China Film Administration, was organised by the China Film Archive in»»»
Trump pours cold water on Zelensky’s ‘peace plan’
US President Donald Trump has expressed skepticism about Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky’s latest peace proposal to end the conflict with Moscow, arguing the discussions could move forward only with his blessing. Trump’s remarks come as he is expected to hold talks with Zelensky in Florida on Su»»»
Patel planning permanent closure of FBI's Hoover headquarters building - UPI.com
The J. Edgar Hoover Building will close permanently after the FBI moves its headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Friday. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The FBI Hoover headquarters in Washington soon will be vacant as the»»»
21 Arab, Islamic, and African states affirm in joint statement their categorical rejection of Israel’s Recognition of Somaliland
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Arab Republic of Egypt, the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, the Union of the Comoros, the Republic of Djibouti, the Republic of The Gambia, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Iraq, the State»»»
Founder Festival achieved remarkable success, record participation: Vice-chairman of Organising Committee
Doha: Vice-chairman of Camel Racing Organising Committee Abdullah Al Kuwari has affirmed to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Festival for Purebred Arabian Camels is one of the preeminent festivals in the Arab Gulf region. He noted the record and unpreced»»»
Global growth recovery reflects major economies' resilience: QNB
Doha: QNB affirmed that the recovery in global growth forecasts for 2025 does not indicate a lack of risks as much as it reflects the ability of major economies to adapt to shocks in a world characterized by rapid change and rising uncertainty. It highlighted that forecasts were no longer on a fixe»»»
How to Explain Currency Change to Children: New Piggy Bank and Pocket Money in Euros
Playing “shop” at home is one of the practical ways parents can explain to very young children the change of currency that Bulgaria will undergo on January 1, 2026. A shop set up in euros helps children get used to the new coins and banknotes, and to practise basic calculations, financial expert an»»»
New Zealand police 'recover' precious Faberge egg swallowed by thief
Auckland: After 6 days of continuous surveillance and extensive investigations, police in New Zealand have successfully recovered a diamond-encrusted green Faberge egg from an individual who had reportedly swallowed the precious item in a bizarre theft attempt, AFP reported. The accused 32-year-old»»»
Kennedy Center seeks $1m from musician who cancelled after Trump name added to venue
The head of the Kennedy Center in Washington DC has demanded $1m (£740,000) in damages from a musician who cancelled a concert after President Donald Trump's name was added to the venue. Chuck Redd called off his Christmas Eve performance, which he has hosted annually since 2006, citing a vote by t»»»
BREAKING – Taiwan, southwestern Japan hit by M7.0 earthquake
Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by an earthquake initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a M6.7 quake»»»
BREAKING – Taiwan, southwestern Japan hit by M7.0 earthquake
Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by an earthquake initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a M6.7 quake»»»
Euroclear unblocks over $600mn in EDB funds
The international clearing house Euroclear has released more than $600mn in frozen assets belonging to the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB), on the condition that the funds be used exclusively for projects in Kazakhstan, Kommersant reported on December 25. »»»
New Year’s Eve 2026: Watch Dubai’s fireworks from the water
Dubai residents and visitors can welcome 2026 from the water as the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) launches special New Year’s Eve marine transport services offering front-row views of the city’s fireworks. The sea-based experience allows passengers to avoid crowded viewing spots while enjoyin»»»
Gold surpasses $4,500 per ounce for first time as geopolitical tensions rise
Gold prices on the spot market exceeded $4,500 per ounce for the first time on December 24, setting a new record as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions, Interfax reported on December 24. Sp»»»
Russia’s CBR outlines phased cryptocurrency regulation with limits for retail investors
The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has published a formal concept for regulating cryptocurrency within the domestic market, proposing differentiated access for retail and professional investors while reaffirming its stance that digital assets are high-risk financial instruments. »»»
Thailand, Cambodia agree to 72-hour cease-fire amid border war - UPI.com
Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha, left, and Thai Defense Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit exchange cease-fire agreement documents after three days of negotiations to end a weeks-long battle along the two countries border. Photo by Defense Ministry of Thailand/EPA Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Weeks into a vic»»»
Iran’s President Says His Country Is in a Full-Scale War with the West
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Saturday his country is in a full-scale war with the US, Israel and Europe ahead of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ’s meeting Monday with US President Donald Trump. Pezeshkian said in an interview published on the website of the country’s Supreme »»»
Lebanese Army Inspections Debunk Israeli Claims in Southern Villages - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese Army Inspections Debunk Israeli Claims in Southern Villages 27-12-2025 19:28 PM The Lebanese Army has inspected several homes in t»»»
Almost 40% of Germans Say Merz Cabinet May Collapse Before Term Ends - Poll
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - In Germany, 37% of residents believe Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government is unlikely to serve its full term, set to end in early 2029, according to a YouGov poll for Welt am Sonntag published on Saturday. According to the poll, 37% of respondents see it as "very unlikely" that»»»
Weather alert: UAE braces for rain and dusty winds on Sunday
Dubai: The UAE’s National Centre of Meteorology has forecast partly cloudy to occasionally overcast conditions across the country on Sunday, with a chance of convective cloud formation and rainfall in some coastal, northern, and eastern areas. Winds are expected to be light to moderate, occasionall»»»
UK teacher ‘likened to terrorist’ for showing students Trump videos – Telegraph
A teacher at a school in Britain says he was “likened to a terrorist” for showing his students several videos of US President Donald Trump, The Telegraph has reported. According to the paper, the man was forced to resign from Henley College in Oxfordshire, after he was accused of radicalizing stude»»»
EU should never bow to Trump’s demands – European Commission vice-president
The EU should listen to US President Donald Trump but never yield to his demands, Teresa Ribera, the European Commission’s vice-president, stated in an interview with the Financial Times published on Friday. Brussels should listen to but not blindly accept demands from Washington to ditch laws on ‘»»»
Spanish man and 3 children missing after Indonesia tourist boat sinks
Jakarta: A Spanish man and three of his children are missing after a tourist boat sank in rough seas in Indonesia, rescuers told AFP on Saturday. The vessel was carrying 11 people when it sank in the Padar Island Strait near the popular tourist destination of Labuan Bajo on Friday night, state news»»»
6.6-magnitude earthquake hits off Taiwan: USGS
Taipei: A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan's northeastern coast on Saturday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, the second major tremor to hit the island within days. Taiwan's weather agency, which put the magnitude at 7.0, said the quake hit at 23:05 pm (1505 GMT) at a depth of 73 kil»»»
Somalia’s Al-Shabaab Vows to Fight Any Israeli Use of Somaliland
Somalia's Al-Qaeda-linked militant group Al-Shabaab vowed Saturday to fight any attempt by Israel "to claim or use parts of Somaliland" following its recognition of the breakaway territory. "We will not accept it, and we will fight against it," Al-Shabaab said in a statement. Its spokesman Ali Dhee»»»
Netanyahu to Meet Trump in US on Monday for Talks on Iran, Gaza, Hezbollah, Syria
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due to meet US President Donald Trump in Florida on Monday, an Israeli official told AFP, in what is seen as a crucial visit for the next steps of the fragile Gaza truce plan. It will be Netanyahu's fifth visit to see key ally Trump in the United States »»»
Fresh UK sanctions on Syria send a message
As Syrians were celebrating the full repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, the United Kingdom announced a new round of sanctions—an unmistakable reminder that Syria’s reckoning with punitive measures is far from over. By targeting not only figures linked to the former regime but also »»»
6.6-magnitude earthquake hits off Taiwan: USGS
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan's northeastern coast on Saturday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, the second major tremor to hit the island within days. Taiwan's weather agency, which put the magnitude at 7.0, said the quake hit at 23:05 pm (1505 GMT) at a depth of 73 kilometres »»»
6.6-Magnitude Earthquake Hits off Taiwan
A 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck off Taiwan's northeastern coast on Saturday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said, but there were no immediate reports of casualties or damage. Taiwan's weather service, which put the magnitude at 7.0, said the quake hit at 23:05 pm (1505 GMT) at a depth of 73 kilo»»»