Qatar Falconry and Hunting Festival kicks off today
Doha: The 17th edition of the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) will commence today, January 1, 2026. Held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival will take place at the Marmi Sabkha in Sealine and will continue until January 24, 2026. T»»»
House Judiciary Chair releases Jack Smith hearing transcript, video - UPI.com
The House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday released the transcript and video of former special counsel Jack Smith's 8-plus hour closed-door testimony about his efforts to prosecute President Donald Trump. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Former special counsel Jack Smith de»»»
DOJ says 5.2M pages of Epstein files are under review - UPI.com
The Justice Department on Wednesday announced it is reviewing 5.2 million more pages of Jeffrey Epstein case files and intends to make them available in January. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice is reviewing 5.2 million more pages of the Jeffr»»»
Rep. James Comer announces oversight hearings over fraud in Minnesota - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., announced Wednesday that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold hearings over alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs starting next week. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The House Committee on O»»»
Trump issues first vetoes of second term on two infrastructure bills - UPI.com
1 of 2 | President Donald Trump has issued his first two vetoes of his second term this week, striking down infrastructure bills aimed at Colorado and Florida. Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump issued his first two vetoes of his second term this week, »»»
Former Sen. John Kyl of Arizona announces dementia diagnosis - UPI.com
Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, shown here in 2018, announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with dementia. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Former Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with dementia and will step away from publ»»»
Akakus Oil Operations exceeds production target, achieving over 325,000 barrels per day
Akakus Oil Operations announced today that it has succeeded in exceeding its production target of 320,000 barrels per day, having reached approximately 325,796 barrels per day as of 30 December 2025. The company said this achievement comes as part of its strategic plans to increase production rates»»»
Turning Qatar’s oil rigs into thriving marine habitats
Doha, Qatar: In the Arabian Gulf, some of the region’s richest pockets of marine life are forming in unexpected places: around the steel legs of offshore oil platforms. And according to Director of Research and Policy Development at Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Centre for a Sustainable Future, Dr. Ra»»»
Will the Gaza ceasefire make it to phase two?
US President Donald Trump warmly greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida this week as the two leaders put on a public display of unity on multiple fronts—from Gaza to Iran to Netanyahu’s legal and political challenges at home. This meeting came after week»»»
US’ Caribbean Show of Force Comes With Hefty Price Tag
The US could face serious problems sustaining a strike group deployed in the Caribbean amid escalating tensions with Venezuela, notes the New York Times. One potential challenge for the Trump administration is reportedly the cost of maintaining a massive military presence in the area.The aircraft c»»»
Turning Qatar’s oil rigs into thriving marine habitats
Tribune News Network Doha In the Arabian Gulf, some of the region’s richest pockets of marine life are forming in unexpected places: around the steel legs of offshore oil platforms. According to Dr. Radhouan Ben-Hamadou, director of Research and Policy Development at Qatar Foundation’s Earthna Cent»»»
Will the Gaza ceasefire make it to phase two?
US President Donald Trump warmly greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida this week as the two leaders put on a public display of unity on multiple fronts—from Gaza to Iran to Netanyahu’s legal and political challenges at home. This meeting came after week»»»
Lee to make state visit to China next week for summit with Xi Jinping - UPI.com
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung (R) will visit China next week for talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Cheong Wa Dae said Tuesday. In this November photo, the two leaders shake hands ahead of their meeting at the APEC summit in Gyeongju. Photo by Yonhap President Lee Jae Myung will make a»»»
BR Analysis | Local startup investment to become more specialised in 2026
The Romanian and CEE startup ecosystems are set to grow in 2026 following two years of structural changes in the way capital was formed and deployed in the region. Going forward, funds will be looking to startups working on AI-driven B2B software, cybersecurity, and dual-use technology, as well as »»»
Trump confirms strike on alleged drug port in Venezuela - UPI.com
1 of 2 | President Donald Trump, pictured in the White House earlier this month, on Monday acknowledged the the United States struck a dock in Venezuela, which would be the first time the military has hit an onshore target as part of the administrations efforts to stem the flow of drugs out of Vene»»»
Saudi Arabia Turns Potato Farming Challenge into Export Opportunity
In the deserts of Hail in northern Saudi Arabia, where rugged mountains border a climate that turns mild in summer and biting in winter, an unlikely agricultural success story has emerged. From sandy soil that appears unforgiving at first glance, uniform potatoes are harvested to meet the exacting »»»
K-pop band NewJeans breaks up after bitter feud with record label
Chart-topping K-pop band NewJeans is losing one of its members in what is yet another twist in the group's bitter year-long feud with its record label. In 2024, the band announced that they were leaving their record agency Ador, alleging workplace harassment which Ador denied. The move set off a le»»»
Philippines: 12-year-old child dies, another injured after firecracker explosion in Manila
Dubai: A 12-year-old boy was killed and another seriously injured after a cache of firecrackers they found on a street in Tondo, Manila, exploded on Sunday evening. The Manila Police District (MPD) confirmed that the incident occurred at approximately 8.23 pm on December 28 at the corner of Lorenzo»»»
India Supreme Court puts revised Aravalli definition on hold, considers fresh expert panel
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday put in abeyance its earlier order accepting a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills, after mounting concerns that the move could open large swathes of the ecologically sensitive range to mining activity. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice »»»
Plate number 12 steals the show as RTA auction hits Dh109 million
Dubai: A fierce bidding battle for the coveted car plate number 12 set the tone for Dubai’s latest distinctive number plate auction, propelling total sales to a record-breaking Dh109 million, the highest ever achieved by the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). The auction held on December 27 was h»»»
China’s core AI industry size hits $142 bn in 2025
QNA Beijing China’s core artificial intelligence (AI) industry exceeded one trillion yuan ($142 billion) in 2025, reflecting the country’s rapid advancements in emerging technologies and its growing global influence in AI development, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) annou»»»
Newly released Jordanian-British exchanges over the Iraq war are revealing
In the weeks leading up to the invasion of Iraq in 2003, the region stood on the cusp of a historic transformation. The invasion profoundly ruptured the Middle East's structure and fundamentally altered how the West managed its relationship with the region. Recently released British documents detai»»»
Salianji Holds Meeting with Democrats in Shkodër Amid Party Tensions
Former Democratic Party MP Ervin Salianji continued today his series of meetings with party members, holding a gathering in Shkodër at 18:00. The hall was filled with supporters, following previous stops in Elbasan, Durrës, and Gjirokastër. Earlier in the day, Sali Berisha and the Democratic Party »»»
Hong Kongers bid farewell to 'king of umbrellas'
Hong Kong: Scores of residents flocked to a cramped shop in Hong Kong's old district to bid farewell to the city's "king of umbrellas", who is retiring after spending decades repairing umbrellas at his family business. Established in 1842 during the Qing Dynasty, the Sun Rise Company was founded by»»»
Beyond tourism: Indonesian Ambassador Penny D. Herasati on Indonesia’s rise, EU ties and opportunities for Hungary – EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
Follow our Facebook page to get the latest news about Hungary! Follow our X (Twitter) page to get the latest news about Hungary! Subscribe to our Telegram channel to get the latest news about Hungary! whatsapp Subscribe to our WhatsApp channel to get the latest news about Hungary! ENITHRNLFRJARORUE»»»
How Israel's war on Gaza helped the Arab world rediscover its agency
The Gaza war has shattered illusions of regional stability and exposed the limits of Israeli and American dominance, but most importantly, it has hinted at what appears to be a rediscovery of Arab agency after decades of accumulated pressures, through the end of the Cold War and the Arab Spring 20 »»»
World Rapid, Blitz Chess Championships Qatar 2025 kicks off
DOHA: The competitions of the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships Qatar 2025 officially got underway at Qatar University's Sports and Events Complex, where the tournament will continue until December 30. The championship brings together the world's elite chess players to compete for four titl»»»
World Rapid, Blitz Chess Cup Qatar 2025 kicks off in Doha
Doha: The competitions of the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Cup Qatar 2025 officially got underway today at Qatar University's Sports and Events Complex, where the tournament will continue until December 30. The championship brings together the world's elite chess players to compete for four titles i»»»
Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Florida - UPI.com
President Donald Trump (R) escorts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18. Zelensky confirmed he'll have another meeting with Trump in the coming days. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Ukrainian Preside»»»
On This Day, Dec. 26: Shenandoah National Park established in Virginia - UPI.com
On Dec. 26, 1935, Shenandoah National Park was established in northern Virginia after years of raising funds to purchase the land 1 of 7 | The northern lights can be seen in the skies above the Shenandoah National Park near Front Royal, Va., on October 10, 2024. The park was established December 26»»»
Carlsen eyes titles as World Rapid and Blitz Championships get underway
Doha, Qatar: Chess maestro Magnus Carlsen made his intentions clear ahead of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships Qatar 2025, noting that he is in Doha to sweep the titles. During a pre-event press conference held in Lusail yesterday, the Norwegian five-time World Chess Champion, five-time »»»
French Christmas traditions: festivities that continue well into the New Year
Christmas in France would not be complete without free-flowing champagne, oysters or a bûche de Noël. And the French holiday season is longer than most – stretching into the New Year with Epiphany (January 6) and its traditional galettes des rois (king cake) into February with Chande»»»
Star cast gears up for Doha challenge at World Rapid and Blitz Championships
Doha, Qatar: The world’s top chess players have descended in Doha ahead of the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships Qatar 2025, scheduled to run from tomorrow, until December 30 at the Sports and Events Complex of Qatar University. World number one Magnus Carlsen arrives in Doha as the to»»»
What are professional footballers tucking into at Christmas?
Many of us have been waiting all year to tuck into our favourite festive treats. Christmas dinner can look very different for each household - but for professional footballers, it is still a time to stay focused on fitness and recovery for matches. Private chef Tommy Cole whips up meals for Premier»»»
French Christmas traditions, from foie gras to oysters and the bûche de Noël
Christmas dinner in France makes good on a promise to dine very well, offering everything from extravagant seafood platters to sweet treats such as the traditional Yule log cake (or bûche de Noël). Here are some of the delicacies you might find at a traditional French holiday feast. »»»
Russia’s evolving “no limits” defence and nuclear partnership with India
Russia and India have instituted what amounts to a "no limits” partnership, a phrasing previously reserved for Moscow's relationship with Beijing. Many reframed avenues of cooperation are becoming resurgent by progressively deepening cooperation across defence, nuclear technology, and logistical in»»»
Sean 'Diddy' Combs seeks to overturn conviction in expedited appeal - UPI.com
Sean "Diddy" Combs performs before accepting the Global Icon Award during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards at the Prudential Center in Newark, N.J., on September 12, 2023. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Dec. 24 (UPI) -- Sean "Diddy" Combs' attorney filed an expedited federal appeal»»»
Jack Smith: Release House committee deposition video to the public - UPI.com
Former special counsel Jack Smith takes a break during a closed-door deposition before the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC on December 17. In 2022, Smith was appointed to oversee two criminal investigations into former President Donald Trump's role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the »»»
Dhurandhar clocks 2 million illegal downloads in Pak
Despite its release being withheld in Pakistan and Gulf countries, Dhurandhar continues to do well at the Indian box office and beyond with a collection of over Rs10 billion. While it draws strong audiences in its official release markets, viewers in Pakistan are also allegedly finding ways to watc»»»
Did Dhurandhar director Aditya Dhar slyly slam Dhruv Rathee’s dangerous propaganda’ criticism
Dubai: Dhurandhar, Aditya Dhar’s high-octane spy thriller led by Ranveer Singh and Akshaye Khanna, is making waves—not just at the box office, but online as well. The film recently became the center of controversy when content creator and political commentator Dhruv Rathee released a video criticis»»»
Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun’s 20-Year age gap sparks buzz as Dhurandhar dominates box office globally
Dubai: Who said a 20-year age gap could slow down Ranveer Singh and Sara Arjun? Clearly, Dhurandhar didn’t get the memo. Since hitting theaters on December 5 in India and beyond, Aditya Dhar’s high-octane thriller has been smashing records—storming past Rs 10 billion globally. Box office history? C»»»
Trump unveils a new class of Navy battleship named after himself
Washington: President Donald Trump on Monday said he will oversee the development of a new class of Navy battleship - named after himself. The move was cast in part as an effort to give the nation’s stagnant shipbuilding industry a shot in the arm, but also will upend the Navy’s ship-naming norms a»»»
Western majors lobbying Ukraine to stop attacks on CPC oil export route, says analyst
Ukraine risks alienating allies with attacks on oil infrastructure in Russia that is vital to Kazakhstan’s oil exports and economy and is used by Western oil majors, an analyst warned on December 8. “It’s already clear tha»»»
The EU’s new supply web
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has long been pivotal to Europe’s industrial ecosystem. Over the past few decades, manufacturing gradually shifted from Western Europe to countries like Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, as companies were attracted by their strategic location, skilled yet lower»»»
The EU’s new supply web
Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) has long been pivotal to Europe’s industrial ecosystem. Over the past few decades, manufacturing gradually shifted from Western Europe to countries like Czechia, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia, as companies were attracted by their strategic location, skilled yet lower»»»
Latin America's rightward turn hands Trump new regional leverage
Chile's election of José Antonio Kast as president reinforces a renewed rightward shift across Latin America's major economies, accelerating the reversal of the left-leaning "pink tide" revival that swept the region in the early 2000s. »»»
Latin America's rightward turn hands Trump new regional leverage
Chile's election of José Antonio Kast as president reinforces a renewed rightward shift across Latin America's major economies, accelerating the reversal of the left-leaning "pink tide" revival that swept the region in the early 2000s. »»»
Latin America's rightward turn hands Trump new regional leverage
Chile's election of José Antonio Kast as president reinforces a renewed rightward shift across Latin America's major economies, accelerating the reversal of the left-leaning "pink tide" revival that swept the region in the early 2000s. »»»
Latin America's rightward turn hands Trump new regional leverage
Chile's election of José Antonio Kast as president reinforces a renewed rightward shift across Latin America's major economies, accelerating the reversal of the left-leaning "pink tide" revival that swept the region in the early 2000s. »»»
Venezuelan opposition leader faces perilous journey to collect Nobel prize
María Corina Machado, Venezuela's opposition leader who has been concealing her whereabouts since last year's disputed presidential election, has confirmed she will travel to Oslo this week to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, despite threats from Caracas' authorities that she will be branded a fugitiv»»»