President Donald Trump enshrined the US goal to put humans back on the moon by 2028 and defend space from weapon threats in a sweeping executive order issued on Thursday, the first major space policy move of his administration's second term. The order, issued hours after billionaire private astrona»»»

The Czech authorities have removed the Ukrainian flag from the Interior Ministry building, spokesman Ondrej Kratoska said on Thursday. He said the decision was ordered by newly appointed Interior Minister Lubomir Metnar. The ministry first placed the Ukrainian flag at its headquarters in Prague in »»»

The head of the US federal body responsible for enforcing workplace civil rights has urged white men to come forward if they believe they have been discriminated against, including under diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. In a video message published on Wednesday, Andrea Lucas, cha»»»

The paradox of 2025: between volatility and balance In 2025, IRCC recorded its steepest increase in recent years, surpassing 2024 and 2023 levels and reaching an all-time high of 6.06% in October. Unlike previous years, this evolution occurred in a context where income growth no longer offset highe»»»

President Rumen Radev concluded the government-forming consultations with representatives of the Velichie parliamentary group here on Friday, which is the final day of talks with all political formations in the 51st National Assembly. Radev said he will be handing over the exploratory mandate to fo»»»

Vazrazhdane will file an appeal with the Constitutional Court against Parliament’s decision to reject the President’s proposal to hold a referendum on the European currency, as well as submit a proposal to the National Assembly to repeal the Government’s decision to provide financial assistance to »»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and his wife Tamara hosted a dinner on Thursday evening for Georgian President Mikheil Kavalashvili, who is on an official visit to Serbia. Vucic noted that he believed in even better relations and stronger cooperation between Serbia and Georgia in the »»»

Egypt has drawn explicit “red lines” regarding the conflict in Sudan, warning that any attempt to cross them would directly threaten Egyptian national security. Cairo signaled it is prepared to take all measures permitted under the Joint Defense Agreement between the two countries, a position analy»»»

A record revenue of over BGN 1 billion has been collected from road tolls in 2025, outgoing Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Ivan Ivanov told journalists on Friday. Measures taken this year and all other improvements made within the National Toll Administration have led to this res»»»

During a working visit to Hungary, First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Daniyar Amangeldiev held talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary Péter Szijjártó. The Cabinet’s press service reported. The parties discussed the results of Kyrgyzstan-Hungary strategic partnership for 20»»»

Washington: US President Donald Trump has ordered a temporary suspension of the Diversity Visa Program -- commonly known as the green card lottery -- a move that could face immediate legal challenges. The diversity visa program, created by Congress, makes up to 50,000 green cards available each yea»»»

Riyadh, Dec. 19 (SANA) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia welcomed on Friday the United States’ decision to lift sanctions on Syria imposed under the Caesar Act, saying the move would support stability, prosperity, and development in the country. In a statement, the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said »»»

Bern, Dec. 19 (SANA) United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi has called for sustained support to enable the return of Syrian refugees to their homeland, voicing optimism that the process will continue. Speaking to Anadolu Agency on the sidelines of the second “Global Refugee Fo»»»

Dubai: Operations at Dubai International Airport have largely returned to normal following days of weather-related disruption, with flights now operating as scheduled and only a limited number of connecting services still being cleared. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.»»»

The man suspected of carrying out a mass shooting at Brown University that killed two people and wounded several others has been found dead, officials said on Thursday. Authorities believe the 48-year-old Portuguese national, a Brown student, was also responsible for the fatal shooting of a physici»»»

To help manage traffic, additional teams will be deployed at the entry and exit roads in Sofia and around shopping centres on Friday, Svetoslav Velichkov, head of Traffic Control and Event Security at the Traffic Police department of the Sofia Directorate of Interior, told reporters on Friday morni»»»

The number of fatalities in road traffic accidents since the beginning of the year is down by 22 from the same period of 2024, Lachezar Bliznakov from the Road Traffic Administration said here on Friday. He added that the number of people injured in serious traffic accidents since the beginning of »»»

BELGRADE - The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3758 dinars for one euro on Friday, which is a slight change relative to Thursday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is down by 0.1 pct against the euro m-o-m and by 0.3 pct y-o-y and relative to the begi»»»

Dubai: After temporarily closing on Thursday due to heavy rain, Global Village reopened on Friday, December 19, from 4 pm, welcoming families, tourists, and local visitors back to the popular entertainment and cultural destination. Click here to go to the live weather blogGuests can once again enjo»»»

The opposition party “We Continue Change” (WCC) has launched a campaign to recruit volunteers to serve as guarantors of fair elections, under the slogan “It will happen this way.” The initiative aims to ensure that Bulgaria’s elections are conducted transparently and without irregularities, followi»»»

The Veterinary, Development of Livestock, Pastures and Feed Service under the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic plans to pilot a Concept for Pasture Management in the Kyrgyz Republic in Naryn region. It was said in a report of the Deputy Directo»»»

Private consumption and external demand, in Latin America are expected to lose momentum in 2026. File Photo by Antonio Lacerda/EPA Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean said the region will remain on a low growth path in 2026 and warned that the main drivers o»»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's ambitions for Israel hold a major key to what will occur in the Middle East in 2026. Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA BEIRUT, Lebanon, Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The conflict-ridden Middle East will stand at a critical juncture in 2026 after power shifts and unresolved war»»»

Dubai: After two days of postponement due to heavy rains, the traditional Simbang Gabi masses have resumed at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Oud Metha and St. Francis of Assisi Church in Jebel Ali. An official announcement from St Francis Assisi of Jebel Ali confirmed that the prayers, a nine-day pr»»»

Avalanches are expected in the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan. The press service of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) reported. According to the ministry, due to forecast precipitation from December 20 to December 22, snow avalanches, snowdrifts, packed snow, and icy conditions are expe»»»

Following the Royal Commission for Riyadh City’ s announcement of the results of the electronic draw for purchasing residential land through the Real Estate Balance platform, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that some of the plots allocated to eligible beneficiaries will be sold at prices below SAR 1,500 (a»»»

Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday that Moscow’s troops were advancing across the battlefield in Ukraine, voicing confidence that the Kremlin's military goals would be achieved. Speaking at his highly orchestrated year-end news conference, Putin declared that Russian forces have “fully se»»»

Japan needs to consider developing its own nuclear weapons, a senior adviser to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi has reportedly told journalists. The unnamed official, who advises the prime minister on national security, argued that Japan’s long-standing reliance on the US nuclear deterrent may no lon»»»

US President Donald Trump has signed the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) into law, approving a record $901 billion in military spending while allocating $800 million in funding for Kiev over the next two years. The bill, which sets Pentagon priorities for fiscal year 2026, authoriz»»»

The EU’s plan to steal Russian assets held in the bloc in order to fund Ukraine’s military and prolong its disastrous war has failed to get the backing of bloc leaders. The other key EU summit pillar – approving a contentious trade deal with the South American bloc Mercosur – was also aborted at th»»»

After 17 hours of at times heated debate, EU leaders agreed in the early hours of Friday morning to jointly raise €90bn (£79bn; $105bn) in zero-interest loans to keep Ukraine financially afloat for the next two years. Kyiv had been clear: the money wasn't a nice-to-have; it was a must-have. With th»»»

Andrey Chorbanov has submitted his resignation from the There Is Such a People (TISP) parliamentary group, the press centre of the National Assembly confirmed for BTA on Friday. He will continue to perform his duties as an independent MP. Under the rules of the National Assembly, Chorbanov will hav»»»

In 2025, the Main Directorate for Combating Smuggling of the State Customs Service (SCS) of Kyrgyzstan demonstrated a significant increase in operational effectiveness, the press service of the SCS reported. According to the agency, from January to December 2025, a total of 9,604 violations of cust»»»

As of December 19, 2025, the interstellar visitor known as 3I/ATLAS (officially designated C/2025 N1) is making its closest approach to Earth before continuing its journey out of our Solar System. This enigmatic object, the third confirmed interstellar comet to pass through our neighbourhood, has c»»»

Unification Minister Chung Dong-young delivers opening remarks at the Northeast Asia Peaceful Coexistence Forum at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 12. Photo by Asia Today Dec. 18 (Asia Today) -- South Korea's Unification Ministry is seeking a larger role in shaping North Korea policy, but cr»»»

Mourners lay flowers as a tribute at the Bondi Pavilion in memory of the victims of a shooting at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on Monday, December 15, 2025. Photo by NSW Premier's Office/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday proposed a national gun buy»»»

A police officer suspected of raping a minor has been detained in Bishkek. Sources in law enforcement agencies reported on December 19. According to preliminary reports, the schoolgirl contacted the juvenile affairs inspectorate of the Internal Affairs Department of Sverdlovsky district and reporte»»»

KUWAIT, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The price of Kuwaiti oil went up by 63 cents to USD 59.55 per barrel (pb) on Thursday, compared to USD 58.92 pb the previous day, said the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) on Friday.In global markets, Brent Crude rose by 14 cents to USD 59.82 pb and West Texas Intermediat»»»

MADRID, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- Spain strongly condemned the announcement of new sanctions adopted by the United States against two judges of the International Criminal Court (ICC), alleging their direct involvement in politically motivated and illegal actions against the Israeli occupation.In a statement»»»

Greece's Coast Guard rescued about 545 migrants from a fishing boat off Europe's southernmost island of Gavdos on Friday, one of the biggest groups to reach the country in recent months. The migrants were found during a Greek search operation some 16 nautical miles (29.6 km) off Gavdos, Reuters quo»»»

Brussels, Dec 19 (SANA) The European Council reiterated support for Syria and its people, calling on all parties to respect its sovereignty and territorial unity. In a statement following its meeting in Brussels on the Middle East situation, the council expressed support for an inclusive and peacef»»»

TradeEuropeEU delays signing Mercosur free trade deal, againJon SheltonEU leaders have once again delayed signing a comprehensive trade deal with South America. Now 25 years in the making, lawmakers expect an agreement to be signed in January. https://p.dw.com/p/55ggHAfter a quarter century, the EU»»»

Dubai: Snowfall transformed parts of northern Saudi Arabia into an unexpected winter playground this week, drawing residents outdoors to ski, celebrate, and capture a scene rarely seen in the Kingdom. In the mountainous areas of Tabuk and Hail, particularly around Jabal Al Lawz near the Jordanian b»»»

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has temporarily suspended ferry services between Dubai and Sharjah due to ongoing adverse weather conditions. Passengers are advised to monitor official updates and consider alternative travel arrangements. The RTA thanked commuters for their understanding an»»»

A draft set of aviation rules «APKР-6. Part IV. Operation of Aircraft. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles» has been submitted for public discussion in Kyrgyzstan. The document was prepared in accordance with a Cabinet of Ministers resolution delegating rule-making authority to state bodies and is aimed at br»»»

Dubai: British professionals and business owners moving to the UAE are arriving better prepared than before, with visa pathways, budgets, and timelines increasingly planned in advance. Immigration specialists say the shift reflects growing use of long-term residency options and a more strategic app»»»

The future USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) sails on its own power for the first time out of Newport News, Virginia on April 8, 2017. File U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Ridge Leoni/UPI | License Photo Dec. 18 (Asia Today) -- HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering said »»»

“This National Assembly has been absolutely illegitimate from the start. We are in a mafia dictatorship that cannot survive under a market economy,” said Ivelin Mihaylov, leader of the Velichie party, on the last day of consultations with President Rumen Radev before the head of State starts the pr»»»

In a declaration read out in Parliament on Friday, Vazrazhdane said the Bulgarian State will give Ukraine between BGN 1 billion and BGN 2 billion as an interest-free loan, which will be repaid under two conditions – when Russia pays reparations to Ukraine, or, if that does not happen, when the EU c»»»

The Dubai Government Media Office confirmed on Friday that all main roads across the emirate remain open and accessible, citing information from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA). Click here to go to the live weather blog In a post on its official X account, the Media Office expressed appreci»»»