A US announcement launched the second phase of a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, as questions swirl over the future of Hamas after nearly two years of an unprecedented war with Israel that has only partially subsided. The ceasefire is part of a peace plan proposed by US President Donald Trum»»»

Three women lost their lives in a serious overnight fire in Sofia’s Svoboda district, authorities confirmed. The victims were a 75 year old woman and her two daughters, aged 51 and 47. All three died from smoke inhalation. Another person was taken to the Pirogov emergency hospital, while one family»»»

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Xi Jinping in Beijing on Friday, during the first visit by a Canadian leader to China in eight years after a period of testy relations. Carney hailed a “new strategic partnership” as Ottawa seeks to reduce reliance on the US afte»»»

Manila: The Philippines will allow visa-free entry for Chinese nationals starting Friday (January 16, 2026), permitting stays of up to 14 days for tourism or business purposes through Manila and Cebu airports only, the Department of Foreign Affairs announces. The recent announcement from the Philip»»»

A 24-year-old woman was arrested early Friday after losing control of her car and slamming into 15 parked vehicles, a kiosk and a shop in the northern city of Thessaloniki, police said. The crash happened around 4 a.m. at the intersection of Botsari and Papafi streets. Authorities said the driver w»»»

While a year ago Ukraine was overwhelmingly dependent on American intelligence capabilities, today “two-thirds of those capabilities are provided by France,” says France’s President Emmanuel Macron on BFMTV. France has readily stepped in to make sure the West’s proxy war doesn’t lose steam — even i»»»

Abu Dhabi: A woman has been fined Dh10,000 for verbally insulting another woman, after an Abu Dhabi court found that the abuse caused psychological and moral harm. The decision was issued by the Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims Court, which found that the defendant’s conduct had un»»»

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, has urged everyone across the UAE to follow our national media channels, which will broadcast the national anthem at 11:00 am t»»»

Bulgaria’s Parliament has approved changes to the Law on Lending to Students and Doctoral Students, reducing the interest rate on student loans from 7% to 3%. The amendments were presented by Gabriel Valkov of the “BSP-United Left,” who is also the chairman of the parliamentary youth and sports com»»»

In December 2025, Bulgaria recorded a monthly inflation rate of 0.1%, while annual inflation reached 5.0%, according to the National Statistical Institute (NSI). The monthly figure compares December to November 2025, and the annual figure reflects changes from December 2024 to December 2025. The av»»»

Interview by Abdulaziz Al-Husseini KUWAIT, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- Kuwait Zakat House continues to implement its social and humanitarian initiatives and programs within the country, reflecting its approach toward localizing charitable work and enhancing its sustainable developmental impact.This approach c»»»

Doha: The Open Fire Food Festival, curated and presented by Steve Harvey, brought its signature fiery flavours and eccentric energy to the 15th edition of the Qatar International Food Festival (QIFF) at Stadium 974. The much-anticipated two-day event kicked off yesterday with a lively panel discuss»»»

Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison Friday for obstruction of justice and other charges. He is seen here on a television in Seoul Station airing the live broadcast of his trial. Photo by Yonhap Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to five years in prison Fri»»»

Thirteen people were arrested Thursday in Acharnes, in the northwestern outskirts of Athens, on charges of stealing electricity. A special police operation targeting illegal activity in the area also led to the removal of about 800 meters of illegally connected cables supplying homes. Police also r»»»

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) on Thursday approved a package of measures to fill membership vacancies and improve public services and administrative performance, in a move it said was aimed at meeting citizens’ expectations and opening a new phase based on partnership and justice. T»»»

Dubai: Chef Nobu Matsuhisa, the acclaimed Sultan of Sushi and the culinary legend has opened his third restaurant at One Zabeel and the opening night was star-studded with celebrities like Lindsay Lohan and Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez. Farhana Bodi was spotted walking the red carpet at t»»»

DOHA: Qatar’s retail sector is strengthening its position as a key driver of economic expansion, supported by rising consumer wealth, rapid digital adoption, and increasing demand for premium retail experiences. Analysts say the sector’s growth this year and beyond will have a multiplier effect acr»»»

DOHA: Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani received a telephone call yesterday from the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom H E Keir Starmer. During the call, several regional and international developments of common interest were discussed, especially those related to the importance of streng»»»

Doha: The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced significant reductions to a range of service fees, alongside the expansion of fee exemptions for many transactions for the first time, in a move aimed at easing access to government services and strengthening the country’s investment environment. Th»»»

Doha: Qatar’s tourism sector closed 2025 with solid momentum and enters 2026 positioned for further expansion, according to insights from the latest Arabian Travel Market (ATM) Travel Trends Report. The study places the country among the Middle East’s most resilient and fast-evolving destinations, »»»

DOHA: Minister of Interior and Commander of the Internal Security Force (Lekhwiya) H E Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani met yesterday with the Qatari security forces participating in securing the Milano–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy taking place from February 6 to 22, 2026»»»

MEXICO (Sputnik) - The Venezuelan government's goal is to preserve the country's national authority and sovereignty, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Friday. "Today we can say that our objective, as an oath to the president and the first lady, is to preserve national authority, t»»»

NEW YORK, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres strongly condemned the Israeli occupation' unlawful entry into a United Nations property in occupied East Jerusalem, the UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, and the order of its temporary closure.The UNRWA Jerusalem Health Centre, which se»»»

A Greek court on Thursday acquitted a group of rescue volunteers who aided migrants on the island of Lesvos, ending a case that drew criticism from international human rights groups. The 24 defendants include Syrian competitive swimmer Sarah Mardini, who was arrested in 2018 and whose ordeal inspir»»»

Dubai: Dubai will host the largest edition of the World Governments Summit (WGS) in its history in 2026, with 35 heads of state and government confirmed to attend, according to Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the World Governments Summit Organisation. S»»»

The President will hand over a government-forming mandate to the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms on Friday, the head of State's press centre said. The second mandate - to Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria - was returned unfulfilled on January 14. After Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov tende»»»

Dubai: Mosques across the UAE will dedicate Friday sermons to Day of Resolve, a national occasion marked on January 17. The sermon, to be delivered nationwide, will highlight the UAE’s journey under its leadership, emphasising cohesion between the people and their rulers, the role of the armed forc»»»

WASHINGTON, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced the formation of a "Board of Peace" for the Gaza Strip, just as he had promised early 2026."It is my Great Honor to announce that the Board of Peace has been formed," Trump wrote on Truth Social late Thursday."The Members of the Boa»»»

Ali Larijani, seen here as Iran's Parliamentary speaker in 2012, was sanctioned by the United States on Thursday. He is currently secretary of Iran's Supreme Council for National Security. Photo Maryam Rahmanian/UPI | License Photo Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The United States has sanctioned five Iranian secu»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in the UAE edged lower on Friday morning, offering buyers a brief pause after a sharp run that pushed rates to record territory earlier this week. At 9.30 am, 24-karat gold stood at Dh554.25 a gram, down from Dh556 on Thursday, while 22-karat slipped to Dh513.25 from Dh514.75. (C»»»

A fire broke out in a three-story dormitory in Sverdlovsky district of Bishkek. It was fully extinguished at 10:20 a.m. According to the city’s Emergency Situations Department, one fire crew and the command unit were involved in extinguishing the fire. During the inspection of the scene, the body o»»»

A political leader demanding questionable policy from the central bank and testing the legal limits to get it - to Martin Redrado, sitting in Argentina, Donald Trump's stand-off with the Federal Reserve feels surprisingly familiar. Redrado was fired as head of Argentina's central bank in 2010, afte»»»

The country’s seasonal influenza wave appears to have reached its peak, health officials said, as hospitalizations continued to rise but at a slower pace than earlier weeks. The share of patients testing positive for flu among those visiting doctors dipped slightly but remained high, while severe l»»»

The Bishkek District Court granted the akimiat’s request and imposed a temporary ban on peaceful assemblies in Pervomaisky district of the capital. The restriction is in effect from January 1 to March 31, 2026, inclusive. According to the court’s press service, the corresponding decision was made o»»»

The court has extended the pretrial detention of Temirlan Sultankbekov, Kadyrbek Atambayev, Shailoobek Atazov, and other suspects in the case concerning the organization of mass unrest for two months—until March 17. Lawyer Nurbek Toktakunov reported that during the court hearing, some of the detain»»»

A Brisbane woman got the fright of her life when she woke to find a two-and-a-half-metre carpet python curled up on top of her. Rachel Bloor initially thought the weight on her stomach and chest was her labradoodle. “I put my arm on the covers and felt it move in my hands,” she told ABC News. Reali»»»

Quick question time and regular question time are on the National Assembly’s Friday agenda, according to its approved work schedule for the day. Under Parliament’s rules, during the first up to two hours of the sitting on the first Friday of every month, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Mini»»»

Ukraine’s government has agreed to broaden the tax base, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Director of Communications Julie Kozack said at a briefing. Enacting legislation “to tax income earned through digital platforms, closing customs loopholes for consumer goods, and resuming and removing exempt»»»

The illegal activities of S.M.A., the owner of a pawnshop network and major loan shark, were stopped in Bishkek. The press center of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported. According to the SCNS, S.M.A., motivated by personal gain, carried out unlawful pawnshop and usurious activ»»»

On January 20, drinking water supply to residential buildings, schools, preschool, healthcare, and other social and industrial facilities will be stopped in some parts of the capital from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. The press service of the City Hall reported. The following areas will be affected: The outage »»»

South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol has arrived in court for the verdict over his failed martial law bid in 2024. Yoon, who is accused of obstructing justice and other charges in this case, faces a 10-year jail term if found guilty. This is the first of the verdicts in the eight trials »»»

The American Civil Liberties Union on Thursday filed a lawsuit on behalf of Minnesotans to stop the Trump administration from using allegedly unconstitutional practices in its immigration crackdown. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The American Civil Liberties Union filed a»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The United States is sending troops to the Middle East over the consideration of potential strikes on Iran by President Donald Trump, Fox News reported on Thursday, citing military sources. At least one US aircraft carrier is moving toward the region amid the growing tensions»»»

MEXICO CITY (Sputnik) - Venezuela has the right to relations with all countries of the world, including China, Russia, Cuba, and Iran, and will exercise this right in compliance with international norms, Venezuelan Acting President Delcy Rodriguez said on Thursday. Venezuela’s Acting President Delc»»»

Hungary’s government announced the launch of a national petition in response to the European Commission’s financial plans to support Ukraine. Minister Gergely Gulyás described the proposal—involving €800 billion in funding—as a direct threat to Europe’s future, warning that its approval would finan»»»

President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov has signed a decree on the establishment of a state publishing house Kyrgyz Tuusu. According to the document, the decision is aimed at developing state information policy, strengthening the printing base, ensuring the stable operation of state media, and optimi»»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has adopted a resolution imposing a temporary ban on the export of recoverable paper and cardboard (waste paper), classified under code 4707 of the EAEU Foreign Economic Activity Commodity Nomenclature. The document will take effect in 15 days. According to th»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump expressed support for the newly formed Palestinian technocratic government, the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza. "As Chairman of the Board of Peace, I am backing a newly appointed Palestinian Technocratic Government, the National Commit»»»

The approach of nation states to migration has changed, partly as a result of everyday experiences among the population, György Bakondi, the prime minister’s chief domestic security adviser, said on Thursday on TV2’s Mokka program. Mr. Bakondi recalled that in 2015 there were those who believed mig»»»

Designated personnel of the Hungarian Defence Forces (HDF) will assist from Thursday in delivering firewood provided under the social firewood program to those in need More than 30 trucks and 160 soldiers are taking part in the operation in three counties – Baranya, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, and Szabol»»»