CAIRO, Dec 24 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Egypt had begun a downward path in its debt indicators, noting that public debt had fallen to about 84 percent of GDP from 96 percent two years ago, and that the government was working to reduce it to levels not seen in five decades. Madbo»»»

The Sharjah Literature Festival will return for its second edition in 2026 with a rich line-up of workshops, author talks, performances, events, and panel discussions. It will run between Jan 5 and 11 at the University City Hall Square in Sharjah, under the theme ‘A Community Woven by Tales’. A num»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian rocket Soyuz-2.1b will put 52 satellites into orbit from the Vostochny Cosmodrome located in Russia's eastern Amur Region during the final launch of 2025, Russian state space corporation Roscosmos said on Thursday. "Fifty-two satellites will start off on the Soyuz-2.1b la»»»

Israeli authorities announced on Thursday the arrest of an Israeli man on suspicion of committing security offences under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents, days after Tehran executed an Iranian accused of spying for Israel. The arrest is the latest in a series of cases in which Israel h»»»

Dubai: NBCC (India) Ltd has entered the Dubai property market with a Dh15 million land purchase, marking a rare overseas real estate investment by an Indian state-owned firm and signalling a shift toward global diversification. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The deal »»»

Vatican City: Pope Leo XIV on Thursday condemned the "rubble and open wounds" left behind by wars, singling out the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza as he conducted his first Christmas homily. "Fragile is the flesh of defenseless populations, tried by so many wars, ongoing or concluded, leaving »»»

Brasília, Brazil: Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro, imprisoned for attempting a coup, has been admitted to hospital in Brasilia where he will undergo a planned surgery, his doctors said Wednesday. A convoy of black cars and motorcycles entered the parking garage of the DF Star hospital earl»»»

Dubai: Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has been awarded Gold at the prestigious Ethraa Empowerment Program for Non-Profit Organisations, recognising its outstanding contributions to governance, service quality, and community impact. The award was presented by Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Director General »»»

Turkish authorities say they have disrupted planned attacks on Christmas and New Year's events after arresting more than 100 suspected members of the so-called Islamic State group. Mass raids were carried out at 124 addresses across Istanbul, the capital's chief prosecutor said, with firearms, ammu»»»

President Rumen Radev, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and political leaders extended their Christmas greetings to the Bulgarian people on December 25. In his Facebook message, President Radev wished that the great Christian holiday bring health, warmth and hope for a better future to ever»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has a plan to respond to the possible seizure of assets frozen in the West, and it will be implemented if necessary, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday. "An appropriate plan has been drawn up, and it will be implemented if such cases arise," Nov»»»

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Thursday that the country’s parliamentary elections are a constitutional obligation that must be carried out on time. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency quoted Aoun as saying that he, alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabi»»»

Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus. Leo, the first US pope, said the story of Jesus being born»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli occupation forces launch wide arrest campign across West Bank 25-12-2025 11:40 AM Latest News Urgent News Israeli occupation forces»»»

Two Lebanese citizens were martyred on Thursday in an Israeli strike on Hermel in eastern Lebanon as the Israeli enemy proceeded attacks in the country’s south in violation of the 2024 ceasefire. Al-Manar correspondent in Bekaa reported Israeli drone strike that targeted a passenger van at Al-Nasir»»»

Greece’s Coast Guard said it was searching for a missing person believed to be a minor after rescuing 52 migrants in two separate incidents in the Aegean on Thursday. Authorities found and rescued 13 foreign nationals who had reached the small island of Farmakonisi in the eastern Aegean but said on»»»

At the 4th People’s Kurultai, the President officially opened a number of industrial and social facilities across Kyrgyzstan in an online format. Delegates were shown a live video broadcast of the newly launched facilities. According to 24.kg news agency data, the list included 25 industrial facili»»»

Dubai: Dubai Airport Freezone welcomed AWOT Global Logistics Corporation's new regional headquarters Thursday, cementing the emirate's pull as a logistics powerhouse for one of the world's top 10 air freight companies. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.AWOT, ranked ninth»»»

If someone decides to exchange Bulgarian leva for euros at a currency exchange office right now, the loss is noticeable. For every 100 leva, the difference compared to the official fixed rate amounts to around 1.70 leva, or about 0.88 euros, Radio Free Europe reports. After January 1, however, exch»»»

New York: Days after Ghislaine Maxwell asked a judge to immediately free her from a 20-year prison sentence, the public release of grand jury transcripts from her sex trafficking case returned the spotlight to victims whose allegations helped land her behind bars. The disclosure of the transcripts »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Su-35S fighter has emerged as one of Russia's most in-demand combat jets, destroying the highest number of targets during the special military operation in Ukraine, Russian state tech corporation Rostec said on Thursday. The United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), which is a subsi»»»

Fraud has become one of the most widespread and dangerous types of crime today. President Sadyr Japarov said at the IV People’s Kurultai. The head of state noted that financial, property-related, digital, and everyday forms of fraud have become commonplace, causing citizens to lose money, property,»»»

Doha, Qatar: Gold prices in the Qatari market rose by 3.22 percent during the current week, reaching $4,479.89 per ounce on Thursday, according to data released by Qatar National Bank. The bank’s data showed that the price of gold per ounce increased from $4,339.73, its level last Sunday. At the sa»»»

Los Angeles: Flash flood warnings were in effect in Los Angeles and most of southern California on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of deadly mudslides. Driven by an atmospheric river known as “the Pineapple Express,” which moves heavy moi»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Lenka White – Renowned US investor Jim Rogers said in an interview with RIA Novosti that he considers the idea of building a tunnel between Russia and the United States to be wonderful and that it would benefit both countries. “It [tunnel] would be wonderful if it were easy to»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese President Joseph Aoun: International contacts ongoing, specter of war is receding 25-12-2025 10:43 AM Latest News Urgent News Leba»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates, in collaboration with Qatar’s Years of Culture, a national initiative that brings people together through cultural exchange, has released its first Latin America town hall, “How Should We Reinvent the City?” Held at Buenos Aires’ Usina del Arte, the eve»»»

Doha, Qatar: The opening whistle did more than signal the start of volleyball matches; it marked the beginning of a learning journey undertaken by students from Qatar Foundation (QF) schools at the ISF World Schools Volleyball Championship in Shangluo, China, an experience that extended beyond athl»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Zakat Affairs Department at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has announced the continued provision of its dedicated service for responding to public inquiries related to zakat rulings, as part of its advanced service framework aimed at enhancing zakat awareness and facilit»»»

The time has come for a true revival of the Kyrgyz film industry, President Sadyr Japarov stated today at the People’s Kurultai. According to him, it is necessary to create the necessary conditions for the production of high-quality and competitive films—from modernizing film studios and supporting»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar has unveiled several key initiatives in the industrial sector in this year that aim at diversifying the economy, promoting sustainability, and fostering growth, in line with the National Vision 2030. In a post on its X platform, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) highli»»»

Doha: Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has expanded its channel offerings by incorporating Al Taghier TV channel into its video distribution lineup at the 26° East orbital position, facilitated by the Es’hail-2 satellite. The Es’hailSat satellite footprint strategically encompasses the Midd»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Yug battlegroup liberated the settlement of Svyato-Pokrovskoe in the Donetsk People's Republic, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday. "As a result of decisive actions, units of the Yug battlegroup liberated the settlement of Svyato-Pokrovskoe in the Donetsk Peop»»»

Doha, Qatar: Dukhan Bank has announced the launch of its UK Winter Spend Campaign, offering customers additional DAwards when using their Dukhan Bank Visa credit cards in the United Kingdom during the winter season. The campaign runs from 24 December 2025 until 31 January 2026 and is aimed at enhan»»»

Doha: Hat-trick hero Rafa Mujica attributed self-belief as the key factor for Al Sadd SC’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Elite tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. Trailing 2-0 following goals from Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani, Al »»»

Doha, Qatar: Commercial Bank has been honoured with the prestigious Straight-Through-Processing (STP) Excellence Award from Citi Bank, recognising the Bank’s outstanding STP performance in achieving 99.9% in commercial payments and 100% in treasury payments. Held at Commercial Bank Plaza, the cerem»»»

Imani Dia Smith, a Broadway actor best known for playing Young Nala in the stage adaptation of The Lion King, was stabbed to death at her residence in New Jersey on Sunday, December 21. She was 25. According to a press release issued by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities responde»»»

Dubai: An Asian national was held by Dubai Police after he was caught driving intoxicated, crossing a red light and causing a crash with another vehicle. Two people were injured in the incident. He was referred to court, where the prosecution charged him with consuming alcohol, driving under the in»»»

The wet weather system that battered Attica on Wednesday is moving to the north of the country with rain and storms expected to affect several regions of Macedonia and islands of the northeastern Aegean on Christmas Day. In Epirus, western Thessaly (regional units of Karditsa and Trikala), central »»»

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi sought on Thursday to ease market concerns over her expansionary fiscal policy, saying the government's draft budget maintains discipline by limiting reliance on debt. There has been growing investor unease about fiscal expansion under Takaichi's administratio»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatari weightlifter Sarah Al-Qubaisi made a striking debut at the combined Qatar International Cup, Arab Championship, and West Asian Championship, currently underway at the Ezdan Palace Hotel until December 27. Competing in the women’s 77 kg category, she lifted 60 kg in the snatch an»»»

Dhaka: Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of joyous supporters after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and heir apparent of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, visited the winter camp for elite referees currently underway at the Hilton Doha Hotel, in the presence of Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Hani Taleb Balan. During the visit, Sheikh Hamad close»»»

Doha, Qatar: Al Ahli SC defeated PFC Andijon 2-0 at Al Thumama Stadium to book their AFC Champions League Two Round of 16 berth yesterday. The win meant the Qatari side topped Group B with 10 points while their beaten opponents from Uzbekistan were eliminated. Al Ahli had the better start with Erik»»»

For yet another winter, Bulgaria’s leading ski resorts continue to rank among Europe’s most affordable mountain destinations. Borovets and Bansko again place in the top five cheapest resorts on the continent, drawing attention as the new ski season approaches. With Bansko officially opening the 202»»»

Tunis, Dec. 25 (TAP)- The weather on Thursday is partly cloudy in most regions with temperatures rising slightly, the National Institute of Meteorology said. Temperatures are expected to range between 15°C and 20°C, hovering around 12°C in western...»»»

Abu Dhabi: With winter camping and outdoor gatherings surging across the country, the Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA) has launched a targeted awareness campaign warning desert-goers and park visitors against food safety lapses that could put public health at risk. Timed wit»»»

DOHA: The total value of real estate transactions registered with the Real Estate Registration Department at the Ministry of Justice from December 14 to 18 reached QR354,255,310, while the total value of residential unit sales contracts during the same period amounted to QR108,758,108. The weekly b»»»

China accused the US on Thursday of distorting its defense policy in an effort to thwart an improvement in China-India ties. Foreign ministry ‌spokesperson Lin ‌Jian was ‌responding ⁠to a question ‌at a press briefing on whether China might exploit a recent easing of tensions with India over disput»»»

Tunis, Dec. 25 (TAP)- President of the Republic Kais Saïed had a talk on Wednesday afternoon in Carthage with Premier Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri.The Head of State said it is imperative to "move up another gear in various fields," mainly following the...»»»