'No worries': Trump downplays Chinese military drills around Taiwan
US President Donald Trump said he is not worried about Beijing's military drills around Taiwan, choosing to instead highlight his rapport with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping. "I have a great relationship with President Xi, and he hasn't told me anything about [the drills]. I certainly have seen»»»
NYE 2026: Which Dubai roads close first? Must-see map for Burj Khalifa and Downtown
As Dubai prepares to welcome 2026 with a world-class spectacle at the Burj Khalifa, authorities are prioritising a seamless experience for the 2.7 million people expected to move across the city. With 48 firework displays planned across 40 locations, the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unve»»»
The fight over Christian nationalism in a small Tennessee town
As Josh Abbotoy gazes out at lush green woods and pastureland nestled among Tennessee's Appalachian hills, he describes what he intends to build here: a neighbourhood with dozens of residential lots, centred around a working farm and, crucially, a church. "A customer might very well buy and build r»»»
Brazil's Bolsonaro undergoes second medical procedure for hiccups
Brazil's imprisoned former president, Jair Bolsonaro, has undergone a second medical procedure in just three days to treat his persistent hiccups. Doctors performed a "phrenic nerve block procedure" on Bolsonaro to block his left phrenic nerve, after treating Bolsonaro's right one on Saturday. The »»»
Naan: How the 'world's best bread' travelled from Islamic courts to our plates
A pillowy-soft naan - a leavened flatbread popular in South Asia - paired with rich, creamy butter chicken gravy is one of the most popular comfort foods in the region, and it's also one of the most popular Indian dishes abroad. And while the tangy, aromatic gravy is often considered the show steal»»»
Coups, elections and protests - a difficult year for democracy in Africa
October's shocking events in Tanzania offer a snapshot of some of the tensions which have shaped a difficult year for African politics. Demonstrators were shot dead by police while protesting against what they saw as a rigged election - condemned by regional and continental bodies - shattering the »»»
Trump hopes to reach phase two of Gaza ceasefire 'very quickly'
Donald Trump said he hoped to reach phase two of the Gaza peace plan "very quickly", as he warned Hamas would have "hell to pay" if it did not disarm quickly. The US president, whose 20-point peace plan requires the militant group to disarm, made the comments as he met Israeli Prime Minister Benjam»»»
Russia's losses in Ukraine rise faster than ever, as US pushes for peace deal
Over the past 10 months, Russian losses in the war with Ukraine have been growing faster than any time since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, BBC analysis suggests. As peace efforts intensified in 2025 under pressure from US President Donald Trump's administration, 40% more obituaries »»»
Peace Priority: Legal Guarantees Needed to Solve Ukraine Conflict’s Root Causes – Lavrov to Sputnik
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sat down with Sputnik to discuss the US–Russia dialogue on resolving the Ukraine conflict, Russia’s progress on the battlefield, and the importance of creating a viable system of security guarantees. Question: In February, Russia and the United States agreed t»»»
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 »»»
Saudi Arabia Among Top 10 Investors in Tunisia With Over $375 Mln
Saudi investments in Tunisia have gathered momentum over recent years, placing the kingdom among the country’s top 10 foreign investors, with cumulative investments surpassing $375 million by the end of 2024. The figures were disclosed at the Saudi-Tunisian Business Forum, held in Riyadh on Monday »»»
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»»»
Trump says US hit 'big facility' linked to alleged Venezuelan drug boats
President Donald Trump said the US has carried out a strike on a "dock area" linked to alleged Venezuelan drug boats. Speaking to reporters at Mar-a-Lago in Florida on Monday, Trump said there had been a "major explosion" last week where "they load the boats up with drugs". He did not give details »»»
Iran Mobilizes Remnants of Fourth Division to Stoke Syria Unrest
The Syria TV website said Iran has been working since early December to mobilize remnants of the Fourth Division, which was linked to Iran and previously overseen by Maher al-Assad, the brother of fugitive President Bashar al-Assad, to inflame the situation in Syria. Citing regional security source»»»
Trump administration awards $50B for rural healthcare - UPI.com
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services on Monday announced the agency will distribute $50 billion over the next five years to all 50 U.S. states to improve rural healthcare. File Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo Dec. 29 (»»»
Trump: Hezbollah has been behaving badly, we'll see what happens
U.S. President Donald Trump said Monday that Hezbollah "has been behaving badly," following talks in Florida with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. "We're gonna see about that. We'll see about it. The Lebanese government is a little bit of disadvantage if you think about it with Hezbollah,»»»
Environment ministry engages youth in fifth edition of ‘Little Employee’ initiative
Tribune News Network DOHA As part of the fifth edition of the Little Employee initiative, in which the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change is participating, around 15 male and female students, accompanied by their parents, took part in a field experience across several departments of the min»»»
Rayyan Zone of CIC Qatar hosts quiz competition as part of QND celebrations
Tribune News Network Doha As part of the Qatar National Day (QND) celebrations, the Rayyan Zone of the Center for Indian Community (CIC) Qatar successfully organized an engaging quiz competition that brought together teams from various parts of the community for a spirited display of knowledge and »»»
ICBF inks pact with Micro Health Labs for free radiology services to low-income expats
Tribune News Network Doha Micro Health Laboratories, Qatar’s leading private-sector Precision Diagnostic Centre, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), operating under the patronage of the Embassy of India in Qatar, to provide free radiolog»»»
Telangana Gulf Samithi celebrates International Migrants Day in Doha
Tribune News Network Doha The Telangana Gulf Samithi (TGS) – Qatar organised a grand and vibrant celebration to mark International Migrants Day, honoring the dedication, resilience, and sacrifices of migrant workers who continue to play a vital role in Qatar’s development. The event brought togethe»»»
HH Deputy Amir accords Al Wajbah Decoration to Gambian ambassador
QNA Doha The Deputy Amir His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani met with Ambassador of the Gambia HE Foday Malang, who called to greet His Highness on the occasion of the end of his tenure in the country,in his office at the Amiri Diwan on Monday. HH the Deputy Amir accorded the Gambian am»»»
QNL set to welcome New Year with a diverse line-up of events
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar National Library (QNL) will kick off 2026 with an engaging line-up of programmes designed to inspire learners of all ages, support personal and professional growth, and bring the community together through culture and creativity. Serving as a vibrant hub for lifelong»»»
QF opens global horizons for young musical talent
Tribune News Network Doha For the young musicians of Qatar Music Academy, a one-week camp at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid offered far more than intensive training – it was a transformative experience that boosted confidence, broadened horizons, and opened new pathways for the future. I»»»
Shura members laud sports clubs for instilling patriotism among youth
The Shura Council members emphasised that the role of these clubs cannot be ignored in social upbringing, which vividly complements the roles of family, school, mosque, media, and other community institutions. The members addressed the multiple contributions of the clubs in all societies, noting th»»»
Qatar’s mediation effortsQatar becomes hub for discussing complex global, regional conflicts
QNA Doha Qatar’s diplomacy is distinguished by adoption of the principle of resolving disputes by peaceful means, dialogue and mediation as a priority in its foreign policy. This is a constitutional commitment of Qatar, as Article No. 7 of the Permanent Constitution issued in 2003 stipulates that Q»»»
Qatar continues its march towards a confident future
QNA Doha The State of Qatar is moving diligently and confidently along the robust pathway of development and nation-building toward a bright future for the glory of the nation, ensuring that every single citizen is fully equipped to excel, contribute meaningfully, achieve, and distinguish themselve»»»
‘Rush Rush’ platform kicks off operations with partnership model supporting restaurants and merchants
Tribune News Network Doha In a move to reshape the digital delivery landscape in Qatar, the Qatari platform Rush Rush has officially launched operations with an innovative vision built on the principle of fair partnership, introducing a unique business model that balances service efficiency with th»»»
QC inaugurates 10 Quranmemorisation centres in Somalia
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Charity (QC) inaugurated the ‘Amina Centre for Quran Memorisation’ in the Kahda area of the Banadir region, Somalia. This is the tenth centre QC has built in 2025 in the country, with the support of generous donors in Qatar. The centre consists of three classrooms, i»»»
AL MURAIKHI BIDS FAREWELL TO INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR
AL MURAIKHI BIDS FAREWELL TO INDONESIAN AMBASSADOR Minister of State for Foreign Affairs HE Sultan bin Saad Al Muraikhi on Monday met with Ambassador of Indonesia to Qatar HE Ridwan Hassan on the occasion of the end of his tenure. The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs thanked the ambassador for»»»
NHRC’s 4th national drug enforcement forum on Jan 20, 21
QNA Doha The National Human Rights Committee (NHRC) has announced the convention of its fourth national forum titled “Human Rights at the Core of Combating Drugs: Challenges and Prospects for Sustainable Solutions”, to be held on January 20 and 21, 2026, in partnership with the Ministry of Interior»»»
Egyptian-British man freed; some call for him to lose citizenship - UPI.com
A British-Egyptian man has been released from an Egyptian prison after 10 years. But some are calling for him to lose his British citizenship after old tweets have surfaced. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A political prisoner freed from an Egyptian prison and broug»»»
Ukraine hit by fresh energy sector corruption probe
Ukrainian prosecutors have exposed a criminal scheme that illegally siphoned off electricity worth millions of dollars from state-owned energy giant Ukrenergo. According to a statement by the Prosecutor General’s Office on Monday, officials at a commercial enterprise signed a supply contract with n»»»
Houthis vow to strike Israeli targets in African territory
Houthi rebels in Yemen have declared any Israeli presence in the breakaway region of Somaliland a legitimate military target. The warning comes days after Israel became the first country to recognize the independence of the Somalian territory. In a statement on Sunday, Houthi leader Abdulmalik al-H»»»
U.S. pledges $2B in U.N. humanitarian, down from height of $17B in 2022 - UPI.com
An U.N. truck passes the United Nations Relief and Works Agency girls school in the Deheisheh Refugee Camp near Bethlehem, West Bank, on January 5. A new, targeted model of U.S. humanitarian aid to the United Nations will not provide funding to Gaza projects. File Photo by Debbie Hill/UPI | License»»»
Soothe your mind and body with this quick, comforting cabbage soup
After weeks of buttery sweets, crisp latkes, rich stews and cheese-laden casseroles, I’m in the mood for meals that are lighter but still warming and cozy. Baechu Doenjang Guk, or Cabbage and Doenjang Soup as it’s called in English, is Joanne Lee Molinaro’s way of soothing her mind and body. Known »»»
Iran 2025: When Diplomacy Advanced Under the Shadow of Deterrence
Batoul Wehbe Between negotiation tables and confrontation arenas, between active diplomacy and attempts to derail it by force, the Islamic Republic of Iran moved through 2025 in one of the most sensitive and consequential years of its contemporary history. It was a year defined by the management of»»»
Netanyahu to ask Trump for more strikes on Iran – WaPo
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly plans to ask US President Donald Trump to approve or join new military strikes against Iran’s ballistic missile facilities, The Washington Post has claimed ahead of their meeting on Monday. In June, the US and Israel conducted a joint airstrike c»»»
Olabi: UN General Assembly reaffirmed Syria’s sovereignty over Golan
New York, Dec.29 (SANA) Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi, said that Israel has been occupying the Syrian Golan for nearly sixty years, and the UN General Assembly reaffirmed Syria’s sovereignty over the Golan this month, with 123 countries voting for the necessi»»»
Winter storm wreaking havoc in Midwest, Northeast; flights canceled - UPI.com
A winter storm is dropping snow, ice and high winds on the Midwest Monday. File Photo by Tannen Maury/UPI | License Photo Dec. 29 (UPI) -- A winter storm is hitting the Midwest with strong winds, snow, ice and canceled flights expected. A winter rainstorm is happening in the northeast and the south»»»
Beyoncé declared a billionaire by Forbes
Beyoncé has been declared a billionaire by Forbes, making her the fifth musician to join the world's wealthiest people. The American star has joined an elite group of musicians with 10-figure fortunes, Forbes reports, including Taylor Swift, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen and her husband Jay-Z, who the»»»
‘This is just the beginning’: Russian experts comment on latest Trump-Zelensky meeting
On Sunday, a series of diplomatic contacts took place between both the US and Russia and between Washington and Kiev, which were presented as a potential turning point in discussions on a settlement of the Ukraine conflict. RT has compiled assessments from Russian politicians, experts, and journali»»»
Suspect confessed he planted 6 Jan pipe bombs, prosecutors say
The man charged with planting pipe bombs in Washington, DC, the night before the 6 January 2021 riot on Capitol Hill has confessed that he assembled and placed the two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), according to a new court filing. Brian Cole Jr, 30, told federal agents that he planted the bo»»»
UAE NYE 2026: Dubai announces park timings for New Year fireworks and drone shows
Dubai is gearing up to welcome 2026 with spectacular celebrations, including record-breaking fireworks and a first-ever drone show at Dubai Frame. To make the most of the holiday, Dubai Municipality has announced extended hours for its public parks and recreational facilities on December 31, 2025, »»»
Plenary in Parliament to consider several bills on December 31
Tunis, Dec. 29 (TAP) - The Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) will hold a plenary session on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, starting at 10:00 a.m.According to a statement issued by the Assembly on Monday evening, the agenda includes...»»»
Trump hosts Netanyahu, warns Iran against nuclear rebuild
Palm Beach: President Donald Trump warned Iran against reconstituting its nuclear program Monday as he welcomed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his home in Florida for wide-ranging talks. The warning comes after Trump has insisted that Tehran's nuclear capabilities were "completely and»»»
Israeli occupation forces raid the village of Um Safa, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank: reports - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli occupation forces raid the village of Um Safa, north of Ramallah in the occupied West Bank: reports 29-12-2025 21:54 PM Latest News»»»
Brazil leads international tourism in South America in 2025 - UPI.com
Tourists visit the Iguazu Falls in Iguazu National Park in Foz do Iguazu, Brazil, last week. Photo by Juan Pablo Pino/EPA Dec. 29 (UPI) -- International tourism across South America rebounded strongly in 2025, led by Brazil, which received nearly 9 million foreign visitors and consolidated its posi»»»
QFA's Referees Department organises field experience for promising referees
Doha: The Qatar Football Association's (QFA) Referees Department organised a field experience for a number of promising referees alongside elite referees, on the sidelines of their officiating matches in the Doha Bank Stars League. The field experience took place during the Al Arabi vs. Al Rayyan m»»»
Nepal to scrap 'failed' Mount Everest waste deposit scheme
A scheme to encourage climbers to bring their waste down from Mount Everest is being scrapped - with Nepalese authorities telling the BBC it has been a failure. Climbers had been required to pay a deposit of $4,000 (£2964), which they would only get back if they brought at least 8kg (18lbs) of wast»»»
Peru’s copper output could double with large-scale projects - UPI.com
A view of the town of Morococha and the Toromocho copper mine during an eviction operation in Morococha, Peru, in September. The last five families from the old town of Morococha were forcibly removed from their homes in an operation involving numerous police officers, who blocked access to the are»»»