Hamas on Monday confirmed that its longtime spokesman was killed following an Israeli strike in August in war-torn Gaza, the first time the Palestinian militant group publicly acknowledged the death of one of its more prominent figures. The confirmation comes months after Israel said on Aug. 31 tha»»»

Dubai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday said it had seized five luxury cars, bank lockers, cash worth ₹17 lakh, digital devices, documents and other data linked to Rao Inderjeet Yadav, a wanted criminal now reportedly abroad, and his associates, according to Indian media reports. The seiz»»»

Turkish police detained 357 suspects in a nationwide operation against the ISIS group on Tuesday, the interior minister said, a day after three police officers and six militants were killed in a gunfight in northwest Türkiye. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya said authorities carried out raids in 21 »»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) visited a factory producing a multiple rocket launcher system, which he described as capable of "annihilating the enemy" through precise and devastating strikes, state media reported Tuesday. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- North Korean leader Kim Jong »»»

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 »»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan approved the procedure for assessing the conformity of certain vehicles imported from third countries. The document was adopted to implement the Council of the Eurasian Economic Commission’s decision No. 45 of May 23, 2025, and regulates the requirements for v»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has toured a factory making new multiple rocket launchers that could target the South, touting their ability to "annihilate the enemy" in a concentrated attack, state media reported Tuesday. The country is still technically at war with the South and "saturation" stri»»»

In an interview for BTA, psychotherapist Neli Lesser said that young and aware people will adapt more easily to the transition from the lev to the euro, as leaving one's comfort zone leads to fears. Asked why Bulgarians are concerned about the introduction of the euro, Lesser said that the Bulgaria»»»

Dubai: Four people were killed and nine others injured after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus reversed into pedestrians in Mumbai’s Bhandup area late Monday night, Indian media said. The accident occurred around 10pm near Bhandup West railway station, when the bus allegedly l»»»

The French government on Tuesday postponed a ban on plastic throwaway cups by four years to 2030 because of difficulties finding alternatives. The ban was meant to start on January 1. But the ministry for ecological transition said the "technical feasibility of eliminating plastic from cups" follow»»»

Damascus, Dec.30 (SANA) US President Donald Trump praised the efforts of President Ahmed al-Sharaa in leading Syria, expressing hope that Syria and Israel would reach an understanding in the period ahead. US media quoted Trump as making the remarks during a meeting with the Israeli prime minister i»»»

Ras Al Khaimah Police have issued a public safety advisory urging residents and visitors to exercise caution as strong winds and unstable weather conditions affect the emirate. Authorities advised the public to avoid unnecessary outdoor activities, warning that high winds can pose serious risks. Th»»»

Dubai: Dubai will introduce paid parking in International City from February 1, 2026, according to notices displayed across the community. Signboards installed by Parkin state: “Attention: Paid parking tariffs will apply in International City starting from 01 February 2026.” Parking charges will ap»»»

Taiwan's President Lai Ching-te on Tuesday expressed "strongest condemnation" as China kicked off a second day of live-fire drills around the self-ruled island. "China is disregarding the international community's expectations for peace and is deliberately undermining regional stability through mil»»»

Content warning: this article includes details about the impact of conflict on children in war zones and descriptions of injuries that some readers may find distressing. The first thing was that Abdelrahman's dad was killed. The family home was struck by an Israeli air strike. The boy's mum, Asma a»»»

DOHA: QNB Private Banking continues to strengthen its position as a leading wealth management institution in Qatar and the wider region, following its recognition in 2025 by respected financial publications, including Global Finance and MEED. During the year, QNB was named Best Private Bank in Qata»»»

DOHA: Qatari Diar Egypt, announced the award of one of the main construction packages for the CityGate New Cairo project to Concrete Plus, one of Egypt’s leading construction and engineering companies. This award comes as part of Qatari Diar’s strategy to accelerate construction progress on one of »»»

Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla on Tuesday over what it described as a shipment of weapons for a separatist force there that arrived from the United Arab Emirates. The kingdom later directly linked the UAE to the separatists' recent advances in Yemen and warned Abu Dhabi its action»»»

Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla on Tuesday over what it described as a shipment of weapons for a separatist force there that arrived from the United Arab Emirates. The kingdom later directly linked the UAE to the separatists' recent advances in Yemen and warned Abu Dhabi its action»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump warned Iran of fresh strikes and said Hamas would have "hell to pay" if it fails to disarm in Gaza, as he presented a united front with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. Speaking at a news conference with Netanyahu in Florida, Trump threatened to "erad»»»

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will visit China from January 4 to 7 and meet Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, the Blue House said on Tuesday, aiming to keep up ‌momentum to ‌restore ties, Reuters said. Making ‌his ⁠first visit ‌to China since he took office in June, Lee will also discuss plans»»»

Facebook owner Meta has agreed to acquire Manus, an artificial intelligence agent created by a company founded in China but now based in Singapore, the two firms said. However, analysts warned the deal could fall foul of regulators at a time of fierce technological rivalry between Washington and Be»»»

On Dec. 30, 2020, Becky Hammon of the San Antonio Spurs made history as the first woman to coach an NBA regular season game when she filled in for Greg Popovich after he was ejected during a game against the Los Angeles Lakers. 1 of 5 | San Antonio Spurs assistant coach Becky Hammon (C) coaches on »»»

DOHA: The construction sector in Qatar is experiencing growing momentum, supported by an increase in building permits during 2025. The first nine months of this year registered 7,138 building permits compared to 6,279 during the same period in 2024. This represents a 13.7 percent year-on-year incre»»»

Dubai: As the UAE prepares to ring in the New Year, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a detailed forecast for the final day of 2025. Residents planning outdoor celebrations can expect a fair to partly cloudy day, though the atmosphere will be characterised by a noticeable "winter »»»

The United States hit and destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuela drug boats, President Donald Trump said Monday, in what could amount to the first land strike of the military campaign against trafficking from Latin America. The US leader's confirmation of the incident comes as he ramps up a»»»

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has launched a review into what she calls "serious information failures" in the case of British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd El Fattah. In a letter to the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Cooper said she, Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy "were al»»»

Fireworks will be permitted in Bulgaria only within a limited time window, from 6:00 p.m. on December 31 until 2:00 a.m. on January 1, authorities have confirmed. During the recent holiday period, the Sofia Fire Safety and Population Protection Directorate handled 22 emergency reports, most of them»»»

Dubai: From nostalgia-fuelled sequels to bold reboots and emotionally charged dramas, 2025 proved that cinema is far from predictable. Hollywood leaned heavily into legacy franchises and visual spectacle, whilst Bollywood balanced heart, history and reinvention. Whether you watched them for the thr»»»

DOHA: Hamad Ahmed Al-Hammadi has been elected President of the Qatar Table Tennis Association (QTTA) by acclamation for the 2025-2028 term, ushering in a new chapter for the federation. The decision was taken during the General Assembly meeting chaired by Khalil Al-Mohannadi, the outgoing President»»»

A Dubai civil court has ordered a private hospital and four of its doctors to pay Dh2 million in compensation to the husband and two children of a Gulf woman who died during childbirth, after finding they committed a gross medical error that led directly to her death. The ruling follows a final cri»»»

On Monday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Ukraine had launched an attack on the Russian presidential residence in the Novgorod Region. Following the attack on Putin's residence carried out by Ukraine, global leaders have condemned the Ukrainian assault.PakistanPakistan believes th»»»

DOHA: Rafa Mujica scored his second hat-trick in as many games as defending champions Al Sadd blanked Al Shamal 3-0 to claim crucial Qatar Stars League points at Al Shamal Sports Club. Six days after steering the Wolves to a 4-2 comeback win over Shabab Al Ahli in the AFC Champions League Elite mat»»»

Doha: Indian Grand Master Arjun Erigaisi produced one of the standout moments of the FIDE World Blitz Chess Championship 2025 in Doha yesterday, defeating World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen to climb to the top of the standings. In yesterday’s ninth game, Erigaisi outplayed the Norwegian eight-time World Bl»»»

Bangladesh has declared three days of state mourning for former prime minister Khaleda Zia, with her funeral to be held on Wednesday. Zia, aged 80, died in hospital on Tuesday morning. Also Read: Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of Hasina, dies at 80Interim leader Muhamm»»»

DOHA: After winning his fifth Dakar Rally crown in 2023, Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah made it clear that his hunger for success was far from satisfied. Despite failing to reach the top step of the podium in the last two editions of the grueling event, the Qatari rally legend remains undeterred at the ag»»»

Public transport in Plovdiv will be free during the final hours of 2025 and throughout January 1, 2026, as part of a New Year initiative approved by the Municipal Council. Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov announced the measure during the council session, explaining that it is intended to ease access to the »»»

NEW YORK — Wall Street stocks edged higher early Friday, pushing major indices further into record territory as markets eyed a benign finale to the 2025 trading season.Trading volumes were expected to be light following Thursday's Christmas holiday. Stocks often rise in the peak festive period, som»»»

Doha: Bazm-e-Urdu Qatar, Urdu literary organisation in Doha, once again upheld its tradition by organising an International Mushaira on December 26, 2025. Held with the objective of nurturing the Urdu language and literature and promoting it among the younger generation, the event proved to be a la»»»

Doha: The Department of Communication and Public Relations at Qatar University (QU) has issued its latest edition of its quarterly magazine, “Campus Life.” The edition presents a diverse panorama, including updates on academic affairs, student affairs at the University, and a variety of topics, int»»»

DOHA: Qatar National Library (QNL) kicks off 2026 with an engaging lineup 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 learning and dialogue, Q»»»

A Saudi-led coalition said Tuesday it had carried out air strikes on weapons and combat vehicles being unloaded in Yemen from ships arriving from the United Arab Emirates, as tensions deepen between Riyadh and Abu Dhabi-backed factions battling for control of the country’s south. A Saudi-led coalit»»»

Climate change worsened by human behavior made 2025 one of the three hottest years on record, scientists said. It was also the first time that the three-year temperature average broke through the threshold set in the 2015 Paris Agreement of limiting warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 »»»

DOHA (Sputnik) - The Saudi-led Arab coalition announced the end of its military operation in the port of Al Mukalla in eastern Yemen after strikes on military cargo destined for the Southern Transitional Council forces. "The limited military operation in the port of Al Mukalla has been completed, a»»»

With Bulgaria set to adopt the euro on 1 January 2026, the country will retain the long-established fixed exchange rate of 1 euro to 1.95583 leva. This rate was definitively confirmed by the Council of the European Union in July 2025 and is final and non-negotiable. As a result, the lev’s value aga»»»

Doha: Qatar continues to consolidate its position as a regional cultural beacon through the dynamic work of Katara Cultural Village, which has, over the years, acted as the epicentre of artistic, social, and heritage activities. With a year-round calendar of festivals, exhibitions, theatrical shows»»»

The Iran-backed Houthi militias in Yemen view Israel's recognition of Somaliland as direct threat, warning that any Israeli presence in the separatist region will be considered a military target. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991. The region has operated autonomously since then »»»

Precious metals extended losses Tuesday on profit-taking after hitting recent records, while equities fluctuated in quiet trade as investors wound down ahead of the New Year break. Traders were taking it easy in the last few days of 2025 following a stellar 12 months that have seen tech firms push »»»

Employees of the State Tax Service of Kyrgyzstan uncovered an underground workshop producing counterfeit alcoholic beverages during inspection raids in Bishkek. According to the agency, the illegal production facility was located in Archa-Beshik residential area. During the inspection, officers sei»»»

Cultural Village Foundation (Katara), in cooperation with the Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy, inaugurated the ‘Legacy of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022’ exhibition, yesterday. The exhibition opened in the presence of General Manager of Katara, Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al Sulaiti and seve»»»