Indoor charcoal fires linked to 5 suffocation cases in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have reported five cases of suffocation linked to the use of charcoal and firewood for indoor heating, urging residents to follow safety guidelines during the winter season. The incidents were highlighted as part of the ‘Safe and Enjoyable’ winter campaign, launched join»»»
Syria Says Kills Senior ISIS Leader, Arrests Operative Near Damascus
Syrian authorities on Thursday said forces killed a senior leader in the ISIS group and arrested another operative in fresh operations near capital Damascus in coordination with the US-led coalition. Syrian security and intelligence forces, working in coordination with the international coalition, »»»
Israeli Settler Attack Injures Palestinian Baby, Five Arrested
Israeli security forces announced on Thursday the arrest of five Israeli settlers over their alleged involvement in an attack on a Palestinian home that injured a baby girl in the occupied West Bank. The eight-month-old infant suffered "moderate injuries to the face and head" in the late Wednesday »»»
Abu Dhabi hotels and restaurants can now welcome pets
Abu Dhabi: Hotels and restaurants with tourism licences across Abu Dhabi can now welcome pets, following changes to the emirate’s animal control regulations in public venues. The Department of Municipalities and Transport announced amendments to Chairman’s Decision No. (4) of 2018, issued under Law»»»
Derailing peace in Sudan by deliberate design
Attempts to secure peace in Sudan and halt the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe have continued for nearly two-and-a-half years of war. Yet a determined belief within the army and those backing it that military victory is still possible has prevailed. The result is unending destruction, displaceme»»»
Jingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve
A Powerball player in Arkansas won a whopping $1.817bn (£1.34bn) jackpot in a Christmas Eve drawing, making it the second-largest lottery prize ever claimed. The single winning ticket matched all six numbers - 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and red Powerball 19 - giving the winner the option of taking a lump-su»»»
Mohammad Bakri, renowned and controversial Palestinian actor and filmmaker, dies at 72
Tel Aviv: Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian director and actor who sought to share the complexities of Palestinian identity and culture through a variety of works in both Arabic and Hebrew, has died, his family announced. He was 72. Bakri was best known for “Jenin, Jenin,” a 2003 documentary he directe»»»
Riyadh Air Launches ‘Employment First’ Overseas Aviation Training Scholarship Program
Riyadh Air has announced its ‘Employment-First’ Overseas Scholarship Program, which aims to launch several scholarship tracks, starting with two specialized paths for engineers in Australia, followed by a pilot training program in the United States. The initiative falls under ‘Promising Path’, one »»»
Hezbollah Mourns Scholar and Resistance Figure Sheikh Reda Mahdi
Hezbollah mourned on Thursday the Islamic scholar and resistance figure Sheikh Reda Mahdi, extending condolences to the Islamic nation and to religious seminaries and their scholars. In a statement, the group said Sheikh Mahdi passed away peacefully after a long life devoted to learning and struggl»»»
Myanmar sets late January date for final election round
Yangon: Myanmar's junta will stage the third and final round of its heavily restricted elections on January 25, a statement said Thursday, just days before polls open for the first batch of ballots. Democracy watchdogs say the junta-run vote is a charade to rebrand the rule of the military, which s»»»
Petkovic: December 28 elections crucial for survival of Kosovo-Metohija Serbs
NIS - The head of the Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija Petar Petkovic said on Thursday the upcoming December 28 elections for the Kosovo-Metohija provincial assembly in Pristina were crucial for the survival of Serbs in the province. Petkovic called on internally displaced Serbs who ar»»»
King Charles Calls for More Compassion in Christmas Speech
Britain's King Charles III called for "compassion and reconciliation" at a time of "division" across the world in his annual Christmas Day message broadcast on Thursday. The 77-year-old monarch said he found it "enormously encouraging" how people of different faiths had a "shared longing for peace"»»»
Syria to launch new currency in January 2026
Damascus: Syria's central bank has announced that a new national currency would be introduced on Jan. 1, 2026, with a process to exchange the existing notes set to begin on the same date. Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdul Qader Husrieh, said a 2025 presidential decree authorizes the laun»»»
Al-Manar correspondent reports Israeli occupation forces fired grenades at a house in the southern town of Blida, setting it ablaze - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent reports Israeli occupation forces fired grenades at a house in the southern town of Blida, setting it ablaze 25-12-2»»»
Last Christians gather in ruins of Turkey’s quake-hit Antakya
Antakya: Saint Peter’s, one of the world’s oldest rock churches, is a sacred rallying point for the isolated Christians still left in quake-hit Antakya in southeastern Turkey, the city known in ancient times as Antioch. “Since the earthquake, our community has scattered,” said worshipper Mari Ibri.»»»
Shop owner arrested near Thessaloniki for illegal fireworks sales
Police in northern Greece arrested a 46-year-old shop owner for illegally selling fireworks. Officers from a crime prevention and suppression unit detained the man in the municipality of Thermi, near the northern port city of Thessaloniki. He owns a convenience store selling snacks, sweets and toba»»»
Bulgaria’s 2026 Work Calendar: Six Long Weekends and 1,984 Hours of Work
In 2026, Bulgarians will work a total of 1,984 hours spread across 248 working days, with May being the shortest month in terms of workdays at 18, and July the longest at 23. The new year begins with an extended break due to the introduction of the euro, as January 2 is declared a non-working day b»»»
Watch: Dubai's giant edible gingerbread houses spread Christmas joy
Dubai: This Christmas festive season in Dubai has reached new heights of sweetness with spectacular giant gingerbread houses including ones that visitors can actually step inside. These edible architectural and culinary wonders are turning heads, offering families and Christmas enthusiasts unique p»»»
Real-time DMS alerts make Dubai roads safer and faster
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has hailed its Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) system as a key driver in making travel across the city smoother and safer. The system, which displays real-time messages to drivers, has helped reduce travel times by up to 20% on major roads. It also improve»»»
Slow Progress Seen in Russia-US Talks on Ukraine - Russian MFA Spokeswoman
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Slow but steady progress is being observed in Russia's negotiations with the United States on a Ukrainian settlement, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Thursday. "Slow but steady progress is being observed in the negotiation process with the United Sta»»»
EBRD to allocate €8.3M for rehabilitation of Osh wastewater treatment facilities - | 24.KG
On December 25, deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh considered an agreement between Kyrgyzstan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the project «Expansion of Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Osh city.» It was noted that the EBRD has already implemented two phases of the «»»»
Education Ministry is set to announce results of first semester of Secondary School Certificate
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, MOEHE, has announced that the results of the first semester of the secondary school certificate for the academic year 2025-2026, will be released on Saturday, December 27, 2025. The Ministry while stating this on its official platforms, n»»»
Mohammad Bakri, Renowned and Controversial Palestinian Actor and Filmmaker, Dies at 72
Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian director and actor who sought to share the complexities of Palestinian identity and culture through a variety of works in both Arabic and Hebrew, has died, his family announced. He was 72. Bakri was best known for “Jenin, Jenin,” a 2003 documentary he directed about an»»»
Bulgaria: 7 Days Until the Euro - 2,000 Leva Gross Salary Becomes 1,022.59 Euros
With the adoption of the euro on 1 January 2026, all payments in Bulgaria will move from levs to the single European currency. This applies to wages, pensions and all types of social and cash benefits, which will be recalculated under legally defined rules designed to prevent any loss of income. Wa»»»
Municipality ministry organises inaugural National Forum on Public Cleanliness
DOHA: The Public Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality organised the first National Forum on Public Cleanliness Thursday, under the slogan 'Towards a Clean, Smart and Sustainable City,' with broad participation from government agencies, private sector partners, universities, academ»»»
Hezbollah MP Warns Anti-Resistance Powers: Mounting Pressure to Ignite People’s Wrath
Member of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to Resistance parliamentary bloc MP Hasan Fadlallah warned anti-resistance powers in Lebanon against mounting pressure against Hezbollah’s popular base. In an interview with Al-Manar on Thursday, he stressed that “prolonged pressure on people ignites wrath that spares »»»
Ministry of Municipality launches "National Smart Hygiene Award" for universities, researchers, students
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Public Hygiene Department, announced today the launch of the "National Smart Hygiene Award," the first of its kind this year, as part of its efforts to promote innovation and develop the public hygiene sector using modern technologies an»»»
Minister of State for International Cooperation meets Japan's Assistant Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met Thursday with Assistant Minister and Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, HE Keiichi Iwamoto, who is visiting Qatar. Di»»»
Al Ain Court orders Dh20,000 compensation for red-light traffic violation
Al Ain: A woman in Al Ain has been ordered to pay Dh20,000 in compensation to another driver after ruling that she ran a red light and caused a traffic accident that resulted in material damage and psychological distress. The Al Ain Court for Civil, Commercial, and Administrative Cases found that t»»»
Contraband Rifles, Pistols, Cartridges Seized at Kapitan Andreevo Customs Checkpoint
Three smoothbore hunting rifles, 20 gas pistols, and 5,750 blank cartridges were seized by officers from the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDCOC) and the Customs Agency at the Kapitan Andreevo customs checkpoint. The weapons were discovered during a joint inspection by Bulgaria»»»
Daughters of King Charles' Brother Andrew Join Royals for Christmas Service
Britain's Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the royal family's traditional Christmas Day church service on Thursday, while their father Andrew, recently stripped of his titles over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was absent. King Charles and Queen Camilla led senior royals t»»»
Over 60 Endangered Species Released into King Khalid Royal Reserve
In collaboration with the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority has released over 60 endangered species into the King Khalid Royal Reserve. This initiative supports a national program to reintroduce wildlife into their natural habita»»»
'The Best Gift Ever': Baby is Born after the Rarest of Pregnancies, Defying All Odds
Suze Lopez holds her baby boy on her lap and marvels at the remarkable way he came into the world. Before little Ryu was born, he developed outside his mom’s womb, hidden by a basketball-sized ovarian cyst — a dangerous situation so rare that his doctors plan to write about the case for a medical j»»»
Syria to launch new currency January,1, 2026, CBS Governor announces
Damascus, Dec. 25 (SANA) Syria is set to introduce a new national currency starting January 1, 2026, the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdulkader Husarieh, announced on Thursday. Husarieh described the move, outlined in Decree No. 293 of 2025, as a “pivotal national milestone” and the begi»»»
Fujairah Police unveil comprehensive security plan for New Year’s Eve
Fujairah: Fujairah Police have completed their security and traffic preparations for New Year’s Eve, announcing a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring the safety and smooth movement of residents and visitors across the emirate. Police said the comprehensive security readiness plan combines heighten»»»
Dubai strengthens film industry with new committee
Dubai: The newly established Dubai Film Development Committee, formed under the Dubai Media Council to drive growth in the emirate’s film sector, held its first meeting at the Council’s headquarters. The session focused on reviewing the committee’s mandate, discussing its operational framework, and»»»
Djedovic Handanovic: Russian side in talks with MOL about NIS, has contacted OFAC
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Thursday Russian shareholders in the Serbian oil company NIS were in talks with Hungary's MOL about exiting ownership of NIS and that they had contacted the US Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) to ensure the »»»
Over 68 Million Visitors to Two Holy Mosques during Jumada Al Akhira
The General Authority for the Care of the Affairs of the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque announced that the total number of worshippers and visitors to the Two Holy Mosques during Jumada Al Akhira 1447 AH reached 68,741,853. The authority said that the number of worshippers at the Grand Mosqu»»»
Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says
Syria will start swapping old bank notes for new ones under a plan to replace Assad-era notes starting from January 1st 2026, Syria's Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh said on Thursday, Reuters reported.»»»
Coastguard Rescue 52 Migrants off Greece, Boy Missing
Greek coastguard were searching Thursday for a missing child off the island of Farmakonisi after rescuing 52 migrants in two separate incidents in the Aegean Sea, local media reported. They found 13 migrants who had arrived on the small, uninhabited island, but one boy was reported missing from the»»»
Tenant kills landlord’s son in India, flees after attack
In a shocking incident, a tenant allegedly slit the throat of his landlord’s son and threw him from the second floor of a building, killing him on the spot in the Pithampur industrial town of Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district. The incident occurred late on Wednesday night under the jurisdiction of the»»»
Brainy n Bright unveils 2026 initiatives to unite UAE families through technology
Dubai: Brainy n Bright, a leading name in technology and innovation education in the Middle East, has unveiled a comprehensive portfolio of initiatives for 2026, aligning its vision closely with the UAE’s declaration of the Year of The Family. Having upskilled learners across age groups since 2019,»»»
Dubai enacts new law to expand Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives
Dubai: Dubai has enacted a new law to formalise and expand the role of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), establishing a comprehensive legal and governance framework for one of the UAE’s largest humanitarian and development platforms. The law, issued by His Highness Shei»»»
Bajatovic: Supplies of 10 mln cubic m of gas a day agreed with Gazprom until end-March
BELGRADE - Srbijagas CEO Dusan Bajatovic said on Thursday that, unlike Europe, Serbia would not be left without gas supplies as its government had secured sufficient stocks, and noted that supplies of 10 mln cubic m of gas a day via the Balkan Stream pipeline had been agreed with Russia's Gazprom u»»»
ESC: No agreement over minimum wage, Government not against increase while requiring economic justification, unions announce more radical actions
Skopje, 22 December 2025 (MIA) - The Economic-Social Council (ESC) did not reach a decision over an increase of the minimum wage at a session on Monday. The Government said it is not against an increase but asked for economic justification of the move, noting that economic parameters "show there is»»»
Russia’s ‘Responsible Stewardship’ Led Ruble to Outshine Weaponized Dollar
Russia’s “conservative” policy has driven the ruble up 45% since the start of 2025, noted veteran financial analyst Paul Goncharoff, who is also the general director of Goncharoff LLC. This policy course by Russia explains why, despite sweeping Western sanctions, the ruble has outperformed every ma»»»
Bajatovic: Supplies of 10mln cubic m of gas a day agreed with Gazprom until end-March
BELGRADE - Srbijagas CEO Dusan Bajatovic said on Thursday that, unlike Europe, Serbia would not be left without gas supplies as its government had secured sufficient stocks, and noted that supplies of 10 mln cubic m of gas a day via the Balkan Stream pipeline had been agreed with Russia's Gazprom u»»»
AFCON organisers allowing fans in for free to fill empty stands: source
Rabat: Organisers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing supporters in for free after kick-off in matches where stadiums are not full, a Confederation of African Football source told AFP. The Group F game between Cameroon and Gabon on Wednesday in Agadir kicked off in front of almost »»»
Pakistani missions warn of visa scam stealing personal data
Dubai: The Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles has issued a stern warning to international travellers after a fraudulent message claiming to be an “important notice” about Pakistan visas circulated online. Authorities confirmed that the message is part of a phishing scam aimed at stealing »»»