Moscow on Thursday said a Ukrainian drone strike killed 24 people and wounded at least 50 more as they celebrated the New Year in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine’s Kherson region. Ukraine denied these allegations, claiming that ​Kyiv's forces exclusively targeted Russian ​military or energy s»»»

Around 40 people were killed and at least 115 were injured after a fire ripped through a bar during New Year's Eve celebrations in a luxury resort town in southern Switzerland, police said Thursday.  A fire ripped through a bar’s New Year celebration in a Swiss Alpine resort shortly after midn»»»

The number of migrants reaching the UK in small boats in 2025 climbed to its second-highest level since records began, official figures showed on Thursday, piling pressure on Prime Minister Keir Starmer as anti-immigration sentiments gain ground ahead of key local elections in May. The second-highe»»»

It's only been three years since ChatGPT leaped onto the world stage, but artificial intelligence is now becoming an integral part of daily life. The technology has been integrated into search engines, social media apps and online shopping sites, but also shaken financial markets. Here's a look bac»»»

Bulgaria joined the Eurozone on January 1, becoming the 21st member of the single-currency bloc, even as the country enters the new year mired in political instability after the collapse of its government and mass street protests. »»»

Ex-Romanian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu has urged President Nicusor Dan to share a report on the controversial annulment of the December 2024 election with the US and Israel for independent review. The conservative frontrunner was eliminated from the race by the Constitutional Court over»»»

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, marking a historic moment with a low-key swearing-in ceremony held deep beneath Manhattan. The Democrat, who at 34 is the city’s youngest mayor in generations, takes office as one of the most closely watched political fig»»»

More than 20 million people in the United States will face sharply higher health insurance costs as of January 1 after enhanced tax credits that helped enrollees in the Affordable Care Act afford coverage expired overnight. The expiration of the subsidies will mostly affect families, small business»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai moved higher at the end of the first trading week of 2026, recovering from a muted start to the year as global markets reopened with a cautious but constructive tone. By 7.50 am on Friday, the price of 24-karat gold stood at Dh524 a gram, up from Dh520.25 the previous da»»»

Dozens of international humanitarian organisations will be banned from operating in the devastated Gaza Strip after Israel said the groups had not complied with a deadline to meet "security and transparency standards". A number of aid groups have refused to submit a list of their Palestinian staff »»»

A French national detained in Togo last year over his alleged involvement in anti-government protests returned to France on Thursday after his release, the French foreign ministry said. The prosecutor's office in Lome said Steeve Rouyar was one of around 50 protesters arrested on June 6 during»»»

A junior minister on Wednesday said the French citizenship granted to Hollywood star George Clooney despite his poor level of French suggested a "double standard". The Clooney family became citizens just days before language requirements were toughened under new rules from January 1. France's junio»»»

Protesters and security forces clashed in western Iran for the fifth day in a row on Thursday, with six civilians killed, according to the Fars news agency. A member of Iran’s security forces was also killed overnight during protests in the western city of Kouhdasht, state television reported. Prot»»»

More than two dozen long-range drones were intercepted as they headed toward Moscow overnight, Russian capital’s Mayor Sergey Sobyanin has announced. The Russian air defense forces destroyed 26 UAVs between 7pm Thursday and 1am Friday, according to a series of Sobyanin’s posts on Telegram. The mayo»»»

Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is among some 60 female lawmakers petitioning for more women's toilets in the parliament building to match their growing representation in the legislature. A record 73 women were elected into the 465-seat Lower House in October 2024, exceeding the previous high»»»

Dubai: The UAE is set to see generally stable but cool winter weather on Friday, with fair to partly cloudy skies and a slight rise in temperatures, according to the National Centre of Meteorology. Daytime temperatures are expected to range between 20°C and 25°C in coastal and island areas, while i»»»

US President Donald Trump said in a lengthy interview about his health that he takes more aspirin than doctors recommend, uses makeup to cover bruising on his hands, and does not get regular exercise because he finds it "boring". Trump also told The Wall Street Journal that he underwent a CT scan i»»»

The Muslim Brotherhood remains a formidable force in Sudan, fighting and contributing to the country’s destruction while operating from within the security apparatus and exerting influence over decision-making in pursuit of its own interests rather than those of the nation. After 33 months of fight»»»

With Congress failing to extend subsidies for health insurance bought through federal and state Affordable Care Act online exchanges, the roughly 24 million people who obtain coverage through the ACA are set to see their monthly premiums double. Screenshot via Healthcare.gov Jan. 1 (UPI) -- Insuran»»»

The cost of lots of the devices we all use could be forced up in 2026 because the price of Ram - once one of the cheapest computer components - has more than doubled since October 2025. The tech powers everything from smartphones to smart TVs, as well as things like medical devices. Its price has s»»»

Manila: The Philippines has just dropped a bombshell move to snag mega foreign cash. How? Amid the noise (and the haste) surrounding the multibillion flood-control scam, a new legislation has been crafted to drive foreign investments in energy, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing — and, m»»»

When Caleb was nearing the end of his computer science degree and looking for his first job, one of few sectors actively recruiting graduates was defence. Salary, career path, and job security all looked good, but ultimately a defence sector career "didn't sit well" with him. "It's one of those job»»»

People buying cryptocurrency in the UK now need to share their account details or face penalties, in changes that came into effect on 1 January. The move by the UK's tax body is designed to ensure they pay all relevant tax on buying and selling crypto, including capital gains tax. HMRC will begin a»»»

GENEVA, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- Swiss police announced on Thursday that dozens of people have died and around one hundred others were injured, most suffering severe burns, after a major fire broke out at a tourist resort in (Crans-Montana).The Commander of the Valais Cantonal Police Frederic Gisler said du»»»

Hundreds gathered in silence in the freezing night in Crans-Montana on Thursday evening, laying flowers and lighting candles to remember those killed and injured in a horrific blaze as they celebrated the New Year. Around 40 people died and more than 100 were injured in the blaze that ripped throug»»»

WASHINGTON, Dec 31 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Senior Advisor to the President Jared Kushner and special envoy for peace missions Steve Witkoff held talks with senior European officials on the efforts to restore peace in Ukraine.Witkoff wrote, on his X account on Wednesday, "Secret»»»

KUWAIT, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- 1912 -- Modern medical services were provided to women for the first time by the American Missionary Hospital in Kuwait. 1955 -- The State of Kuwait established a pension fund for civil servants and retirees. 1956 -- The Kuwaiti printing and publishing department issued its »»»

KUWAIT, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- Interior Ministry Undersecretary Major General Abdulwahab Al-Wuhaib, accompanied by security leaders, conducted an inspection tour covering security checkpoints, markets, shopping malls, and vital sites during the New Year holiday.In a press release, the Ministry of Interior»»»

BRUSSELS, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- Bulgaria on Thursday officially began adopting the euro, becoming the 21st country to join the eurozone in a historic step that comes nearly 20 years after its accession to the European Union.At midnight on Wednesday, Bulgaria abandoned its national currency, the lev, whic»»»

RIYADH, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- The Saudi Data & AI Authority (SDAIA) has launched a new governmental data center covering 30 million square feet in Riyadh with an estimated capacity of 480 megawatt.In a statement following the launching, SDAIA President Abdullah Al-Ghamdi said the data center project, whi»»»

KUWAIT, Jan 1 (KUNA) -- Kuwaiti Minister of Information and Culture, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdurrahman Al-Mutairi opened on Thursday the "Kuwait Geopark" project, north of Kuwait Bay.The scheme came within the framework of backing national projects to highlight the country's histo»»»

Tribune News Network Doha In the final quarter of 2025, the Cabinet approved a wide range of draft laws, decisions, agreements, and memoranda of understanding aimed at enhancing the quality of life, supporting sustainable economic growth, and strengthening government efficiency. The measures also s»»»

The city has increasingly become a focal point for high-profile occasions representing the country at both local and international levels. On this occasion, CEO of Qatari Diar Sheikh Hamad bin Talal Al Thani stated, “The success of this New Year 2026 celebration at Lusail Boulevard highlights the c»»»

Tribune News Network Doha The 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) kicked off on Thursday, January 1, 2026. Being held under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani and supported by the Social and Sports Activities Support Fund (Daam), the fest»»»

QNA Doha Qatar is intensifying efforts to protect its rawdas natural depressions that form one of the country’s most important and fragile ecosystems as part of wider plans to safeguard biodiversity and meet the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030. The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change sai»»»

Chinese President Xi Jinping, who has repeatedly stated that reunification with Taiwan is “inevitable,” reiterated the notion in his address to the nation on New Year’s Eve, touting an unbreakable “bond of blood and kinship.” Taiwan has been ruled by Chinese nationalist forces as the Republic of Ch»»»

To be fair to the dismal year on the way out, at least 2025 won’t be a hard act to beat. In particular, if last January anyone was recklessly optimistic enough to hope for the West to come to its senses about its catastrophic relationship with Russia and the war in and over Ukraine, they will have »»»

President Donald Trump waves to the media while playing golf at Turnberry Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland in July. Trump has terminated the leases at the three public golf courses in Washington, D.C. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo Jan. 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump ended the le»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Zionist government’s legal adviser demands PM Netanyahu dismiss Ben Gvir, citing abuse of authority as so-called “national security ministe»»»

New York: Somalia officially assumed the presidency of the UN Security Council on Thursday, leading the Council's work during this January. The Somali National News Agency (SONNA) reported that the Somali Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that assuming the presidency of the Security Council represen»»»

Greece’s judicial calendar for 2026 features a series of high-profile trials with major social and political implications, led by the long-awaited proceedings over the 2023 rail disaster at Tempe that claimed 57 lives. The main trial over the crash in central Greece is set to begin on March 23, mor»»»

A body found in San Antonio, Texas, is that of missing woman Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19. Her death was ruled a suicide. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 1 (UPI) -- A body found in San Antonio, Texas, is that of missing woman Camila Mendoza Olmos who disappeared on the morning of Chr»»»

Tunis, Jan. 1 (TAP) - The weather on Thursday night will be partly cloudy across the country.According to the National Institute of Meteorology, nighttime temperatures will range between 3°C and 8°C in the western regions and between 9°C and 12°C in...»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Social and Sport Contribution Fund (Daam) has signed a financing agreement with the Cultural Village Foundation (Katara) to support the 17th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi) 2026. The festival is held from January 1 to 24, 2026, at Sabkhat Mar»»»

The UAE has put in place two federal decree laws dedicated to the Capital Market Authority and regulation across capital markets. This legislative step is part of a wider initiative to update the financial sector’s legal environment. Stability, market efficiency, and competitive edge receive reinfo»»»

Protesters and security forces clashed in three Iranian cities on Thursday, with six people reported killed, the first deaths since the cost-of-living demonstrations broke out. The protests began on Sunday in Tehran, where shopkeepers went on strike over high prices and economic stagnation, and hav»»»

Hundreds of Greek farmers saw in the New Year at their highway protest sites for the first time, spending the night in roadside shelters and celebrating with friends and family, even as temperatures dropped below 0 Celsius in many parts of the country. While maintaining pressure on the government, »»»

Two people are reported to have been killed during growing unrest in Iran on the fifth day of protests over the soaring cost of living. Both the semi-official Fars news agency and human rights group, Hengaw, said people had died during clashes between protesters and security forces in the city of L»»»

Riyadh: Saudi Arabia's main stock index closed higher on Thursday, supported by gains across most sectors, according to official market data. The Tadawul All Share Index (TASI) rose by 58.39 points, or about 0.6%, to finish at 10,549.08. Trading turnover reached SAR 1.5 billion ($400m), with around»»»

Dubai: Zohran Mamdani chose three Qurans — two family heirlooms and a centuries-old manuscript — to mark his swearing-in as New York City’s mayor, turning the oath into a moment layered with faith, history and identity. During a private midnight ceremony at a decommissioned subway station beneath C»»»