New York, USA: The State of Qatar affirmed that effective global leadership for peace requires comprehensive reform of the United Nations system, fully consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, stressing that mediation remains an indispensable pillar for the peaceful resolution»»»

Iraqi wheat farmer Ma'an al-Fatlawi has long depended on the nearby Euphrates River to feed his fields near the city of Najaf. But this year, those waters, which made the Fertile Crescent a cradle of ancient civilization 10,000 years ago, are drying up, and he sees few options. "Drilling wells is n»»»

By Kholood Al-Enezi MANAMA, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- Bahrain's national celebrations, on December 16, stand as a testament to an extended journey of construction and achievement led by a royal vision that laid the foundations of a modern state, consolidated pillars of progress and stability, and placed peo»»»

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hold talks with European leaders in Berlin, Germany, on Monday, December 15, 2025. Photo by Nadja Wohlleben/EPA Dec. 16 (UPI) -- European leaders are pledging to provide Ukraine with military force support against Russia, as talks between Washington and Kyiv t»»»

RIYADH, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- GCC Secretary General Jasem Al-Budaiwi extended his highest congratulations to Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, the Bahraini government, and the Bahraini people on the Kingdom's National Day and the anniversary of the King's accession."This cherished national occasi»»»

The EU will on Tuesday present a first-ever plan to address the continent's deepening housing crisis, aiming to boost construction and regulate short-term rentals. The figures are stark: nearly 1.3 million people are homeless across the 27-nation bloc -- more than the entire population of Brussels,»»»

NEW YORK: The State of Qatar affirmed that effective global leadership for peace requires comprehensive reform of the United Nations system, fully consistent with the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, stressing that mediation remains an indispensable pillar for the peaceful resolution of d»»»

On Dec. 16, 2014, Taliban militants attacked a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, killing more than 140 people, mostly children. 1 of 4 | An injured student is evacuated from a school in Peshawar, Pakistan, after an attack by Taliban gunmen on on December 16, 2014. File Photo by Sajjad Ali Queshi/UPI | »»»

Hebrew-language media reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met on Monday in Jerusalem with US envoy Tom Barrack, amid what were described as unusually blunt private messages from the administration of President Donald Trump ahead of a planned US–Israel summit later this month in »»»

TOKYO, Dec 16 (KUNA) -- South Korea and the United States held "comprehensive" discussions on Tuesday to coordinate on their North Korea policy based on a recently released summit document.A statement by Seoul's Foreign Ministry said the meeting is the first such bilateral talks held under their in»»»

Damascus, Dec. 16 (SANA) The Qatari Embassy in Damascus held a reception on Monday evening at the Dama Rose Hotel to mark Qatar National Day, with the attendance of several Syrian ministers and officials, heads of diplomatic missions, and prominent figures from the fields of economics, media, relig»»»

Russia's joint forces are successfully executing their tasks under the plan of the special military operation, Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov said earlier. Earlier Leonid Sharov, head of the Zapad battlegroup's press center, said that Russia is maintaining reliable control of all areas»»»

Doha, Qatar: Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy Doha Stefanie Altman-Winans has extended National Day greetings to Qatar, saying, “On this Qatar National Day, I am honoured to extend my heartfelt wishes to the Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, the Qatari government, and the wonderful peopl»»»

Taiwan's military can respond rapidly to any sudden Chinese attack with all units able to operate under a decentralized mode of command without awaiting orders from above, Taipei's defense ministry said in a report to lawmakers. Democratically-governed Taiwan, which Beijing views as its own territo»»»

Doha, Qatar: Ambassador of Sri Lanka to Qatar, H E Roshan Sithara Khan Azard, in a message extended warm congratulations to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the people of Qatar on the occasion of Qatar National Day, celebrated on December 18. “On behalf of the Government and people of »»»

Doha, Qatar: Ambassador of France to Qatar H E Arnaud Pescheux extended warm congratulations to Qatar’s leadership and people on the occasion of Qatar National Day, saying, “I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Amir H H Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, to the Prime Minister and Mi»»»

Sofia Municipality has unveiled a detailed plan to connect the city with Vitosha Nature Park through four dedicated pedestrian and bicycle corridors. The concept, prepared by the municipal enterprise "Sofiaplan" as part of the broader "Vision for Vitosha" initiative launched by Mayor Vasil Terziev,»»»

Doha, Qatar: As Qatar marks its National Day on December 18, Finnish Ambassador to Qatar H E Juha Mustonen described the occasion as a powerful reflection of unity, pride, and shared identity, resonating deeply with both citizens and residents of the country. Commemorating the founding of the State»»»

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan congratulated Bahrain on the country's national day, which falls on December 16 On his X account, Sheikh Mohamed said: “Congratulations to my brother King Hamad bin Isa and the people of Bahrain on their country’s National Day. On»»»

A mass shooting in which 15 people were killed during a Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach was “a terrorist attack inspired by ISIS,” Australia’s federal police commissioner Krissy Barrett said Tuesday. The suspects were a father and son, aged 50 and 24, authorities have said. The older m»»»

Within a few days of each other, France and Germany have moved to revive National Service in the face of Russia’s growing military threat. In late November, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would introduce a voluntary scheme that would pay young men and women for ten months of military trai»»»

Banners bearing protest messages from unionized rail workers are hung inside Seoul Station in Seoul, South Korea, 10 December 2025, as the union has threatened to launch a general strike on 11 December. Photo by YONHAP/EPA Dec. 15 (Asia Today) -- On Nov. 20, 2019-five days before the Korea-ASEAN Sp»»»

Outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov will participate in the first Eastern Flank Summit on Tuesday in Helsinki, the Bulgarian government information service announced. The meeting is part of broader efforts to strengthen Europe’s defence posture and represents a key step in coordinating defence»»»

South Korea and the United States held talks Tuesday to coordinate their North Korea policy, officials said. Acting U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Kevin Kim, seen here at the National Assembly on Friday, helped lead the meeting. Photo by Yonhap South Korea and the United States held talks Tuesday t»»»

KUWAIT, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet Member Prince Turki bin Mohammad bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the accompanying delegation at Bayan Palace on Monday, during their official visit to Kuwait»»»

Most people leave weddings with favours, selfies, and a mild food coma. Xuanxuan leaves with takeaway boxes — for 120 cats. The woman from Baoshan in southwestern China has quietly turned wedding banquets into an unlikely lifeline, both for herself and for the growing army of stray cats she cares f»»»

KUWAIT, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah received on Monday Saudi Minister of State and Cabinet Member Turki bin Mohammad bin Fahad bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud and the accompanying delegation on their official visit to the country. The Saudi official conveye»»»

Minister Gergely Gulyás, head of the Prime Minister’s Office, said on Monday that the new form of the Hungarian left wing is called Tisza. Speaking on the online program The Hour of Truth, Minister Gulyás stated that whether one looks at the post-communist left before 2010 or the various left-wing »»»

BRUSSELS, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said on Monday that the European Union is facing a "make-or-break week" to take "very important" decisions on financing Ukraine, warning that settling for Ukraine's Donbas region would not be the "»»»

Two days of US-Ukraine talks in Berlin have produced a "chance" for a "real peace process", German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said on Monday as US envoys join the leaders of several European countries, as well as NATO's Secretary General Mark Rutte, for more talks Monday evening to end the»»»

Louvre workers went on strike on Monday in a fresh blow to the world's most-visited museum as the vast Paris institution struggles with the fallout of a jewel heist and its workers complain of security failures, overcrowding and poor working conditions. The Louvre Museum closed its doors to thousan»»»

European leaders meeting in Berlin on Monday agreed that Ukraine required robust security guarantees, including a European-led "multinational force" with US support, before making any decisions on potential territorial concessions to Russia. A statement issued by 10 European leaders said security g»»»

Billionaire and tech guru Elon Musk plans to take SpaceX public more than two decades after its creation. The move, coming amid a boom in the space industry, could raise more than $30 billion and value the company at up to $1.5 trillion, marking what analysts say would be the largest IPO in history»»»

Hollywood director Rob Reiner’s son, Nick Reiner, was arrested and charged with murder after the deaths of the writer-director and his wife, a Los Angeles law enforcement official said Monday. Reiner and his wife, Michele Singer Reiner, were found dead in their home on Sunday, prompting a»»»

Fighting and insecurity continue in the eastern part of DR Congo, amid rising diplomatic anger over the latest offensive by the Rwanda-backed M23 rebels. According to regional officials, more than 400 civilians have been killed in South Kivu province since the rebel group escalated its offensi»»»

 A French court on Monday sentenced ex-rebel leader Roger Lumbala to 30 years in jail after finding him guilty of complicity in crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2002-2003. Former Congolese rebel leader Roger Lumbala was given a 30-year prison sentence for complici»»»

Washington: Expressing cautious optimism that months of fighting could be brought to an end, US President Donald Trump said that negotiations aimed at ending the Russia–Ukraine war were moving closer to a breakthrough following extensive talks with European leaders and Ukrainian officials in Berlin»»»

Europe is obstructing efforts to reach a Ukraine peace deal because leaders facing trouble at home are shifting their political problems onto the international stage, Italian Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini has said. Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Salvini, who is also the minister of »»»

Los Angeles police charged the son of Hollywood director Rob Reiner with murder on Monday after the suspect's parents were found stabbed in a brutal double killing that shocked movie fans around the world. Nick Reiner, 32, was detained hours after the bodies of the 78-year-old actor-director and hi»»»

Dubai: For long-term UAE residents, the shift is subtle but growing harder to miss. British expats are arriving more prepared than previous waves, often with residency plans mapped out, finances structured and long-term decisions already made. What has changed is not only the scale of migration fro»»»

Sunday dawned hot and clear at Bondi - not a cloud in the sky, the sun shining as the waves crashed onto the sand. It was a day made for the beach. By midday, the entire stretch was heaving with thousands of people and the sea was full of swimmers and surfers. Our family of four, on holiday at Bond»»»

The pipe that will supply the heat pump, drawing water from the River Rhine in Germany, is so big that you could walk through it, fully upright, I'm told. "We plan to take 10,000 litres per second," says Felix Hack, project manager at MVV Environment, an energy company, as he describes the 2m diame»»»

Dec. 15 (UPI) -- The trial for Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Hannah Dugan began Monday, with prosecutors playing audio of the judge saying she'll "get the heat" by showing an undocumented defendant how to leave her courtroom to avoid immigration officials. Dugan pleaded not guilty earlier th»»»

KUWAIT, Dec 15 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya stated Monday that the Kingdom of Bahrain's presidency of the Gulf Cooperation Council comes at a "delicate time" that requires "great efforts." He expressed his confidence in Manama's ability to effectively lead the pa»»»

The UK and South Korea have finalised a trade deal which the government says will create thousands of jobs and bring billions into the British economy. British industries including pharmaceuticals, car manufacturing, alcohol and financial services are expected to benefit from an extension to the cu»»»

QNA Doha A new United Nations guide was launched during the 11th session of the Conference of the States Parties to the UN Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), currently being held in Doha from December 15 to 19. The guide focuses on tackling corruption in conflict-affected environments, which is»»»

QNA Doha Ambassador of Qatar and its Permanent Representative to the UN and International Organizations in Vienna, HE Jassim Yacoub Al Hammadi, has affirmed the Arab Group’s confirmation of the importance of maintaining the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), the gains the Convent»»»

Ashraf Siddiqui Doha The Chinese Embassy hosted China-Qatar Youth-Exchange and Dialogue meet under the theme ‘Let’s Write a New Chapter for the Future of China and Qatar Together’. Present on the occasion were officials from the Qatari government, media representatives, researchers from think tanks»»»

QNA Doha The Civil Services and Government Development Bureau, represented by the Institute of Public Administration, has launched the National Training and Career Development Plan for 2026, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the human development system and enhance the efficiency of huma»»»