London. BP agreed to sell a 65% stake in its Castrol lubricants business to Stonepeak Partners at an enterprise value of $10.1 billion, generating around $6 billion in net proceeds to slash net debt. The deal marks a key step in BP's $20 billion divestment push, with over half now completed or anno»»»

New York, Dec. 24 (SANA) The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said Wednesday that humanitarian needs across Syria “remain severe,” with 16.5 million people, nearly two-thirds of the population, still requiring assistance. The UN News website quoted OCHA as s»»»

Spokesperson of the Iranian Armed Forces Brigadier General Abolfazl Shekarchi said on Tuesday that his country’s naval, ground, and missile forces are ready to confront any threat or hostile scenario. Speaking at a meeting at Sharif University, Shekarchi said much of Iran’s military capabilities ha»»»

Kyrgyzstan is set to undergo large-scale transformations over the next five years. Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Adylbek Kasymaliev said today at a session of the Zhogorku Kenesh. According to him, the state continues to implement major strategic infrastructure projects outline»»»

Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want to engage in a direct conflict with NATO, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has said. NATO chief Mark Rutte claimed earlier this month that “we are Russia’s next target” once the Ukraine conflict ends. He suggested that Moscow “could be ready to »»»

Dubai: Father Christmas is making his annual dash around the world, and Flightradar24’s live tracker has him locked in. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.According to a festive version of global flight monitoring, Santa 1 — aircraft type: Sleigh — departed the North Pole»»»

Doha, Qatar: Under the patronage of Qatar International Islamic Bank, the seventh edition of the Padel Championship for Qatari students in the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland concluded. The tournament was organised by the Cultural Attaché in cooperation with the Qatar Padel Federation, w»»»

A recent IRSOP survey titled “Fear of the Neighbor’s Fire” highlights widespread concerns among Romanians regarding global security risks and the country’s own safety amid ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe. The survey, conducted between December 15–19, 2025, interviewed 1,010 adults across Romania»»»

The Bear Grylls Explorers Camp at Jebel Jais has reopened to visitors after completing safety assessments and maintenance work. The popular adventure camp in Ras Al Khaimah temporarily closed its doors to conduct necessary inspections following recent rainfall in the area. The camp's management dec»»»

On Dec. 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge lit the first national Christmas tree on the White House lawn. 1 of 4 | On December 24, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge lit the first national Christmas tree on the White House lawn. File Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress Dec. 24 (UPI) -- On this »»»

If you've never experienced Бъдни вечер (Badni vecher) in Bulgaria, you're missing out on one of the most beautiful and meaningful celebrations in Bulgarian culture. First things first: Christmas Eve in Bulgaria is a fasting day. But don't worry, this doesn't mean you'll go hungry. Quite the opposi»»»

Russia plans to put ​a nuclear power plant on the moon in the next decade to supply its lunar space program and a joint Russian-Chinese research station as major powers rush to explore the earth's only natural satellite. Ever since Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to go into spa»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qur’anic Botanic Garden (QBG), a member of Hamad Bin Khalifa University (HBKU), has collaborated with Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Herfah Program to develop the first Dye Plants Garden at the historic Al Khater house in Education City. This collaboration marks a milestone in strengtheni»»»

Haymana, Turkiye: Turkish authorities found voice recorder and black box from a private jet early on Wednesday that crashed shortly after it took off from the capital Ankara, killing the head of Libya's armed forces and his four aides. The Falcon 50 aircraft requested an emergency landing because o»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Central Military Band of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan recently delivered a special performance of “Lel Ulla Ya Watani” by Fahad Al Hajri across the streets and promenades of The Pearl-Qatar. Accompanied by the use of traditional Kazakh musical instruments, the per»»»

Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and Francophonie of the Democratic Republic of the Congo H E Therese Kayikwamba Wagner received a copy of the credentials of H E Hamad bin Dhaen Al Kuwari as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Qatar to the Democratic R»»»

Doha, Qatar: The General Department of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has officially registered a testamentary legacy consisting of one-third of a benefactor’s estate. This significant contribution encompasses a diverse range of movable and immovable assets, including real »»»

The Ajman Federal Court of First Instance has sentenced a 36-year-old Arab TikToker woman to six months in prison, followed by deportation, after convicting her of publicly insulting another individual during a TikTok live stream. Court verdictOn December 18, 2025, the court found the Arab TikToker»»»

After the ouster of former president Bashar al-Assad, Israel supported Druze fighters in the south, in an effort to weaken Syria’s new government under the rule of President Ahmed Al-Sharaa and thus complicate his efforts to unify the country after its long civil war, according to a Washington Post»»»

Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE), in cooperation with relevant authorities, has revoked the licence of Oud Al Reem Agency for Domestic Worker Services, operating in Ajman, after serious violations of domestic labour regulations were confirmed. The decision followed f»»»

Police located several guns, a stockpile of ammunition and a shopping list for bomb materials in the home of a West Australian man arrested after pledging support for the Bondi attackers, a court has heard. Martin Glynn, 39, appeared in a Perth court on Wednesday charged with racial harassment, pos»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX) 2026 has announced the opening of online registration for all exhibitors, participants, and visitors to its ninth edition, scheduled to take place from January 19 to 22 at the Qatar National Convention Centre. I»»»

Doha, Qatar: Students from Qatar Foundation schools secured multiple medals and awards across the Advanced and Intermediate categories at the World Mathematics Team Championship (WMTC) held in Thailand, reaffirming their strong presence on the international academic stage. This achievement marks th»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar-China Film Festival has officially opened marking a significant cultural milestone in the deepening relationship between Qatar and China. The inaugural edition of the three-day festival, which runs until today, December 24, is being conducted under the theme of cultural dialo»»»

Doha, Qatar: Director General of the Katara Cultural Village Foundation Prof Dr. Khalid bin Ibrahim Al-Sulaiti yesterday inaugurated the mural “Rawda in the Comfort of the South” on the facade of Building 46 in Katara Cultural Village. The inauguration was attended by Ambassador of the Kingdom of S»»»

Muscat: Yemen’s Houthis and its internationally-recognised government yesterday agreed to a prisoner swap that includes nearly 3,000 people, including seven Saudis — making it the largest such exchange should it succeed. The breakthrough deal came after nearly a fortnight of discussions between Yem»»»

Bangkok: Thailand yesterday rejected a request by Cambodia to hold bilateral talks in a neutral country, leaving a planned meeting to negotiate an end to deadly border clashes in doubt. The nations’ long-standing border conflict reignited this month, shattering an earlier truce, killing more than 4»»»

Islamabad: A Pakistani firm won an auction yesterday with a $482m bid for a majority stake in the embattled national carrier Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), a deal seen as a litmus test of the government’s pledge to sell off loss-making state companies. Three Pakistani firms competed in the »»»

Baku: The State of Qatar has taken part in an international conference in Azerbaijan focused on protecting children from harmful content in the digital environment, as concerns grow globally over online risks facing young people. The conference was held in the capital, Baku, and brought together of»»»

Three people were killed by a bomb on Wednesday in Moscow after two police officers approached a man acting suspiciously near the site where a senior general was killed two days ago ‌by a car ‌bomb that Russia said ‌was planted ⁠by ​Ukrainian ‌intelligence. A string of Russian military figures and »»»

Los Angeles, United States: A major winter storm rolled into California Tuesday, forcing hundreds of evacuations in burn areas while threatening flooding and travel delays through holidays, officials said. A "strong atmospheric river brings heavy rain, snow, and wind to California through Friday," »»»

Doha, Qatar: In a move that underscores Katara’s mission to preserve cultural heritage and support and showcase authentic handicrafts and traditional industries, the “Bisht House” was inaugurated in Building 22 at the Katara Cultural Village Foundation. The opening was attended by, General Manager »»»

Damascus, Dec. 24 (SANA) Syria’s Ministry of Defense has expressed condolences to Libya following the death of Libyan Chief of Staff General Mohammed al-Haddad and members of his delegation in a military plane crash in Turkey. In a statement, the ministry said it received the news “with deep sorrow»»»

Dubai: A Dubai court has dismissed a lawsuit filed by a wealthy Arab businessman seeking to recover a luxury Bentley car and a distinctive number plate, ruling that the officially registered ownership remains legally binding despite claims that the registration was intended to be temporary. The Dub»»»

Sofia Mayor Vassil Terziev described 2025 as a challenging but successful year, marked by tangible progress across multiple sectors, in an interview with the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) ahead of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Terziev said the municipal administration focused on delivering sol»»»

Role in supply chains robust given full industrial chain, ongoing innovation: expert As Christmas is around the corner, data released on Monday showcased the sustained resilience and vitality of East China's Yiwu, the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities and an epitome of China's »»»

Lebanese security agencies discovered the body of former Syrian officer Ghassan Naasan al-Sakhni in the Keserwan region. Authorities are investigating whether his killing was purely criminal or had a political angle. The Lebanese army said the killer, a Syrian, has been arrested. In a statement, it»»»

Washington: President Donald Trump on Monday said he will oversee the development of a new class of Navy battleship - named after himself. The move was cast in part as an effort to give the nation’s stagnant shipbuilding industry a shot in the arm, but also will upend the Navy’s ship-naming norms a»»»

Belgrade: Serbia has agreed to extend a gas supply arrangement with Russia by three months, President Aleksandar Vucic (pictured) said yesterday, as it battles to secure a long-term deal. Serbia is heavily dependent on Russian gas but it has failed to secure a long-term contract since a three-year »»»

Providence: Brown University placed its campus police chief on administrative leave and the Trump administration announced an investigation into the school’s security measures after a shooting rampage this month that killed two students and injured nine others. The Education Department’s Office of »»»

Three people - including two police officers - have been killed in an explosion in Moscow, Russian authorities have said. Two traffic police officers saw a "suspicious individual" near a police car on the city's Yeletskaya Street, and when they approached the suspect to detain him, an explosive dev»»»

Doha: Speaker of the Shura Council H E Hassan bin Abdullah Al Ghanim has affirmed Qatar’s strong commitment to supporting parliamentary work at both the regional and international levels, and its continued keenness to provide effective platforms for dialogue, consultation, and the exchange of exper»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it received 3,777,893 requests for document attestation during the current year. According to ministry statistics, a total of 1,147,001 requests were submitted within the UAE, while 647,718 were filed from outside the country through overseas missions»»»

Iran and the United States reaffirmed their commitments to diplomacy at a contentious meeting of the UN Security Council on Tuesday, but the gap between the Trump administration and Tehran on a nuclear deal remains wide and deep. The sixth round of negotiations between Washington and Tehran had bee»»»

Liverpool: Alexander Isak is expected to be out of action for two months after fracturing his leg against Tottenham, with Liverpool manager Arne Slot accusing Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven of making a “reckless challenge”. The Sweden striker was injured in a tackle from the defender in the act of sc»»»

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Napoli won the Italian Super Cup on Monday as David Neres scored twice to secure the reigning Serie A champions a 2-0 win over Bologna in the final in Jeddah. Brazilian winger Neres curled in a brilliant shot from distance to give Napoli the lead before half-time against last »»»

Temirkul Baltabaev has been appointed Director of the Department of State Buildings under the Presidential Affairs Department of Kyrgyzstan. Previously, he headed the board of the State Mortgage Company, then served as head of the state-owned enterprise Kyrgyzstroyservice.»»»

Fes, Morocco: Ademola Lookman secured a 2-1 win for a wasteful Nigeria against Tanzania in Fes yesterday in their opening Africa Cup of Nations match. After the disappointment of failing to qualify for the 2026 World Cup, Nigeria coach Eric Chelle would have hoped for more goals given the opportuni»»»

Since Japan recorded a spike in deadly bear attacks, Koji Suzuki has struggled to keep up with booming demand for grilled cuts of the animal at his restaurant. Cooked on a stone slate -- or in a hot pot with vegetables -- the meat comes from bears culled to curb maulings that have killed a record 1»»»