Dubai: Shah Rukh Khan has arrived in Dubai, with videos circulating across social media showing the Bollywood superstar around town just in time for the city's most anticipated New Year's Eve event. His presence adds an extra layer of excitement to what's already shaping up to be one of Dubai's gra»»»

India has overtaken Japan as the world’s fourth largest economy and officials hope to pass Germany within three years, the government’s end-of-year economic review revealed. Official confirmation, however, depends on data due in 2026 when final annual gross domestic product figures are released, wi»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Al Ahli FC will face Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC of Iran in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two following the conclusion of the knockout stage draw yesterday. The draw set the path for the 16 remaining teams, with all eight Round of 16 ties offering intriguing»»»

Rabat, Morocco: Tanzania reached the knockout stage of the Africa Cup of Nations for the first time, 45 years after their maiden appearance, by coming from behind to draw 1-1 with fellow qualifiers Tunisia in Rabat. Ismael Gharbi converted a penalty just before half-time for Tunisia and Feisal Salu»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatari athletes endured mixed fortunes in the passing year, marked by historic achievements, extraordinary individual performances and moments of heartbreak. Al Annabi experienced a roller-coaster 2025, but their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup on merit saved the blushe»»»

TEHRAN — Some shopkeepers in Tehran shut their stores for the second day in a row Monday in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran's embattled currency, media reports said.The rial has hit new lows on the unofficial market, with the US dollar trading at around 1.42 million rial»»»

France's far-right leader Marine Le Pen will attend the screen legend Brigitte Bardot's funeral next week, but President Emmanuel Macron will not, their teams said on Tuesday. In her later years, Bardot was an outspoken supporter of the far right and was convicted in court for hate speech, stirring»»»

Dubai: Shah Rukh Khan has arrived in Dubai, with videos circulating across social media showing the Bollywood superstar around town just in time for the city's most anticipated New Year's Eve event. His presence adds an extra layer of excitement to what's already shaping up to be one of Dubai's gra»»»

Somalia is weighing options to defend its unity and sovereignty and is consulting strategic allies and partners in the region and beyond to determine the best course of action, its ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union said on Tuesday. Abdullahi Warfa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the consultati»»»

Dubai: Emirates is warning passengers of a major rush at Dubai International Airport from January 2 to 5, with high volumes of departures and arrivals expected to create gridlock on roads, packed car parks and longer queues inside the terminal. The airline recommends arriving four hours before depa»»»

A growing body of evidence from Lebanese security and judicial investigations is strengthening suspicions that Israel’s Mossad intelligence service orchestrated the luring and abduction of retired General Security captain Ahmed Shukr, whose disappearance nearly two weeks ago has raised alarm within»»»

US President Donald Trump warmly greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida this week as the two leaders put on a public display of unity on multiple fronts—from Gaza to Iran to Netanyahu’s legal and political challenges at home. This meeting came after week»»»

Japan’s sustainable finance agenda moved from vision to execution in 2025, marking a year in which policy intent, market standards and capital mobilisation began to align at scale, Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) writes. What had previously been framed as aspiration increasingly took on the cha»»»

Dubai: Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced its full readiness to manage the city’s traffic flow and transport networks for the 2026 New Year’s Eve celebrations, issuing an urgent recommendation for revellers to abandon private cars in favour of public transport. In a post on X»»»

Jailed Turkish Kurd leader Abdullah Ocalan on Tuesday implored the Turkish government to broker a "crucial" peace deal between the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces and the Damascus government Jailed Turkish Kurd leader Abdullah Ocalan said in a message published Tuesday that it was "crucia»»»

The UAE said Tuesday it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen after Saudi Arabia led an airstrike on a southern Yemeni port targeting what it said was a UAE-linked weapons shipment. Following the strike, Saudi Arabia backed calls for UAE forces to leave the country within 24 hours. Th»»»

In tonight's edition, the largest ever protests against Israel's recognition of Somaliland are organised across Somalia. Also, a blown tyre and high speed are behind the accident that left boxer Anthony Joshua just injured in a Nigerian hospital. And Abuja ends the year still unpicki»»»

Turkey said it arrested 357 people on Tuesday linked to the Islamic State group, following intelligence reports that the terrorist organisation was "planning attacks" during Christmas and New Year. Turkish security forces on Tuesday arrested 357 people during operations across the country against t»»»

The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it could not prove its claim that Ukrainian drones targeted one of President Vladimir Putin's residences because the drones were all "shot down". Moscow accused Ukraine of launching 91 long-range drones at Putin's home in the Novgorod region in what it called a»»»

Iran's state TV says the country's central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin has stepped down, as the country faces growing protests over the high cost of living. The move comes after the Iranian rial plummeted to a record low against the dollar on Sunday. The central bank has been accused of printin»»»

Manila: Picture this: crooked officials stuffing suitcases with crisp ₱1,000 bills from the flood scam — poof, gone like rain in a drought. Should the Philippines demonetise ₱1,000 and ₱500 bills to flush out corruption amid the widespread tongpats (kickbacks) and ghost flood control projects? The »»»

Kazakhstan is set to become the number two producer of critical mineral gallium globally, according to a deal announcement from Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). ERG said it inked a long-term deal to supply gallium to Mitsub»»»

Japan’s benchmark Nikkei 225 has ended 2025 at its highest year-end level on record, closing above the 50,000 mark after a year marked by sharp volatility, strong corporate earnings and a powerful rally in technology shares. »»»

Kazakhstan is set to become the number two producer of critical mineral gallium globally, according to a deal announcement from Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). ERG said it inked a long-term deal to supply gallium to Mitsub»»»

Turkish authorities detained 110 people suspected of Islamic State membership in Istanbul during operations across 114 addresses in three municipalities beginning at 1.00am on December 30, state-owned TRT Haber reported. »»»

Kazakhstan is set to become the number two producer of critical mineral gallium globally, according to a deal announcement from Eurasian Resources Group (ERG). ERG said it inked a long-term deal to supply gallium to Mitsub»»»

The Munich II Public Prosecutor's Office has announced the termination of an investigation against sanctioned Uzbek-Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov over suspected violations of Germany's foreign trade law related to EU sanctions imposed on him in 2022. The closure marks another legal victory fo»»»

Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade published footage of the first test flight of the Mi-34M1 helicopter equipped with a domestic VK-650V engine, the ministry stated on its Telegram channel on December 30. The Mi-34M1 »»»

The Munich II Public Prosecutor's Office has announced the termination of an investigation against sanctioned Uzbek-Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov over suspected violations of Germany's foreign trade law related to EU sanctions imposed on him in 2022. The closure marks another legal victory fo»»»

Manila: Picture this: crooked officials stuffing suitcases with crisp ₱1,000 bills from the flood scam — poof, gone like rain in a drought. Should the Philippines demonetise ₱1,000 and ₱500 bills to flush out corruption amid the widespread tongpats (kickbacks) and ghost flood control projects? The »»»

With millions of posts uploaded every day, India's social media churns out a viral moment almost on cue. If you've lost track of what thrilled - and infuriated - users in 2025, here's a handy recall: a round-up of the year's moments that made the country pause, laugh, or even scoff. In May, Bollywo»»»

The US has frozen all child care payments to the state of Minnesota following allegations of widespread fraud, according to Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill. The move came after reports surfaced alleging that Minnesota funneled millions of taxpayer dollars to fraudulent day»»»

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the Treasury Department announced sanctions against Venezuelans, Iranians and companies in both nations for facilitating illicit arms trades. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesda»»»

Prime Minister Edi Rama has commented on the meeting of the Parliamentary Council on Mandates, which is set to review SPAK’s request to lift the immunity of Deputy Prime Minister Belinda Balluku, criticizing both the size and nature of the file submitted by prosecutors. Rama stated that if he had b»»»

New England Patriots player Stefon Diggs is facing charges of felony strangulation and a lower-level assault charge, stemming from an alleged 2 December incident. Mr Diggs is a star wide receiver for one of the US's most prominent professional football teams. Mr Diggs "categorically denies these al»»»

A federal judge on Tuesday stayed Homeland Security Security Kristi Noem's order ending temporary protected status for more than 200 South Sudanese in the United States while a lawsuit challenging the matter is active. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A federal judge on Tue»»»

Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought speaks to reporters outside the White House in July. Vought and the Trump administration are trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A judge announced on Tuesday that the Federal Reserve must continue funding the d»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iran, China, Saudi Arabia Call for Immediate Halt to Israeli Aggression 09-12-2025 18:30 PM A joint communiqué issued Tuesday at the conclu»»»

People take part in a protest against Saudi Arabia in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, on Tuesday. Photo by Najeeb Mohamed/EPA Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it's ending its military presence in Yemen after its close ally, Saudi Arabia, bombed separatists backed b»»»

A company that manages the international revenues of the Argentine soccer association is under investigation over an alleged diversion of funds. File Photo by Cristobal Herrera-Ulashkevich/EPA Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A company that manages the international revenues of the Argentine soccer association, or»»»

Freemasons have asked the UK High Court for an emergency injunction to block the Metropolitan Police’s new requirement that officers and staff must declare if they are members of Freemasonry or similar groups, according to media reports. The policy is part of ongoing investigations into alleged mas»»»

US President Donald Trump warmly greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida this week as the two leaders put on a public display of unity on multiple fronts—from Gaza to Iran to Netanyahu’s legal and political challenges at home. This meeting came after week»»»

Peruvian Prime Minister Ernesto Alvarez speaks during a session at Congress in Lima, Peru, in October. A U.S. federal judge declared the state of Peru in default in a court proceeding to enforce a $91 million international arbitral award. File Photo by Paolo Aguilar/EPA Dec. 30 (UPI) -- A U.S. fede»»»

America's overarching goal in the region is to ensure a secure Israel and US-friendly neighbouring states with which it can establish commercial ties. But inconsistent policies and mistakes have made this harder to realise. Below is an analysis of the impact of consecutive presidencies on US Middle»»»

The UAE is set to welcome 2026 with record-breaking fireworks, dazzling drone shows, and spectacular pyrotechnics lighting up the skies on New Year’s Eve. Across the country, residents and visitors can enjoy celebrations ranging from vibrant city displays to scenic waterfronts and tranquil park set»»»

An arrested sign was on display during a press conference at the Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4. Brian Cole Jr. is scheduled for a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Attorneys for Brian Cole Jr., the man »»»

Iranian students staged street protests in Tehran on Tuesday, a day after the capital's shopkeepers demonstrated against economic hardship and won a message of understanding from the president. According to Ilna, a news agency associated with Iran's labor movement, protests erupted at seven Tehran »»»

Chairman of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council Dr. Rashad al-Alimi declared on Tuesday a state of emergency throughout the country in wake of the "internal strife caused by the military rebellion in eastern provinces aimed at dividing the republic." He called for all military formations and fo»»»

Federal agents are investigating childcare centres in the state of Minnesota, after right-wing YouTuber Nick Shirley alleged in a viral video that Somali-run centres are taking public money without providing care. In a post on X on Monday, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem»»»

Ukraine said Tuesday there was no "plausible" evidence it launched a drone attack on one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's residences, accusing Moscow of peddling falsehoods to manipulate talks on ending the war. Ukraine's allies have expressed skepticism about Russia's claim. German Chancellor»»»