Heavy fog prevents flights from landing at Manas airport - | 24.KG
Due to dense fog, Manas International Airport is currently not accepting flights. The information was confirmed to 24.kg news agency by the airport’s information service. Fog has been observed since last evening, and some flights have been delayed or diverted to other cities. For up-to-date informa»»»
Trump administration releases hundreds of thousands of Epstein files after months of wrangling
The US Justice Department began releasing several hundred thousand documents Friday from the investigation into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, with more files to be published over the coming weeks. The publication marks the clearest opportunity yet to shed light on a politically explo»»»
More than 1,000 patients have died awaiting evacuation from Gaza since July 2024
The WHO and its partners have evacuated more than 10,600 patients from Gaza with severe health conditions, including more than 5,600 children, since the start of the war, the head of the UN health agency said Friday, adding that 1,092 patients are known to have died while awaiting medical evac»»»
Veteran Malayalam actor Sreenivasan dies at 69
Sreenivasan, the acclaimed Malayalam actor, screenwriter, director, and producer, passed away on Saturday at the age of 69. He had been receiving treatment at his home in Udayamperoor, near Kochi, for a long-standing illness. He breathed his last at Trippunithura Taluk Hospital, where he had been b»»»
Rajab moon sighting: What it means for the Ramadan timeline
Dubai: Most Islamic countries are expected to observe the crescent moon marking the start of Rajab 1447 AH on Saturday, according to the International Astronomical Centre. Rajab is the seventh month of the Hijri calendar and one of Islam’s four sacred months. It holds special importance as it signa»»»
Acting Health Minister of Kyrgyzstan promises support to young doctors - | 24.KG
During a working visit to Osh State University, Acting Minister of Health Kanybek Dosmambetov met with faculty and students of the Faculty of Medicine. During an open dialogue, he emphasized that the visit was aimed not only at familiarizing with the clinic’s operations but also at personally commu»»»
Over 200 low-income families in Bishkek receive firewood from City Hall - | 24.KG
The municipal enterprise Bishkekzelenstroi is providing city residents with firewood based on an approved list provided by the Department of Social Development. The City Hall reported. To date, 236 low-income families have received firewood. Each family received 1.5 cubic meters, a total of 354 cub»»»
KFU Football Awards 2025: Winners announced - | 24.KG
The best football players of Kyrgyzstan for the outgoing season were awarded in Bishkek. The Kyrgyz Football Union (KFU) announced. The KFU Football Awards were presented to the best football players of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Professional League, women’s team players, futsal players, goalkeepe»»»
Financial literacy manual for migrants presented in Bishkek - | 24.KG
A financial literacy manual for migrant workers and their families was presented in Bishkek. The National Bank reported. According to the National Bank, the authors attempted to answer one of the most pressing questions: «Why does money earned abroad often not work for the future of the family?» «T»»»
UAE weather alert: Rain, strong winds and rough seas ahead
Dubai: The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) has forecast unsettled weather across the UAE as a surface low-pressure system extends over the country on Saturday, supported by an upper-air low-pressure system. The weather pattern is expected to bring periods of cloud cover, rainfall in some areas»»»
About 20 hospitals in Kyrgyzstan to receive autonomy - | 24.KG
A pilot project to grant autonomy to several healthcare organizations will be launched in Kyrgyzstan on January 1, 2026. Acting Minister of Health Kanybek Dosmambetov announced at a meeting with the staff of the Osh State University Medical Center. According to him, as part of the project, about 20»»»
Belgian PM mocks Politico after being labelled ‘Russia’s most valuable asset’
Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever mocked Politico on Thursday after the outlet branded him “Russia’s most valuable asset,” joking that he was heading back to his “dacha in St. Petersburg” to join “neighbours” Gérard Depardieu and Bashar al-Assad. Axel Springer-owned Politico, which has a staff o»»»
Pentagon declassifies combat footage from Syria ‘vengeance’ strike (VIDEO)
The Pentagon has released footage showing US and allied forces carrying out large-scale strikes against alleged Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist targets in Syria as part of Washington’s retaliation for the recent killing of American personnel. In a post on X late Friday, US Central Command (CENTCOM) »»»
'Very cool': The 70s Afro-rock genre enjoying a rebirth
Artists and music fans from around the world have been rediscovering the 1970s sound of Zambia known as Zamrock in recent years, and now one of the country's biggest stars is embracing it, hoping to give it a fresh twist. When devising her third studio album, Sampa the Great looked to the niche, br»»»
Jeffrey Epstein Files: Michael Jackson, Diana Ross and Mick Jagger appear in newly released pictures
Dubai: 'King of Pop' Michael Jackson is among a roster of global music legends whose names and images appear in in a newly released batch of Jeffrey Epstein-related files published by the US Department of Justice. The records include photographs showing Jackson alongside Epstein, as well as images »»»
Aryan Khan wins career's first award but refuses to dedicate it to superstar father Shah Rukh Khan
Dubai: Shah Rukh Khan's son Aryan Khan seems to be doing a good job about stepping away from his superstar dad's shadow. Last night on December 19, Aryan marked a major milestone in his career, winning Best Debut Director of the Year for his Netflix series The Ba***ds of Bollywood at the NDTV India»»»
US bombs Syria in retaliation for American deaths
The United States has launched airstrikes against alleged Islamic State (ISIS) targets in Syria in what President Donald Trump described as “very serious retaliation” for the killing of American personnel earlier this month. In a statement on Friday, Trump said the strikes were ordered in response »»»
Kebabs, biryani and much more: Indian city on Unesco culinary list
Mouth-watering kebabs, fragrant biryani and whipped cloud-like desserts. The northern Indian city of Lucknow has always been a food lovers' paradise, with locals and visitors swearing by its cuisine. Last month, Unesco recognised it as a Creative City of Gastronomy - adding it to a select list of g»»»
HUD stopped from changing funding requirements for homeless programs - UPI.com
A federal judge on Friday issued a preliminary injunction to stop the Trump administration from revoking funding for homeless programs after recently changing funding requirements. File Photo by Paul Beaty/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- A federal judge has stopped the Trump administration fro»»»
EU member rejects further funding for Ukrainian military
Slovakia will not provide further funding for Ukraine’s military because the conflict cannot be settled on the battlefield, Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. Fico, who survived an assassination attempt by a pro-Ukraine activist in 2024, was speaking after EU leaders failed to reach agreement on »»»
Make Korea great again: The right-wing group wooing disenchanted youth
The line for a selfie with South Korea's disgraced former President Yoon Suk Yeol stretched around Seoul's iconic Gwanghwamun gate. Except Yoon wasn't there; it was just a picture of him. The real Yoon is in prison facing insurrection charges. But that didn't matter to the thousands of excited youn»»»
How UAE workers are using their salaries differently in 2026
Dubai: Financial inclusion in the UAE is entering a new phase, with the focus shifting from access to actual usage. While the Wage Protection System has ensured near-universal digital salary payments, a large share of low-income workers still operate largely in cash. Sign up for our daily business »»»
Donald Trump's name appears on 'Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts' - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Workers make final adjustments after President Donald Trump's name is added to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on Friday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump's name was affixed Friday to The Kennedy Center »»»
Steve Rosenberg: Was Putin's response to my question about war in Europe an olive branch?
Reporters ask world leaders questions all the time. No big deal. Right? But what's it like putting a question to Vladimir Putin - the president who ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the leader whose country was accused this week by the head of MI6 of "the export of chaos"? And imagine ask»»»
UN agencies: Malnutrition remains alarmingly high in Gaza
GENEVA, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), UNICEF, the World Food Program (WFP) and the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that hunger, malnutrition, disease and the scale of agricultural destruction remained alarmingly high despite the declaration of the end of fa»»»
UN conf. urges maximizing AI potential to address corruption
DOHA, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The Eleventh Session of the Conference of the States Parties (COSP11) to the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) concluded in Doha on Friday with call to maximize the potential of AI systems to address corruption and economic crime.The world's largest anti-co»»»
Seven killed in floods in S. Iran
TEHRAN Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The Iranian Red Crescent Society said that seven people perished in the flash floods that recently swept through the southern parts of the country.The victims include a rescuer who died while carrying out relief operations in the city of Jahrom in Fars province, the IRCS sai»»»
US forces launch operation against ISIS in Syria
WASHINGTON, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the US forces have commenced "OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE" in Syria against the so-called Islamic State (ISIS).The operation aims "to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on US fo»»»
Germany to reach record deficit since reunification – Bundesbank
Germany is on track to post its largest budget deficit since reunification, the country’s central bank has warned, as Berlin ramps up military spending and financial aid to Ukraine. In its December forecast, published on Friday, the Bundesbank said the government shortfall will rise steadily and re»»»
U.S. retaliates for deadly ISIS attack in Syria - UPI.com
The U.S. military began striking suspected ISIS targets in central Syria on Friday during an hours-long assault after President Donald Trump promised to retaliate for the shooting deaths of two U.S. soldiers and their civilian interpreter on Saturday. Photo by Graeme Sloan/UPI | License Photo Dec. »»»
Elise Stefanik drops out of N.Y. governor's race 6 weeks after bid - UPI.com
1 of 3 | Rep. Elise Stefanik, a Republican serving a district in New York state appears at a bill signing in the White House's Oval Office to award Congressional Gold Medals to the 1980 U.S. Olympic ice hockey team. The team won the gold medal in her district. Photo by Francis Chung/UPI | License P»»»
US carries out 'massive' strike against IS in Syria
The US says its military has carried out a "massive strike" against the Islamic State group (IS) in Syria, in response to a deadly attack on American forces in the country. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth said Operation Hawkeye Strike was aimed at eliminating IS "fighters, infrastructure, and weapon»»»
Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit faces potential lung transplant - UPI.com
Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway attends the Nobel Peace Prize presentation ceremony at Oslo City Hall on December 10 in Oslo, Norway. Photo by Paul Treadway/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Norwegian Crown Princess Mette-Marit's lung condition has worsened, and her doctors are considering »»»
Timothée Chalamet teams up with EsDeeKid to quash alter-ego rumours
Timothée Chalamet has finally quashed rumours that he is cult anonymous rapper EsDeeKid - by performing alongside him in a new video. Speculation has run riot that the Oscar-nominated US actor had been leading a double life as the masked rapper, who only ever reveals his eyes. Some followers spotte»»»
Naked women, sex toys and high-profile guests: What’s inside Epstein trove (PHOTOS)
Thousands of records released by the US Justice Department provide a detailed and often unsettling look at materials gathered during federal investigations into late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. The trove includes photographs, call logs, interview transcripts, grand jury ma»»»
Opening of 14th national exhibition of carpets and traditional textiles
Tunis, Dec. 19 (TAP) - Minister of Tourism Sofiene Tekaya inaugurated on Friday the 14th National Exhibition of Carpets and Traditional Textiles, held at the Kram Exhibition Centre and running until December 28.On the occasion, Leila Msellati,...»»»
Scientific forum of Audit Court on AI in its work
Tunis, Dec. 19 (TAP) - The Audit Court held a scientific forum on December 18–19, during which the outcomes of workshops on “The Use of Artificial Intelligence in the Work of the Audit Court: Opportunities and Challenges” were presented and...»»»
US to strip alleged Bosnian war criminal of citizenship
The US justice department has launched a civil legal case against a man accused of being a Bosnian war criminal to revoke his citizenship. Kemal Mrndzic did not disclose during his US immigration process that he served as a guard at Bosnia's notorious Celebici prison camp, where atrocities were com»»»
Republican Elise Stefanik ends New York governor bid
Republican Congresswoman Elise Stefanik has announced she is dropping out of the race for governor of New York and will not seek re-election to Congress. Her announcement comes days after Republican Bruce Blakeman, who like Stefanik is a close Donald Trump ally, said he intended to challenge her in»»»
Justice Department begins release of Epstein case files - UPI.com
The Justice Department released hundreds of thousands of files from the Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking case on Friday in accordance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act and said more are coming. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- The Justice Department on Friday rele»»»
Palestinians tell BBC they were sexually abused in Israeli prisons
This article contains descriptions of sexual abuse and violence which some readers may find distressing. Two Palestinian men have told the BBC they personally experienced the kind of beatings and sexual abuse highlighted in recent reports into the treatment of prisoners in Israeli detention. The Un»»»
DOJ releases thousands of Epstein records
The US Justice Department has released a large tranche of records related to its investigations into late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, publishing the files online on Friday. The documents were made public under the Epstein Files Transparency Act, legislation signed by Presi»»»
Secretary of State Marco Rubio: Russia-Ukraine conflict is 'not our war' - UPI.com
Secretary of State Marco Rubio arrives to the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday. On Friday he gave a year-end news conference and spoke about deals to end the war in Ukraine and Russia. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that U.S. negotia»»»
Detainee Imad Amhaz Case Highlights Hezbollah’s Maritime Activities
Israel’s disclosure of a naval commando operation in the northern Lebanese town of Batroun has thrust back into focus a case that straddles security, political, and legal fault lines. The announcement, accompanied by Israeli claims surrounding Imad Amhaz, comes at a delicate moment, coinciding with»»»
Minister al-Shaar: Lifting the “Caesar Act” grants Syria an exceptional privilege
Damascus, Dec. 19 (SANA) Minister of Economy and Industry Nidal al-Shaar affirmed that the repeal of the Caesar Act was not merely a legal step, but rather the removal of a heavy barrier that had shackled Syria’s economy and burdened the lives of Syrians for years. He noted that the decision opens »»»
Jack Smith’s attorneys again call for a public hearing - UPI.com
Attorneys for former Special Counsel Jack Smith on Thursday asked House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, to hold a public hearing regarding Smith's efforts to prosecute President Donald Trump. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Attorneys for former special cou»»»
November home sales show supply dipping - UPI.com
Home sales rose only slightly in November, as supply dips. File Photo by Alexis C. Glenn/UPI | License Photo Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Sales of previously owned homes rose 0.5% in November from October, reflecting a slowdown, due to high mortgage rates, high prices and less supply. Home sales were 1% lower »»»
Baghdad Pushes for Deeper Partnership with Washington against ISIS
An Iraqi official said security cooperation with the United States is intensifying in the fight against terrorism, following a rare joint helicopter raid by Iraqi special forces inside Syrian territory. An Iraqi intelligence unit, coordinating with Syrian security forces and the US-led internationa»»»
Briefing of KUNA main news for Thursday until 00:00 GMT
3266576 KUWAIT -- Kuwait Airways cancels its flights KU675 and KU677 from Kuwait International Airport to Dubai due to unstable weather. 3266563 DOHA -- Morocco's national football squad defeat Jordan's 3-2 in an epic final of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025. 3266538 ADEN -- An explosion hits near a p»»»
Today in Kuwait's history
KUWAIT, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- 1959 -- Kuwait Amir Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah signed a decree regulating the judiciary. 1999 -- The UN Secretary General designated Kuwait's Higher Education Undersecretary Dr. Rasha Al-Sabah as board member of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research »»»