Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a message of condolences to President Mohammed Shahabuddin of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh over the passing of Khaleda Zia, former Prime Minister of Bangladesh. His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, V»»»

President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland but he added in his social media post that federal forces will "come back" if crime rates go up. Local leaders in those cities and Democrats have said the deployments, »»»

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned on Wednesday a move by Israel to ban electricity or water to facilities owned by the UN Palestinian refugee agency, a UN spokesperson said. The spokesperson said the move would "further impede" the agency's ability to operate and carry out»»»

Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Thursday he seriously considered retiring from tennis in the depths of a struggle with serious back pain during much of the 2025 season. But the former world number three, now ranked 36th after playing just two Davis Cup matches since a second-round exit at the US Open, s»»»

US President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at a glittering New Year's Eve party at his lavish Mar-a-Lago resort on Wednesday, according to social media. Netanyahu, who arrived at the US president's Palm Beach residence on Monday, was spotted alongside tuxedo-clad Tru»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his troops fighting abroad as forging an "invincible alliance" with Russia in a new year's message, state media said Thursday. Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and W»»»

Dubai: Pakistan recorded a notable decline in cross-border terrorist attacks and violence-linked fatalities after it shut its border with Afghanistan on October 11, according to a security report cited by Dawn on Thursday. Terrorist attacks fell by nearly 17 per cent in December, following a 9 per »»»

Crans-Montana, Switzerland: A fire ripped through a crowded bar in the luxury Swiss ski resort town of Crans-Montana as revellers rang in the New Year, killing and injuring several people, police said early Thursday. Police, firefighters and rescuers rushed to the popular resort, one of the top-ran»»»

Manila: The Philippine government keeps the good times rolling for lolo and lola, pumping up financial perks through a vibrant mix of social welfare goodies, pension tweaks, and hot-off-the-press legislation proposals.​ Manila continues to expand financial assistance for the country's seniors a mix»»»

Three Ukrainian drones attacked a hotel and cafe in the Kherson region, with one drone carrying an incendiary device. Regional governor Vladimir Saldo stated the strike intentionally targeted civilians leaving 24 dead, 29 injured, including 5 children. "This morning, alongside their croissants and »»»

On January 1, the Bulgarian Orthodox Church marks St. Basil’s Day, also known as Vasilitsa or Survaki, one of the most widely observed calendar and name-day holidays in the country. The feast honors St. Basil the Great, while nearly 40,000 people in Bulgaria named Vasil and its many variations cele»»»

President Rumen Radev described Bulgaria’s decision to adopt the euro as a strategic move taken at a highly contentious moment, speaking in his New Year’s address shortly before the country entered 2026. According to the head of state, the change of currency marks the final stage of Bulgaria’s inte»»»

Abu Dhabi Police have recognised an Asian expatriate resident for his honesty and integrity after he handed over a sum of money he had found. The award was presented by Brigadier Dr Hamad Abdullah Al Neyadi, Director of the Criminal Security Sector at Abu Dhabi Police, who also gave him a gift to a»»»

Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a holy Quran as he took his oa»»»

The Audit Bureau’s Annual Report for 2024, issued yesterday, revealed a decline in total oil revenues recorded in the books during 2024 by approximately 31.8 billion Libyan dinars compared to the 2023 fiscal year. The report indicated that oil revenues, taxes, and royalties amounted to 89,810,095,2»»»

With the adoption of the euro, Bulgaria affirms its place at the heart of the European Union, facilitates travel, business, and investment, and contributes to stability and confidence in the common European economy, the Foreign Ministry said on Facebook. As of January 1, Bulgaria is the 21st member»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, replacing the leva (BGN) at a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR, the country faces a complex landscape of price adjustments across various sectors. This comprehensive analysis examines which prices are rising, which are falling, an»»»

Beside the railroad tracks of Copenhagen’s train station, right in the heart of the Danish capital, stands a red-brick building with an ornate façade and a copper-clad cupola still turning green over time. When it opened in 1912 as the Central Post Building, its grandeur echoed the booming postal a»»»

Israel said on Thursday that 37 international NGOs operating in Gaza had not complied with a deadline to meet "security and transparency standards," in particular disclosing information on their Palestinian staff, and that it "will enforce" a ban on their activities. "Organizations that have failed»»»

Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te on Thursday vowed to defend the self-ruled island’s sovereignty in the face of China’s “expansionist ambitions,” days after Beijing wrapped up live-fire military drills near its shores. “In the face of China’s rising expansionist ambitions, the international communi»»»

The Trump administration in recent months has latched onto news of a large-scale public benefit fraud scandal to carry out immigration raids and harsher policies targeting Minnesota’s large Somali migrant community. An influencer's video on the subject ignited conservative circles this weekend and »»»

Thousands of documents and interviews with Assad-era officials reveal how the Syrian regime worked to conceal evidence of its atrocities during the civil war, according to a report published by The New York Times. The heads of the security agencies arrived in convoys of black SUVs to Bashar al-Assa»»»

Dubai: A lethal mix of sewage and drinking water triggered a public health disaster in Madhya Pradesh’s Indore — India’s cleanest city — killing at least seven people and hospitalising over 200, as investigations revealed shocking lapses in civic infrastructure and official coordination. According »»»

Dubai: Friday sermons and prayers across the UAE will be held at 12.45pm from tomorrow, under a nationwide schedule announced last month by religious authorities. The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat said the change, effective from tomorrow—the first Friday of the new year»»»

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab has warned the remnants of the former regime against efforts to lead chaos, killing, and destruction as his ministry announced the arrest of several people in Latakia and Tartus for involvement in war crimes and instigations that threaten civil peace. Khattab s»»»

This is our story, Mohammed. We fell in the trap early. We were lured by the beautiful, but deceitful, ink. We chose a thorny profession. We chose a long tunnel. No breaks and no truces. It is the hot pursuit of the news that takes up most of our lives. The reader is insatiable. The journalist purs»»»

Europe’s decision to mobilise a €90 billion EU-backed loan to keep Ukraine financially afloat marks one of the most consequential—and revealing—moments of the war. Beyond the complex night-long diplomacy that sealed the deal in Brussels, the key strategic question now confronting European capitals »»»

Thailand and Cambodia on Saturday signed a ceasefire agreement aimed at ending weeks of armed clashes along their disputed border, following a renewed escalation in early December. The ceasefire came into force around noon local time, calling for an immediate halt to military movements by both side»»»

Veteran Egyptian screenwriter and director Daoud Abdel‑Sayed has died in Cairo at the age of 79, bringing to a close one of the most intellectually influential careers in Egyptian and Arab cinema. Born on 23 November 1946, Abdel-Sayed emerged as a leading figure of Egyptian neo-realism, renowned fo»»»

Egypt has taken a significant step in modernising its healthcare supply chain with the launch of a new unified digital portal by the Unified Procurement Authority (UPA), bringing together procurement, logistics, and medical technology management into a single national platform for the health sector»»»

The Bulgarian National Bank (BNB) has confirmed that the countercyclical capital buffer for credit risk exposures in Bulgaria is set to remain at 2 percent in the first quarter of 2027. This decision, announced by the BNB Governing Council, aims to strengthen banks’ ability to absorb potential loss»»»

Doha, Qatar: ROBOTECH 26 will position Qatar as a regional hub for advanced technology investment as the country is focusing on digital transformation as a fundamental sector for developing the digital economy, enhancing long-term capabilities in artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging tech»»»

Doha, Qatar: QNB Group proudly announces a year of outstanding progress in talent development, professional learning, and capability-building achievements throughout 2025. In alignment with one of the Bank’s core values—Fostering Career Development—QNB continues to champion a culture of continuous »»»

Dubai: Sovereign wealth funds globally amassed a record $15 trillion in assets under management in a year when many deepened their technology investments and profited from buoyant markets, according to a new report by Global SWF. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Overall»»»

Doha, Qatar: As part of its continued commitment to excellence, WWICS successfully conducted its Annual Immigration Conference on 26th December 2025, where 300+ aspirants attended and interacted with immigration experts during free one-on-one counseling sessions. WWICS Group is the world’s largest »»»

Three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the Kherson Region, with preliminary data showing 24 people killed and over 50 injured. "The cynical and criminal strike was obviously executed to disrupt all attempts by Russia and the US to reach a diplomatic settlement," Governor Vladimir Saldo told Sputni»»»

On Jan. 1, 1890, the first Tournament of Roses parade took place in Pasadena, Calif. 1 of 8 | Volunteers use thousands of flowers and other plant material to prepare floats for the 136th annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., on December 30. The Rose Parade will be televised live on»»»

Saint-Denis de La Réunion: France's Reunion island warned early Thursday of the "probable or imminent eruption" of its Piton de la Fournaise volcano, one of the most active in the world. All access to the volcano has been closed after the The Piton de la Fournaise Observatory detected a "seismic cr»»»

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has received messages of congratulations from presidents, kings and princes of world countries on the occasion of the New Year 2026. Also ReadAlso Read: UAE leaders share heartfelt New Year wishes for 2026 Also Read: UAE leaders e»»»

Mohammed al-Shafei, one of Asharq Al-Awsat's most prominent journalists, passed away at 74 on Wednesday, leaving behind a career that spanned over 40 years during which he tackled the thorniest and most complex files. Al-Shafei specialized in extremist groups and was among the first journalists to »»»

Hamas has undergone a series of leadership changes in the Gaza Strip following the assassination of several senior figures during the two-year Israeli war, increasing the influence of individuals close to the movement’s former leader, Yahya Sinwar, who was killed in clashes with the Israeli army in»»»

Dubai: UAE motorists are heading into 2026 with fuel prices finally moving in a friendlier direction after a year marked by sharp swings at the pump. January opened with noticeable cuts across petrol and diesel grades, offering some relief after months of volatility and raising expectations that th»»»

In Bulgaria, the maximum value of food vouchers is set at 102.26 euros following the currency conversion, without any increase in the nominal amount. Tanya Obushtarova from the Association of Food Voucher Operators explained that for digital vouchers, this change is purely technical. The associatio»»»

Geneva: Several people were killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through the luxury Alpine ski resort town of Crans Montana, Swiss police said early Thursday. "There has been an explosion of unknown origin," Gaetan Lathion, a police spokesman in Wallis canton in southwestern Switzerla»»»

Dubai: Mandatory premarital medical examinations came into force on Thursday, January 1, 2026, for all Omanis intending to marry, following a royal decree in a move the authorities say is designed to strengthen family health and curb the spread of genetic and infectious diseases. According to local»»»

Greece and Cyprus are starting 2026 by turning down the volume. The countries’ capital cities, Athens and Nicosia, have traded the familiar whizz, crackle and boom of window‑rattling fireworks for spectacle without the shock wave, opting for low‑noise pyrotechnics, light shows and drone displays. T»»»

New York: Zohran Mamdani, young upstart of the US, was readying yesterday to take over as New York mayor for a term sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump. After the clocks strike midnight, bringing in 2026, Mamdani will take his oath of office at an abandoned subway stop, taking »»»

On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria marks one year since becoming a full member of the Schengen Area. On December 12, 2024, the Council of the European Union decided to lift checks at the land Schengen borders of Bulgaria and Romania. Bulgaria and Romania had waited to accede Schengen since 2010, when the»»»

In his year-end interview on M1 television, Prime Minister Orbán delivered a sobering message: Europe has chosen war, and Hungary must now decide whether to join or remain on its own path. “To stay out or not to stay out—this was the question in 2025,” he declared, saying that next year’s parliamen»»»

London: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his side are starting to see the benefits of their hard work as the Gunners head into 2026 at the top of the Premier League. Tuesday’s emphatic 4-1 win at home to title rivals Aston Villa left Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, »»»