Parties Pay Tribute to Victims of Revival Process on 41st Anniversary of December Events
Representatives of several political parties and public organizations paid tribute this week to the victims of the so-called Revival Process, marking the 41st anniversary of the December events linked to resistance against the forced assimilation of Bulgaria’s Muslim minority during the communist p»»»
Mosque Attack in Homs Kills Three, Wounds Five in IED Blast - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Mosque Attack in Homs Kills Three, Wounds Five in IED Blast 26-12-2025 13:39 PM An explosion inside a mosque in the city of Homs on Friday »»»
UAE visitor alert: Popular camping spot to close temporarily
Abu Dhabi City Municipality has announced that the popular camping spot Al Wathba Lake will be temporarily closed to visitors for routine maintenance. The municipality said on its social media that the lake will be closed on Monday, December 29, from 12:30 pm to 7:00 pm. It will reopen after 7:00 P»»»
Israeli Reservist Rams Vehicle into Palestinian Man Praying in West Bank
An Israeli reservist soldier rammed his vehicle into a Palestinian man as he prayed on a roadside in the occupied West Bank on Thursday, after earlier firing shots in the area, the Israeli military said. "Footage was received of an armed individual running over a Palestinian individual," it said i»»»
Aoun, Berri and Salam want timely parliamentary elections
President Joseph Aoun, Speaker Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam agree that the upcoming parliamentary elections -- scheduled for May 2026 -- should be held on time, a media report said. Aoun, Berri and Salam are insisting on timely elections, despite some calls for postponing the polls fo»»»
Egypt's grand museum begins live restoration of ancient boat
Cairo: Egypt began a public live restoration of King Khufu's ancient solar boat at the newly-opened Grand Egyptian Museum on Tuesday, more than 4,000 years after the vessel was first built. Egyptian conservators used a small crane to carefully lift a fragile, decayed plank into the Solar Boats Muse»»»
14 Injured in Japan After Stabbing, Liquid Spray Attack, Official Says
Fourteen people were injured in a stabbing attack in a factory in central Japan during which an unspecified liquid was also sprayed, an emergency services official said on Friday. "Fourteen people are subject to transportation by emergency services," Tomoharu Sugiyama, a firefighting department off»»»
KSA strikes Hadramawt after urging UAE-backed separatists to leave south Yemen
Saudi Arabia, the main backer of Yemen's internationally-recognized government, conducted air strikes on separatist positions in Hadramawt on Friday, according to local media and the UAE-backed separatist Southern Transitional Council. "The Saudi Air Force bombed positions of the Hadrami Elite Forc»»»
Dubai unveils NYE 2026 fireworks location map: 48 displays across 40 spots
Dubai Police Headquarters has revealed the official location maps for the city’s New Year’s Eve 2026 fireworks, highlighting 48 displays across 40 venues across the emirate. The events will be held under the supervision of the Security Industry Regulatory Agency (SIRA), in coordination with relevan»»»
Botsan-Kharchenko: Solution in spirit of friendly Russia-Serbia relations being sought for NIS
BELGRADE - Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko said on Friday a solution that would, above all, be in the spirit of the friendly relations between Russia and Serbia was being sought for Serbia's oil company NIS. NIS is under US sanctions due to its Russian majority ownership.»»»
General Security member dies from wounds from Jadra strike
A man wounded in an Israeli strike last week south of Beirut has died of his injuries, The National News Agency said. It identified him as a member of Lebanon's General Security agency and said "he happened to be passing at the time of the strike as he returned from service" in the capital, earlier»»»
Nigeria gave US intelligence for strikes on militants: FM
Lagos: Nigeria said Friday it provided the United States with intelligence on jihadists before the Christmas Day strikes by US forces against what President Donald Trump said were Islamic State militants in the northwest of the country. The US strikes come after Abuja and Washington were locked in »»»
Foreign Ministry: SDF statements on Syria’s unity contradict reality in northeast
Damascus, Dec. 26 (SANA) A Syrian Foreign Ministry official source said Friday that repeated statements by SDF about Syria’s unity contradict the situation in the country’s northeast, where administrative, security, and military institutions operate separately out of the state, reinforcing division»»»
10 UAE projects that will improve quality of life for residents
Every few months, UAE gets a lifestyle upgrade. From new ways to commute to the office to flying by cab between cities, there’s a new innovation around every bend. As the Emirates races towards its aim to be the best in terms of digitally connected and quality of life, we look at the 12 cool projec»»»
Search underway for three missing hikers in Vardousia mountains
A search and rescue operation is underway in the Vardousia mountains of Fokida, central Greece, for three hikers who went missing on Thursday, authorities said. The hikers, who had planned a route from the village of Athanasios Diakos – the last stop before the mountain refuge en route to Korakas p»»»
Cabinet convenes for third time to discuss banks draft law
Ministers were reportedly suggesting amending a banking draft bill before approving it as Cabinet convened Friday in its third session to discuss the long-awaited bill that would distribute losses from the 2019 economic crisis. Al-Jadeed reported Friday that many ministers would vote against the la»»»
Israeli Airstrikes Target Bekaa and South Lebanon in Sovereignty Breach - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Airstrikes Target Bekaa and South Lebanon in Sovereignty Breach 26-12-2025 12:35 PM Enemy warplanes conducted a series of airstrike»»»
US Firm Confirms Resumption of Search for Wreckage of Flight MH370 That Vanished in 2014
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The US research firm Ocean Infinity confirmed to Sputnik on Friday that it was resuming the search for the wreckage of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared in 2014. With backing from the Malaysian government, the company is restarting the hunt for the missing MH370 a»»»
The Power of a Warm Welcome: Putin’s Historic Handshakes of 2025
This year saw truly historic meetings between Russian President Vladimir Putin and global leaders. Among them, the Russian head of state shook hands with US President Donald Trump, China's President Xi Jinping, North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un, India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Iran's President»»»
Brazil’s jailed ex-president Bolsonaro undergoes 'successful' hernia surgery
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who was serving a 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup, underwent successful hernia surgery in Brasília after being temporarily released from jail. Doctors said he was expected to remain hospitalised for several days. Former Brazilian president Ja»»»
Elusive wild cat feared extinct rediscovered in Thailand
Bangkok: An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday. Flat-headed cats are among the world's rarest and most threatened wild felines. Their range is limited to Southeast Asi»»»
Mastercard opens Levant HQ in Amman
Mastercard, a leading technology company in the global payments industry, has established its Levant headquarters in Amman, Jordan, coming closer to partners in Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Palestine. This follows the recent inauguration of its offices in Bahrain and Pakistan, said a statement. By est»»»
Shanghai's elderly waltz back to the past at lunchtime dance halls
Shanghai: A group of retirees cheered under disco lights as 60-year-old Xu Li leapt into her partner's arms, her legs spread akimbo in perfect splits. It was just a regular Wednesday at one of Shanghai's many lunchtime dance clubs, a phenomenon born of the city's deeply rooted love of ballroom cult»»»
Russian Forces Liberate Kosovtsevo Settlement in Zaporozhzhye Region
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have liberated the settlement of Kosovtsevo in the Zaporozhye region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Friday. "The units of the Vostok group of forces continued to advance into the depth of the enemy's defenses and, as a result of decisive actions, l»»»
Interception of Venezuelan Tankers by US Could Pose Security Risks - Chinese Ministry
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - China opposes the blockade of Venezuelan oil and the seizure of tankers, as these actions could pose security risks, Chinese Commerce Ministry spokesperson He Yongqian said. "The arbitrary interception of other countries' tankers could not only disrupt the functioning of the inte»»»
US launches air strikes against Islamic State group militants in Nigeria
President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US had launched "precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes". The claim came in a Christmas night social media post that offered few details, though US Africa Command later confirmed the strikes were conducted at the request of Nigeri»»»
Gold Price Hits New All-Time Record, Exceeding $4,560 per Troy Ounce
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The price of gold notched another all-time high during Friday's trading session, the trading data showed. As of 05:49 GMT, February gold price futures on the New York Comex exchange were up 0.86% from the prior close, gaining $38.6 to $4,541 per troy ounce. Earlier in the session»»»
China Sanctions US Defense Firms, Individuals Over Arms Sales to Taiwan
China's foreign ministry announced sanctions on Friday targeting 10 individuals and 20 US defense firms, including Boeing's St. Louis branch, over arms sales to Taiwan. The measures freeze any assets the companies and individuals hold in China and bar domestic organizations and individuals from do»»»
Iran Says Foreign Tanker Carrying Smuggled Fuel Seized in Gulf
Iran has seized a foreign oil tanker near the Iranian island of Qeshm in the Gulf, saying it was carrying 4 million liters of smuggled fuel, state media reported on Friday. Authorities did not name the vessel or disclose its nationality. They said 16 foreign crew members had been detained on c»»»
These 11 luxury hotels opening in 2026 are worth watching
Dubai: The definition of “luxury travel” is changing. As hotels by big-name interior designers with outposts of renowned restaurants get copy-pasted all around the world, they’re coming off as overly predictable and even cookie-cutter. With demand at the top end of the luxury travel market higher t»»»
Oreshnik Deployed in Belarus Can Carry Nuclear, Conventional Warheads
MINSK (Sputnik) - The Oreshnik missile system deployed in Belarus can carry both nuclear and conventional warheads, Belarusian Defense Minister Viktor Khrenin said on Friday. "The Oreshnik system is deployed on our territory... Everyone online has witnessed the system's capabilities. It can be used»»»
Bulgaria: Villages Face Challenges Converting Lev to Euro Due to Lack of Post Offices
In the mountain villages of Smochevo and Pastra, part of Rila municipality, residents are anticipating difficulties in converting their levs into euros due to the absence of local post offices. Currently, a postman from Rila visits these villages once a month, handling tasks such as paying social b»»»
US Believes Russia-Europe Normalization Can Be Achieved Through Economy – Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner see opportunities in restoring economic ties with Russia to enrich US investors and stabilize Moscow's relations with Europe and Ukraine, The Wall Street Journal newspaper reported on Friday, »»»
Elusive Wild Cat Feared Extinct Rediscovered in Thailand
An elusive wild cat long feared extinct in Thailand has been rediscovered three decades after the last recorded sighting, conservation authorities and an NGO said Friday. Flat-headed cats are among the world's rarest and most threatened wild felines. Their range is limited to Southeast Asia and the»»»
Israel says member of elite Iran unit among 3 killed in Thursday strikes
Lebanon said Israeli strikes near the Syrian border and in the country's south killed three people on Thursday, as Israel said it targeted a member of Iran's elite Quds Force and a Hezbollah operative. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities betwee»»»
Hooked on the claw: how crane games conquered Japan's arcades
Tokyo: As school and work wrap up, crowds fill Tokyo's many bustling arcade halls -- not to battle it out in fighting games, but to snag plush toys from claw machines. In one of these gaming hubs in the Japanese capital's Ikebukuro district, aisles of crane games stretch as far as the eye can see. »»»
Bulgaria's 2025 in Review: Mass Protests Take Down Government as Country Prepares for Eurozone Entry
Bulgaria’s political year 2025 will be remembered for the election of a regular government that resigned after 11 months in office amid mass protests, as well as for preparations for the country’s entry into the eurozone. Following a series of snap parliamentary elections, on January 16 the governm»»»
Türkiye Says Russia Gave It $9 Billion in New Financing for Akkuyu Nuclear Plant
Türkiye's energy minister said Russia had provided new financing worth $9 billion for the Akkuyu nuclear power plant being built by Moscow's state nuclear energy company Rosatom, adding Ankara expected the power plant to be operational in 2026. Rosatom is building Türkiye's first nuclear power sta»»»
Israel Army Says Striking Hezbollah Targets in Lebanon
The Israeli military announced a series of strikes on Hezbollah targets in Lebanon on Friday, including weapons depots and a training complex. "A number of weapons storage facilities and terrorist infrastructure sites were struck, which were used by Hezbollah to advance terror attacks against the s»»»
President of Kyrgyzstan opposes expanding People’s Kurultai powers - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov commented on a proposal by a delegate from Bishkek to introduce a one-year mandate for delegates of the People’s Kurultai and expand their powers. The head of state recalled that the first People’s Kurultai was held by presidential decree, as no law regulating »»»
Israel says member of elite Iran unit among 3 killed in Thursday strikes
Lebanon said Israeli strikes near the Syrian border and in the country's south killed three people on Thursday, as Israel said it targeted a member of Iran's elite Quds Force and a Hezbollah operative. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities betwee»»»
North Korea's Kim orders factories to make more missiles in 2026
Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military's growing need for the projectiles, state media said Friday. Pyongyang has significantly increased missile testing in recent years -- aimed, analysts say,»»»
Ukraine's Zelensky Says to Meet Trump in 'Near Future'
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that he would soon meet US leader Donald Trump, as part of efforts to end the Russian invasion. "We have agreed on a meeting at the highest level –- with President Trump in the near future. A lot can be decided before the New Year," Zelensky sai»»»
China Bets on Advanced Technologies to Revive Tepid Industrial Sector
China pledged on Friday to double down on upgrading its manufacturing base and promised capital to fund efforts targeting technological breakthroughs, after its industrial sector delivered an underwhelming performance this year. China's industry ministry expects output of large industrial companie»»»
Cambodia Says Thailand Escalated Strikes During Border Talks
Cambodia accused Thailand on Friday of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas, even as officials from the two countries attend a multi-day meeting aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes. The neighbors' long-standing border conflict reignited this month, shattering an earlier t»»»
Inside Chernobyl, Ukraine scrambles to repair radiation shield
Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine: Inside an abandoned control room at Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a worker in an orange hardhat gazed at a grey wall of seemingly endless dials, screens and gauges that were supposed to prevent disaster. The 1986 meltdown at the site was the world'»»»
Bulgaria Among World’s Heaviest Drinkers, New Data Reveal Alarming Alcohol Consumption Levels
Bulgaria remains among the countries with the highest levels of alcohol consumption in Europe and globally. According to World Health Organization data, the average Bulgarian aged over 15 consumes 11.2 litres of pure alcohol per year. An analysis by the Institute for Market Economics shows that spi»»»
Paying Bills May Become a Challenge in Bulgaria From December 29 to January 5
Households in Bulgaria may face significant obstacles in paying utility bills between December 29 and January 5 due to a combination of technical adjustments and the cluster of public holidays around the New Year, according to Darik News. The difficulties are linked to software updates required for»»»
US launches Christmas Day strikes on IS targets in Nigeria
Palm Beach, United States: President Donald Trump said US forces conducted "powerful and deadly" strikes Thursday against Islamic State group militants in northwestern Nigeria, weeks after he warned against any systemic assault on Christians in the country. The Nigerian foreign ministry early Frida»»»
Dubai NYE 2026: Massive celebrations with roads, Metro and fireworks plan
Dubai authorities have confirmed the full readiness of the security and operational plan for New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, ensuring public safety, smooth mobility, and seamless services across all major celebration sites. Also Read: NYE in Dubai: RTA announces road closures, Metro goes 43 hours»»»