The United States on Monday announced a $2 billion pledge for UN humanitarian aid as President Donald Trump’s administration continues to slash US foreign assistance and warns United Nations agencies to “adapt, shrink or die” in a time of new financial realities. The money is a small fraction of wh»»»

Foreign ministers from Cambodia and Thailand convened with their Chinese counterpart on Monday as the Beijing government, building on its expanding presence in the world diplomatic arena, sought to play a stronger mediating role in the violent border dispute between the two Southeast Asian countrie»»»

A ceremony to unveil a monument to film director, People’s Artist of the USSR, Toktogul State Prize laureate, and public and government figure Tolomush Okeev will take place on December 30 at 12:00 at the intersection of Chui Avenue and K. Akiyev Street. The event was reported by the press service »»»

Head of the Information Policy Service of the Presidential Administration of the Kyrgyz Republic, Daiyrbek Orunbekov, reported he climbed Uchitel Peak and replaced the damaged state flag of Kyrgyzstan with a new one. According to him, information had previously appeared online that the flag on Uchi»»»

Rabat: African player of the year Achraf Hakimi will make his first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations when hosts Morocco play Zambia on Monday, coach Walid Regragui confirmed. “What he has done to come back is extraordinary. What I can say is that Achraf will play tomorrow,” Regragui said yes»»»

Dubai: Nick Kyrgios beat women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” yesterday, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the »»»

Sixteen people have been killed and three left injured after a fire tore through a nursing home for elderly residents in northern Indonesia, local authorities say. The fire department was alerted to a fire at Damai retirement home in the city of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, on Su»»»

Beijing: China’s sprawling high-speed rail network passed 50,000 kilometres (31,000 miles) in total operating distance with the opening of a new line , state media reported. The country has the world’s largest rail network -- one-fifth longer than the circumference of the earth. The trip begins in »»»

Doha, Qatar: Amid a large crowd that filled the stands of the dedicated drift circuit at Qatar Racing Club (QRC), and with the participation of an elite group of drift champions from Qatar, the GCC, and the wider region, the third round of the Qatar Drift Championship came to a close. The champions»»»

Rabat: Algeria secured their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a Riyad Mahrez penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso yesterday. Captain Mahrez converted from the spot midway through the first half at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat and Algeria then held on to »»»

A draft resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan introducing a temporary ban on the export of mineral fertilizers beyond the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been submitted for public discussion. The document proposes imposing a six-month temporary ban on the »»»

President Sadyr Japarov signed a decree stripping Almazbek Atambayev of the state awards of the Kyrgyz Republic. According to the document, the decision was made in execution of the verdict of the Pervomaisky District Court of Bishkek dated June 3, 2025, and in accordance with the Law of the Kyrgyz»»»

Washington: Apple has released the first beta of iOS 26.3 for iPhone users. Among the foremost changes in iOS 26.3 -which is poised to be officially released in late January 2026 -is the new “Transfer to Android” feature, designed to make it easier for users to switch to Android devices. The update»»»

Doha, Qatar: QNB Group announced the launch of its first-ever sonic identity, marking a new milestone in the bank’s brand evolution and customer engagement journey. Developed in collaboration with Sixième Son, a global leader in sonic branding, the new musical identity is rooted in QNB’s brand pers»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Mitsubishi Montero Sport shines with its design, performance and durability, always making it the ideal car for all road conditions and. The Montero Sport and wide range of Mitsubishi models are obtainable at Qatar Automobiles Company, the authorized general distributor of Mitsubis»»»

Dubai: Temperatures are set to fall sharply across parts of Saudi Arabia as a third winter cold wave grips the Kingdom on Wednesday and Thursday, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The NCM said the cold spell will affect several regions, including Al Jouf, the Northern Borders, »»»

Bondi Beach shooting hero Ahmed al-Ahmed recalled the moment he ran towards one of the attackers and wrestled the gun from him, saying in an interview published Monday with a US outlet he wanted to protect "innocent people". Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah »»»

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump in Florida on Monday, with the US president pushing to move to the next stage of the fragile Gaza truce plan. The crucial meeting at Trump's lavish Mar-a-Lago resort comes as some White House officials fear both Israel and Hamas are s»»»

Yemen's eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra are passing through a critical phase amid the unprecedented unilateral military escalation carried out by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) that has been met with widespread regional and international condemnation. Observers have said the S»»»

Ahead of the New Year, Osh Mayor Zhenishbek Toktorbaev presented the keys to an apartment to Rosa Abdykarova, a mother of eight children. The Osh City Hall’s press service reported. Rosa Abdykarova has worked for many years as a technical staff member at the S. Zhigitov school. Earlier, during a vi»»»

For the third consecutive year, the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), in collaboration with the Permanent Committee for Labour Affairs in Dubai, has organised a special New Year celebration dedicated to the emirate’s workforce. The initiative reflects Dub»»»

A commission of Kyrgyzstan, headed by Deputy Mufti and Chairman of the Hajj 2026 headquarters, Zholdoshbek azhy Abdyldaev, visited the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah of Saudi Arabia. During the meeting, the sides discussed a number of key issues related to the organization of the Hajj in 2026. In parti»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs, represented by the Department of Islamic Affairs, has published the book ‘Durrat al-Tanzīl wa Ghurrat al-Ta’wīl’ by the eminent scholar Muhammad ibn Abdullah al-Khatib al-Iskafī (d. 420 AH). This publication comes as part of the ministry’s ong»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Language Institute of Qatar Armed Forces, represented by Acting Commander of the Language Institute, Brig. Khalid Hamad Al-Kaabi signed an agreement to extend the partnership and cooperation with the French Institute in Doha, represented by Deputy Director of the French Institute, »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Press Centre (QPC) hosted a delegation of Gulf and Arab journalists visiting Doha under the patronage of the Arab Federation for Sports Tourism, as part of their participation in the forum titled “The Cultural Dimension of Sports Tourism and Media.” The visiting delegation in»»»

The pull of home can be strong – even when it is a place you can't remember. That is how it is for Ahmed, 18. He emerges from a mosque in the heart of Gaziantep in south-east Turkey - not far from the Syrian border - wearing a black T-shirt with "Syria" written on the front. His family fled his hom»»»

In Plovdiv, students at Tsar Simeon the Great Secondary School are learning about the euro and how to handle money ahead of Bulgaria’s entry into the eurozone. Special interactive lessons have been prepared for the fourth-graders, combining theory with practical exercises. Presentations introduce t»»»

In 2026, Kyrgyzstan’s economy will maintain its regional leadership in GDP growth, reaching approximately 9.3 percent. The forecast was prepared by the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB). Analysts note that this growth will be driven by increased investment in transport, energy, water supply, and hous»»»

Doha, Qatar: A recent tourism market analysis by Mordor Intelligence highlights Qatar’s travel sector as a key driver of economic diversification, projecting ongoing expansion in visitor numbers and tourism infrastructure through 2026, supported by strategic marketing and enhanced connectivity. The»»»

The man who disarmed one of the gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach has revealed his thoughts in the moments before his heroic actions. In verified footage, Ahmed al Ahmed - a Sydney shop owner born and raised in Syria - tackled one of the two shooters from behind, wrestlin»»»

Qatar Amiri Air Force as part of his visit to Qatar. During the visit, he met with Commander of Qatar Amiri Air Force Maj Gen (Pilot) Faisal Khalid Al-Ghanim. During the meeting, the two sides discussed topics of mutual interest and ways to enhance and develop them. During the visit, the Chief of S»»»

Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) has received full accreditation from the Canadian Information Processing Society (CIPS) for its Diploma in Information Technology (Dip IT) and Diploma in Information Systems (Dip. IS), offered through the College of Computing and»»»

Doha, Qatar: For the young musicians of Qatar Music Academy, a one-week camp at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid offered far more than intensive training – it was a transformative experience that boosted confidence, broadened horizons, and opened new pathways for the future. In the month w»»»

Dubai: A five-year-old boy has died at a Japanese ski resort after his arm became trapped in an outdoor moving walkway, prompting an investigation into why the machine’s automated safety systems failed to engage. Hinata Goto, a kindergartner from Sapporo, was visiting the Asari Ski Resort in Otaru,»»»

The UN is experiencing a financial crisis due to unpaid contributions from several countries, including the largest payer and, by extension, the largest debtor - the US, which owes over $3 billion. The UN is barely involved in resolving most of the world's conflicts today and must regain this role,»»»

Dubai: New car prices across the Gulf have held broadly steady this year, although affordability still varies sharply between markets, with Saudi Arabia remaining the most cost-effective place to buy a mass-market vehicle and the UAE at the other end of the scale. A new comparative pricing study co»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Transport (MoT) has underscored the increasing role of Al Sudan Bus Station within Qatar’s integrated public transport network, reaffirming its capacity, service readiness and alignment with the country’s sustainability objectives. In a post on its official X account ye»»»

Doha, Qatar: Reinforcing its commitment to supporting local production and food security, LuLu Hypermarket Qatar, in cooperation with the Agricultural Affairs Department under the Ministry of Municipality, officially launched the ‘Made in Qatar – Qatari Products Our First Choice’ campaign at LuLu H»»»

The Syrian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday the deployment of military forces in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus in wake of an armed attack against security forces and civilians during recent protests. Syrian television said the deployment was happening after "outlawed groups" carried »»»

Twenty-six MPs from the 51st National Assembly, or around 11% of the total 240, have been reprimanded in 2025. Three of those 26 have also received censure, according to data from the National Assembly website. According to article 154 of the Rules of Organization and Procedure of the National Asse»»»

A man was beaten in Bishkek. Four suspects have been detained. The press service of the Internal Affairs Department of Leninsky district reported. According to police, on December 28 at 1:48 a.m., a call was received by the 102 service reporting that a group of individuals was beating a man lying o»»»

Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi was named President of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai yesterday, leading a night of major honours for the French champions. PSG collected seven awards in total after completing a historic 2025 season, capped by victory over Flamengo in »»»

Doha, Qatar: Paris Saint-Germain were honoured at the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, held annually in Dubai yesterday. With seven awards won, the entire Parisian team was recognised, reflecting the work carried out at all levels throughout this historic year. Less than two weeks ago, Paris Saint-Ger»»»

Doha, Qatar: Mohammed Saleh struck deep into stoppage time to rescue Al Rayyan from defeat as they drew 2-2 with Al Arabi in a Qatar Stars League clash at Al Thumama Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan had looked set to leave empty-handed despite scoring first, but Palestine international Saleh surged in »»»

Doha, Qatar: Norwegian maestro Magnus Carlsen underlined his dominance of elite chess by winning the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha yesterday, finishing a point clear of the field with 10.5 points from 13 rounds. At Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex, the world No. 1 cla»»»

Dubai: A 70-year-old man has died and more than 150 passengers narrowly escaped after fire tore through two air-conditioned coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Junction Super-Fast Express near Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Monday. The deceased was identified as Chandrasekhar Sundar, a resident»»»

Azat Mirakhimov has been named the best coach of the year 2025 by the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports of Kyrgyzstan. The announcement was made during the Olympic Ball that took place in Bishkek. Azat Mirakhimov has been coaching the Kyrgyz national freestyle wrestling team since the en»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour (MoL), and the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE), launched yesterday the Winter Edition of its job-shadowing program ‘My Career – My Future,’ at Multa»»»

Doha, Qatar: Childhood obesity in the region, including Qatar, is widely misunderstood as a matter of individual discipline or quick policy solutions, according to a Doha-based health expert. However, it is a long-term challenge shaped by biology, economics, urban design, and social norms, one that»»»

Chief of Staff of the US Air Force, Gen Kenneth Wilsbach and his accompanying delegation paid an official visit to the Qatar Amiri Air Force during his visit to the State of Qatar, where he met with the Commander of the Qatar Amiri Air Force, Maj Gen (Pilot) Faisal Khalid Al-Ghanim.»»»