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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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, »»»

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»»»

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»»»

The Israeli military announced a series of strikes on "Hezbollah targets" in south and east 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 »»»

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 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'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»»»

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 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 »»»

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»»»

President Joseph Aoun announced Thursday that the Lebanese state will continue with its arms monopolization plan. "The decision has been taken while implementation depends on the circumstances," Aoun told reporters in Bkirki after taking part in Christmas Day Mass. He was answering a question about»»»

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,»»»

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 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 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»»»

The state-owned enterprise NC Kyrgyz Temir Zholu, under the Ministry of Transport and Communications of the Kyrgyz Republic, will increase tariffs for rail freight transportation by 9 percent starting February 1, 2026. The decision was made in accordance with the ministry order dated December 5, 20»»»

A Malaysia court has convicted former prime minister Najib Razak for abuse of power, in his second major trial for a multi-billion-dollar state funds scandal. Najib, 72, faces multiple charges for misappropriating nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit ($569m; £422m) from the nation's sovereign wealt»»»

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 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»»»

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»»»

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 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»»»

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. The cro»»»

Former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak was found guilty Friday of abusing his power in the 1MDB graft scandal, which saw billions plundered from the now-defunct sovereign wealth fund. "The prosecution, I find, has thus proven its case against the accused beyond a reasonable doubt in respect of»»»

Two sisters in their 20s died by suicide in Lucknow because they were grief stricken at the idea of losing their pet dog, reported Times of India. The women, 22 and 24, were very attached to their German Shepherd, their family members said, adding that the dog had been ill for quite some time. Whil»»»

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. The Event Security Committee, during a press conference at Dubai Civil De»»»

Throngs of feral cats emerge from the shade of parked trucks and bushes as soon as the familiar Subaru Forester pulls into a dump on Hawaii's Big Island. They run after the vehicle to a certain meal — a gravy train that might not be around much longer. A Hawaii County law set to take effect at the »»»

Delegates of the IV People’s Kurultai have concluded their speeches. President Sadyr Japarov noted that he recorded the statements of all 150 participants, and all proposals will be forwarded to members of the Cabinet of Ministers. The head of state responded to some of the suggestions. He agreed w»»»

Dubai: A winter storm bearing down on the US Northeast has brought air travel to a standstill across New York City’s major airports, creating chaos for thousands of holiday travellers. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Flight tracking site FlightAware reported at least 4»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to enter the eurozone on January 1, 2026, attention is increasingly turning to the security of euro banknotes and coins. Financial authorities stress that while the euro is among the most protected currencies globally, attempts at counterfeiting still occur, making basic knowle»»»

Japan's government on Friday proposed record spending for next fiscal year while curbing debt issuance, underscoring Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's challenge in boosting the ​economy while inflation remains above the central bank's target. Her cabinet approved a draft budget of $783 billion that a»»»

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 culture from i»»»

As of November 2025, at least 128,497 citizens of Kyrgyzstan who have no legal grounds to stay in Russia have been included in the Register of Controlled Persons, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported to 24.kg news agency. The register covers individuals who are required to leave Russia in accor»»»

Israeli occupation forces committed ten new violations of the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip since early Friday, local sources reported, further destabilizing the tenuous pause in the genocidal war. The violations included targeted demolitions and aerial attacks across the territory. In Gaza»»»

In a case of a loving relationship gone toxic, a man in Hyderabad allegedly doused his wife in petrol and set her on fire in front of this children. When his daughter tried to intervene, she was also shoved into the flames. Then, the man – who lived in the Nallakunta area – fled the scene. The man »»»

China will tighten oversight of new copper and alumina projects to curb irrational investment and disorderly expansion from 2026 ​to 2030, the country’s top economic planner said on Friday. In an article on its website, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said local governments mu»»»

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, at imp»»»

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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 on Friday, state media reported. The country has the world's largest rail network -- one-fifth longer than the circumference of the earth. The trip b»»»

Nikos Plakias, who lost his twin daughters and a niece in Greece’s deadliest rail disaster, has criticized railway operator Hellenic Train over a Christmas greetings card he said showed a lack of sensitivity toward victims’ families. The card, bearing the message “Next stop: Next to those we love,”»»»

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of a "new conspiracy" being planned by Tehran's opponents, warning that they may seek to create economic and social unrest to destabilize the country. Speaking at a forum in Isfahan, he explained that the conspiracy will not be based on a direct milita»»»

Damascus, Dec. 26 (SANA) The Syrian export-focused clothing exhibition Motex Khan al-Harir has attracted significant attention from Arab business delegations, showcasing the country’s textile industry and its growing potential in regional markets. The event is organized by the Chambers of Industry »»»

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»»»

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's worst ever nuclear incident. Since Rus»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Department of Nutrition Sciences at the College of Health Sciences at Qatar University (QU) hosted the BSc in Nutrition and Dietetics Undergraduate Capstone Research Projects and Presentations, highlighting nine research projects completed by senior undergraduate students under the»»»