BBC 1m

Knife attacker kills three after smoke bombing Taiwan metro

At least three people have been killed and five others injured as a knife-wielding attacker ‍went ‍on a ​rampage in the Taiwanese capital Taipei. The 27-year-old suspect set off smoke bombs at Taipei's main metro station on Friday, before running to another station in a busy shopping district, stab»»»

bbc.com
Sana 2m

Turkey welcomes the lifting of the “Caesar Act” sanctions on Syria

Ankara ,Dec. 19 (SANA) Turkey welcomed the U.S. decision to repeal the “Caesar Act,” stressing the importance of this step in promoting stability and reconstruction in Syria. “We hope this step will further encourage international cooperation for Syria’s reconstruction and revival, thereby contribu»»»

sana.sy
TAP 6m

Parliament General Legislation Committee concludes visit to The Hague

Tunis, Dec. 19 (TAP) – The General Legislation Committee of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) has concluded its visit programme to The Hague, the Netherlands, as part of an initiative to gain knowledge of the main international...»»»

Naharnet 6m

Geagea accuses Aoun, Berri and Salam of 'collusion', warns against 'troika'

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea on Friday charged that the quorum for Thursday’s legislative session was secured due to the “collusion” of President Joseph Aoun, Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri and Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, warning against the emergence of a new “troika.” "In some ways, the»»»

BBC 7m

French court rejects Shein website suspension over childlike sex dolls

A Paris court has rejected an effort by the French government to suspend the website of fast-fashion giant Shein in response to it selling childlike sex dolls on its platform. The court said the request for a three-month suspension was "disproportionate" - but did order age verification for the sal»»»

bbc.com
Sputnik 7m

NATO, Think Twice: Military Expert Lists Option for Russia to Protect Kaliningrad

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that blockade of the Kaliningrad exclave would spark escalation, stressing that all threats would be neutralized. "This implies using the full range of available tools," Alexander Stepanov, a military expert at the Institute of Law and National Security at th»»»

sputniknews.com
Sputnik 7m

EU and NATO Refusal to De-escalate With Russia Raises Risk of Mistakes – Scholar

Russian President Vladimir Putin accused European governments of portraying Russia as an enemy to hide their systemic mistakes. What's behind that?"NATO and the EU interpret Russian military modernization and forward deployments as offensive," Marco Marsili, a researcher at Cà Foscari University of»»»

sputniknews.com
Al Awsat 11m

Winter at Tantora Festival Kicks Off in AlUla

The Winter at Tantora Festival launched yesterday in AlUla Governorate and will run until January 10, 2026, marking the beginning of the winter season with a rich program that celebrates the region’s deep-rooted agricultural and historical heritage. The festival derives its name from the Tantora, a»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 11m

Turkish Authorities Investigate Drone Crash Days after Shooting Down Another UAV

Authorities on Friday opened an investigation into an unmanned aerial vehicle that crashed in northwest Türkiye, just days after the country shot down another drone that entered its airspace from the Black Sea. Residents in Kocaeli province discovered the damaged UAV in a field, prompting an offici»»»

english.aawsat.com
TAP 16m

Untapped export opportunities highlighted at annual forum of CEPEX heads of offices overseas

Tunis, Dec. 19 (TAP) - Reports on export potential, untapped opportunities and promising markets for Tunisia were presented at the annual forum of the Export Promotion Centre (CEPEX) of offices overseas held from December 15 to 19.Participants...»»»

Gulf News 20m

Sharjah weather response: Police contain impact

Sharjah Police said heightened field readiness and close coordination with strategic partners helped contain the impact of the recent unstable weather across the UAE, with no serious incidents reported. The police praised public awareness and cooperation, noting that adherence to official safety in»»»

gulfnews.com
Kuna 23m

Oman's cultivated mountains' terraces turn into tourist attraction

Photo feature by Abdullah Al-Husseini MUSCAT, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- Across mountains' slopes, terraced orchards are a testament to the Omanis' skills of coping with rugged terrain; a beautiful panorama depicting co-existence between the human being and the nature.Omanis have for a long time terraced the»»»

Kuna 23m

Amiri Diwan thanks people for mourning demise of Sheikh Jaber Mubarak

KUWAIT, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The Amiri Diwan, on behalf of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on Friday expressed gratitude to citizens and residents of the country for offering condolences on demise of Sheikh Jaber Mubarak Sabah Al-Nasser Al-Sabah. (end) rk»»»

Kuna 23m

Egyptian FM, Russian counterpart hold talks, discuss bilateral relations, mutual issues

CAIRO, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The Egyptian Foreign and Immigration Minister Dr. Badr Abdel Aatty met on Friday with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov, where they addressed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, and discussed regional and international issues of common interest.During the meeting, th»»»

Al Awsat 23m

UK Imposes Sanctions on Perpetrators of Violence Against Syrian Civilians

Britain ​imposed sanctions on Friday on individuals and organizations it said were linked to violence perpetrated against civilians in Syria, including some who financially supported former president Bashar al-Assad's government. While Britain ‌has eased some ‌sanctions on ‌Syria ⁠as ​the country ‌»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 23m

Oil Set for Second Straight Weekly Decline on Supply Outlook

Oil prices rose on Friday but were poised for a second straight weekly decline as a potential supply glut and prospects of a Russia-Ukraine peace deal limited gains driven by concerns over disruptions from a blockade of Venezuelan tankers. Brent crude futures were up 52 cents, or 0.87%, at $60.34 a»»»

english.aawsat.com
BBC 24m

US judge found guilty of helping migrant evade immigration agents

A judge in the US state of Wisconsin has been found guilty of obstruction for trying to help a Mexican man evade immigration officials during an arrest attempt. Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan was arrested in April after ushering Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, a Mexican national facing misdemeano»»»

bbc.com
The Peninsula 25m

Fireworks to close Arab Cup Cultural Zone tonight: Lusail

Doha, Qatar: Lusail Boulevard will conclude the final day of the Arab Cup Cultural Zone with a fireworks display, the city of Lusail announced on social media. The fireworks will be accompanied by other events that begin at 5pm and conclude at midnight.»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Naharnet 27m

Flights canceled, roads flooded as rare storm soaks UAE

UAE airport authorities cancelled or delayed dozens of flights and roads were flooded in major cities as the heaviest rainstorm in months lashed the desert nation on Friday. Dubai's Emirates airline axed 13 flights on Friday and there were also delays and cancellations at neighboring Sharjah's airp»»»

Qatar Tribune 28m

Qatar welcomes US decision to lift sanctions imposed on Syria

DOHA: The State of Qatar has welcomed the US decision to lift sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic as part of the Cesar Act, saying it's a step that supports stability and prosperity in Syria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed, in a statement, the State of Qatar’s hope that the lif»»»

qatar-tribune.com
TAP 28m

Tunisias exports edge up 1.5% by end of November 2025

TUNIS, Dec. 19 (TAP) – Tunisia's exports edged up 1.5% by the end of November 2025 compared with last year, reaching TND 57.9 billion. This return to an upward trend is thanks to the results achieved over the past three months, according to heads of...»»»

BBC 31m

Norway's crown princess likely needs lung transplant, palace says

Norway's Crown Princess Mette-Marit will likely need a lung transplant as her health has worsened in recent months, the country's royal household has said. The princess, 52, was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. The degenerative disease creates scar tissue that stiffens the lungs making it»»»

bbc.com
Naharnet 35m

French court rejects Shein suspension

A French court on Friday rejected the state's request to suspend Shein's site in France as "disproportionate" after the Asian e-commerce giant removed illicit products sold on its platform. French authorities had requested the ultra-fast-fashion giant's site be blocked for three months after weapon»»»

Sana 38m

Qatar: Lifting the “Caesar Act” supports stability and prosperity in Syria

Doha, Dec. 19 (SANA) The State of Qatar welcomed the U.S. decision to lift sanctions imposed on Syria under the “Caesar Act,” describing it as an important step towards supporting stability and prosperity in the country.In a statement posted on its account on X, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs »»»

sana.sy
Tanjug 44m

Brnabic: Vucic familiar with agreements on NIS, I believe he will make public address

BELGRADE - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Friday President Aleksandar Vucic was well familiar with all documents related to Serbia's oil company NIS - which is under US sanctions due to its Russian majority ownership - and that she believed he would make a public address following R»»»

tanjug.rs
Al Awsat 48m

Ukraine Offers to Help Poland Develop Drone Defenses, Zelenskiy Says

Ukraine can help Poland develop anti-drone technology, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said during a visit to Warsaw on Friday, as he and his Polish counterpart Karol Nawrocki stressed the countries' unity on security matters. Poland has been one of Ukraine's staunchest backers since Russia's invasio»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 48m

Ukraine Hits Russian 'Shadow Fleet' Tanker in Mediterranean

Ukraine struck a Russian "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea with ​aerial drones for the first time, an official said on Friday, reflecting the growing intensity of Kyiv's attacks on Russian oil shipping. The vessel was empty when it was struck by drones in neutral waters more than 2»»»

english.aawsat.com
Naharnet 48m

Salam to announce long-awaited banking law draft

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam will announce on Friday a long-awaited banking draft bill, which envisions sharing losses from the 2019 economic crisis between banks and the state, a Lebanese official said. The legislation, which has come to be known as the fiscal gap law, is a key demand from the inter»»»

RT 49m

Trump suspends green card lottery after Ivy League campus killings

US President Donald Trump has suspended the green card lottery program after officials said the suspect in the shootings at Brown University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology had entered the country through that system. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said late on Thursday that,»»»

rt.com
RT 49m

EU should be ready to engage with Russia – Macron

The EU should be open to reengaging in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as diplomacy regarding the Ukraine conflict is gaining momentum, French President Emmanuel Macron has said. The comments come after the bloc failed to agree on stealing frozen Russian assets to aid Ukraine. Speaking»»»

rt.com
Naharnet 51m

Syria welcomes lifting of US sanctions

Syria's foreign ministry on Friday welcomed the permanent ending by the United States of the so-called Caesar sanctions, paving the way for the return of investment to the war-ravaged nation. The U.S. Congress on Wednesday permanently ended the sanctions imposed on Syria under Bashar al-Assad, who »»»

Naharnet 51m

Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch visits Gaza for Christmas

Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, arrived in Gaza Friday for Christmas Mass at the Holy Family Parish in Gaza City, which hosts the Palestinian territory's only Roman Catholic church. The senior churchman "arrived in Gaza today for a pastoral visit to the Holy Family Pa»»»

MIA 54m

Nikolovski: Electronic customs data exchange with Bulgaria to give new impetus to Green Lanes

Skopje, 18 December 2025 (MIA) – Green Lanes ensure the uninterrupted movement of goods and are key to strengthening the competitiveness of companies and building trust among neighboring countries. It is our shared responsibility to turn good concepts into fully functional systems in practice, Boba»»»

mia.mk
Bulgarian News Agency 56m

Save Sofia Party Push Pays Off as Skoda Agrees 75 New Trolleybuses for Sofia

Save Sofia’s programme to renew Sofia’s public transport fleet was already delivering results, the party said on Friday. The comment followed a Skoda post earlier in the day saying it had signed a contract to supply 75 new low-floor trolleybuses for the Bulgarian capital. Save Sofia said the contra»»»

bta.bg
Sputnik 56m

Il-76MD-90A: Modernized Workhorse of Russian Air Power

An upgrade of the Il-76 military transport jet, the aircraft features modern Russian digital avionics with a ‘glass cockpit’, upgraded navigation and electronic systems and a strengthened airframe. Designed to transport troops and to conduct airdrops, the Il-76MD-90A can carry the full range of equ»»»

sputniknews.com
Gulf News 57m

Christmas in UAE: Turkey prices, availability and where it comes from

As Christmas celebrations approach across the UAE, shoppers are on the hunt for a traditional centerpiece item: turkey. Once considered a niche product, turkey is now increasingly visible across supermarkets, traditional markets and butcher shops, as families and expats prepare for festive dinners »»»

gulfnews.com
Novinite 57m

Bulgaria’s Parliament Begins Three-Week Holiday Until January 10

Bulgaria’s National Assembly is entering a three-week recess, with MPs set to return on January 10, 2026. The last plenary session of the 51st parliament was held today. Deputy Speaker Kostadin Angelov confirmed that the break will begin on Monday, December 22, and continue through early January. T»»»

novinite.com
UPI 1h

2 newspaper offices burned in Bangladesh protests; journalists escape - UPI.com

1 of 2 | Protesters set fire to the Prothom Alo offices in Dhaka, Bangladesh, to protest the death of youth protest leader Sharif Osman Hadi's death Thursday. Demonstrations broke out after Hadi died two weeks after being shot in the head. Photo by Monirul Alam/EPA Dec. 19 (UPI) -- Two newspaper of»»»

upi.com
Bulgarian News Agency 1h

K-NPP Radiation Unchanged After Unit 6 Fault Report

Radiation conditions at the Kozloduy Nuclear Power Plant site were unchanged and were expected to remain so, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency said here on Friday, after information circulated about a fault in Unit 6’s secondary circuit. The agency was notified of the case as part of its daily communic»»»

bta.bg
Tanjug 1h

Putin: We know what is going on with NIS, I am hoping for joint solution

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday he knew what was going on with the Serbian oil company NIS - which is under US sanctions due to its Russian majority ownership - and that he hoped a joint solution would be found. "We know what is going on with the company NIS. We have an int»»»

tanjug.rs
Kuna 1h

Arab health ministers urge offering urgent basic needs to Palestine

TUNIS, Dec 19 (KUNA) -- The Council of Arab Health Ministers has called for the necessity of providing urgent basic health and relief needs, medical supplies and medicines to Palestine's Health Ministry.This came on Friday during the 63rd ordinary session of the council held in Libya's capital, Tri»»»

Al Awsat 1h

What are Shipping Companies' Plans for Return to Suez Canal?

Major shipping companies are devising strategies for a potential return to the Suez Canal after two years of disruptions due to security risks in ​the Red Sea. They have been rerouting vessels via longer, costlier routes around Africa since November 2023, following attacks on commercial ships by Ye»»»

english.aawsat.com
Novinite 1h

Sofia Launches Green Ticket Weekend to Combat Air Pollution

Sofia Municipality has announced the introduction of a Green ticket for public transport for the weekend of December 20–22, 2025, due to high pollution levels and predicted fog formation. During the same period, parking in metro buffer lots will be free for both residents and visitors of the capita»»»

novinite.com
The Peninsula 1h

Qatar welcomes US decision to lift sanctions imposed on Syria

Doha: The State of Qatar welcomed the US decision to lift sanctions imposed on the Syrian Arab Republic as part of the Cesar Act, saying its a step that supports stability and prosperity in Syria. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed, in a statement today, the State of Qatar’s hope that the li»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Sana 1h

Kuwait: Repealing the “Caesar Act” will bolster the Syrian government’s reconstruction

Kuwait , Dec. 19 (SANA) The State of Kuwait welcomed the U.S. decision to repeal the “Caesar Act,” stressing that this step will contribute to supporting Syria’s economic recovery and reconstruction efforts.Kuwait’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs reaffirmed, in a statement on Friday, the country’s sup»»»

sana.sy
The Barents Observer 1h

'We. Are. Watching,' says NATO

Ships operating for Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 shadowed the Russian spy ship Yantar and the Northern Fleet destroyer Severomorsk along the North Norwegian coast. The NATO Maritime Command has shared photos of how allied naval vessels followed the Yantar along the north Norwegian coast. Several »»»

thebarentsobserver.com
Gulf News 1h

Umm Al Quwain cemetery closure: Temporary shutdown for safety maintenance

Umm Al Quwain: The General Authority of Islamic Affairs, Endowments and Zakat has announced the temporary closure of a cemetery in Umm Al Quwain for a period of two days, effective from today. The decision has been taken in the interest of public welfare and to allow for necessary safety and mainte»»»

gulfnews.com