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»»»

Zelensky needs the proxy war in Ukraine to continue because “peace will bring to light all his highly detrimental decisions and rampant corruption,” writes Tuomas Malinen, a professor at the University of Helsinki, in an article on Substack. Volodymyr Zelensky knows full well he is doomed once the »»»

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»»»

Vehicle traffic has been suspended on Mount Parnitha Avenue, near the casino, due to ongoing snowfall. Snow has been blanketing the mountainous regions of central Evia since the morning, as well as the summit of Mount Parnitha in Attica. Snowfall has also been reported in Ippokrateios Politeia. Acc»»»

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»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent a cable of congratulations to HE President of the Transitional Presidential Council in the Republic of Haiti Laurent Saint-Cyr, on the occasion of his country’s Independence Day»»»

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, »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent a cable of congratulations to the President of the Republic of Cuba, HE Miguel Diaz-Canel on the occasion of the Triumph of the Revolution Day.»»»

Madrid: Real Madrid yesterday said that Kylian Mbappe (pictured) had suffered a knee sprain, delivering a blow to their bid to reel in Liga leaders Barcelona. “After the tests carried out today on our player Kylian Mbappe by Real Madrid’s medical services, he was diagnosed with a sprain in his left»»»

A member of Iran's security forces was killed during protests that have swept across the country since last week, state television reported on Thursday citing a regional official, marking the first fatality among security forces during the protests. "A 21-year-old member of the Basij from the city »»»

Finnish authorities seized a vessel on Wednesday, suspected of sabotaging an undersea telecommunications cable in the Baltic Sea.  Finnish police seized on Wednesday a ship sailing from Russia suspected of sabotaging an undersea telecoms cable running from Helsinki to Estonia across the Gulf o»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) has officially announced its comprehensive calendar of sports events and competitions for 2026. The calendar features 83 championships, including 39 international events, 16 world championships, 10 Asian tournaments, three GCC competitions, one Arab ch»»»

Casablanca: Sudan must face 2022 champions Senegal in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 2-0 to Burkina Faso in their final group game yesterday, while Algeria beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 at the same time. Lassina Traore’s early strike put Burkina Faso ahead at the Mohammed V Stad»»»

Doha, Qatar: The prestigious H H the Father Amir Equestrian Prix 2026 will open the 2026 Doha Equestrian Tour, featuring wide international participation and a total prize pool exceeding €3.3m. The Organizing Committee of the 2026 Doha Equestrian Tour has announced its readiness for the inaugural H»»»

The second-highest annual number of migrants arrived on UK shores in small boats since records were started in 2018, the government was to confirm Thursday. The tally comes as Brexit firebrand Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party Reform UK surges in popularity ahead of bellwether local elections i»»»

Three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the Kherson Region, with preliminary data showing 24 people killed and over 50 injured, Governor Vladimir Saldo said on Thursday. "Tonight, the enemy carried out a targeted drone strike on a place where civilians were celebrating New Year. Three drones hit a »»»

Dubai: The United Nations begins 2026 with a regular budget of $3.45 billion as the Organisation confronts strained finances and prepares to shrink its workforce by 19 per cent. The General Assembly approved the spending plan after weeks of negotiations, signing off on an amount that slightly excee»»»

Doha, Qatar: Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanem together with Ministry’s Undersecretary Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Thani and a number of Ministry officials held a meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters with the supervisors of the smart fatwa platform Fatwa»»»

Paris, France: France will make a fresh attempt to protect children from excessive screen time, proposing a ban on social media access for children under 15 by next September, according to a draft law seen by AFP. The initiative is backed by President Emmanuel Macron, who said earlier this month th»»»

Doha, Qatar: Sheikh Talal Nasser Al-Thani-owned Jalila Alghania, ridden by Gavin Matt Ryan, delivered a commanding performance to secure the End Of Year Cup at Al Uqda Racecourse yesterday. The four-year-old filly remained steady throughout the 1300m Local Purebred Arabian Graduation feature before»»»

From Sydney to Paris to New York City, crowds rang in the new year with exuberant celebrations filled with thunderous fireworks or light shows, while others took a more subdued approach. As the clock struck midnight in Japan, temple bells rang and some climbed mountains to see the year’s first sunr»»»

Dubai: An Emirates Airbus A380 flying from London to Dubai made a precautionary return to Heathrow shortly after take-off on New Year’s Eve due to a technical issue, the airline confirmed. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Emirates flight EK002, operating from London Hea»»»

Sydney, Australia: New Year’s Eve revellers toasted the end of 2025 yesterday, waving goodbye to 12 months packed with Trump tariffs, a Gaza truce and vain hopes for peace in Ukraine. It was one of the warmest years on record, the stifling heat stoking wildfires in Europe, droughts in Africa and de»»»

As of January 1, 2026, the minimum monthly wage will be EUR 620.20 (BGN 1,213). This is a 12.6% increase compared with last year, when it was BGN 1,077. The increase was set by a decree of the Council of Ministers. The minimum hourly wage will reach EUR 3.74 (BGN 7.31), according to the same govern»»»

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The US military said on Wednesday that it had carried out strikes on three alleged drug-smuggling boats in international waters, killing three people. The latest operation is part of a wider campaign that has drawn criticism from legal experts and rights groups. The US military announced on Wednesd»»»

North Korea’s leader has sent a congratulatory message to officers and soldiers of overseas operations units on the occasion of the New Year, per KCNA. Kim Jong-un commended North Korea’s “proud sons, fighting bravely on the battlefields in the alien lands.” He expressed the certainty that the year»»»

Doha, Qatar: As the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 concluded, Vodafone Qatar successfully delivered on its role as the Official Technology Sponsor, supporting the tournament with connectivity solutions that enabled seamless fan experiences and smooth tournament operations. Vodafone Qatar’s advanced netwo»»»

Geneva: Several people have been killed and others injured when an explosion ripped through a bar in 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 southwes»»»

Lagos, Nigeria: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, state officials said Wednesday, after surviving a car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends. Joshua was travelling on Monday with friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele on a b»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai softened on January 1, easing from last week’s record highs as global markets closed out a volatile but historic year for precious metals. As of Thursday morning 9:15 am, 24-karat gold was priced at Dh520.25 per gram, while 22-karat stood at Dh481.75, offering some relie»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Fund For Development (QFFD) provided over $667m in aid through 2025 for more than 45 countries, culminating in a year abounding with forged partnerships and achieving a concrete breakthrough in lending impetus to the agenda of development and humanitarian work on the global stage»»»

Lagos: Former world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua has been discharged from hospital, state officials said Wednesday, after surviving a car accident in Nigeria that killed two of his close friends. Joshua was travelling on Monday with friends Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele on a busy highw»»»

Former US National Security Advisor Michael Flynn told RIA Novosti that he considers Washington's peace plan for resolving the conflict in Ukraine as a "good." “I do believe that there is a good peace plan on the table,” Flynn said in the interview. At the same time, according to Flynn, the situati»»»

Doha: The 17th edition of the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) will commence today, January 1, 2026. Held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival will take place at the Marmi Sabkha in Sealine and will continue until January 24, 2026. T»»»

New York: Zohran Mamdani, the young upstart of the US left, was sworn in early Thursday to take over as New York mayor for a four-year term sure to see him cross swords with President Donald Trump. Also In This Package From 1-BHK to $100m mansion: Mamdani explains decision 'Mamdani is Indian': Mehd»»»

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is "90% ready", in a New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion. Zelensky said the remaining 10% of the agreement to end nearly four years of conflict would "determi»»»