KUWAIT, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- The fifth Gulf Cybersecurity Conference and Exhibition kicked off in Kuwait on Sunday, with representatives from all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states and the GCC Secretariat General attending. In opening remarks, Kuwait National Cybersecurity Center Head, Engine»»»

New York: The UN Security Council welcomed the efforts of the State of Qatar in mediating between the Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Congo River Alliance (M23 Movement), which led to the signing of the Doha Framework for Peace on November 15, 2025, in Doha. This came in »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Russian armed forces have struck Ukrainian defense industry facilities as well as energy, transport and storage infrastructure used by the Ukrainian armed forces, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Sunday. "Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and a»»»

At least 16 files disappeared from the Justice Department’s public webpage for documents related to Jeffrey Epstein — including a photograph showing President Donald Trump — less than a day after they were posted, with no explanation from the government and no notice to the public. The missing file»»»

Australians held a moment of silence on Sunday in tribute to the 15 Bondi Beach shooting victims, marking one week since gunmen fired into Jewish crowds on one of the nation's darkest days. A father and son are accused of targeting the family-thronged Hanukkah festival at Bondi Beach, a touris»»»

Donald Trump has claimed that he could pay himself $1 billion in US government money as damages for a raid carried out at his Mar-a-Lago estate by the FBI. Federal agents searched Trump’s property in Palm Beach, Florida in August 2022 as part of an investigation into his alleged mishandling of clas»»»

News report by Fawaz Al-Otaibi BEIRUT, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- Amid growing indications of recovery, commercial and tourism activity in Lebanon is witnessing noticeable momentum as the New Year holiday season approaches, traditionally one of the most economically active periods of the year. Preliminary in»»»

KUWAIT, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- Head of the Prime Minister's Diwan Abdulaziz Al-Dakhil extended his highest congratulations to His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on the second anniversary of assuming power. In a press statement on Sunday, he expressed deep pride in the Amir's l»»»

Doha, Qatar: The National Command Center (NCC) received the Federal Minister of the Interior of the Federal Republic of Germany, HE Alexander Dobrindt, and the accompanying delegation. HE Dobrindt was received by Brigadier Ali Mohammed Al Mohannadi, Head of the National Command Center (NCC), along »»»

Manila, Philippines: The Philippines' Department of Agriculture on Sunday said the ban on sugar importation will remain in place until December next year, extending protection for local producers amid improving supply conditions. "Based on the current outlook for sugar production and demand, a long»»»

DOHA: Msheireb Properties announced the launch of the third edition of Baraha Cinema, which will run from December25-January 3, which will include an outdoor cinema experience featuring family films, seasonal activities, and a movie-themed culinary programme. Baraha Cinema is part of Msheireb Downt»»»

Egypt has approved a $300 million tyre manufacturing plant by Prometeon Tyre Group, marking another major step in the country’s drive to localise automotive manufacturing and expand export-oriented industry. The project received formal approval in mid-December 2025 during a session of the Ministeri»»»

Total net wealth across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) exceeded $7.5 trillion in 2024, underscoring the region’s growing financial depth and asset accumulation, according to data from Boston Consulting Group. Saudi Arabia ranked as the region’s wealthiest economy, with total net wealth reaching»»»

Dubai: If you are one of those drivers who likes to cruise along in the fast lane, you might want to think twice. Authorities in Dubai have once again issued a stern reminder about a traffic rule that many motorists continue to violate, and it could cost you Dh400. The Roads and Transport Authority»»»

DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Decree No. 122 of 2025, appointing HE Khalifa bin Issa bin Abdullah Al Kubaisi as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family. The decree is effective starting from its date of issue and is »»»

DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Amiri Decision No. (66) of 2025, appointing HE Major General Staff Mohammed bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al Salmeen Al Suwaidi as Amiri Guard Commander. The decision is effective starting from its date of issue and »»»

Taipei, Taiwan: Taiwan police on Sunday ruled out "terrorism" in a metro stabbing in the capital Taipei, where an attacker killed three and wounded 11. A 27-year-old man, identified by police by his family name Chang, set off smoke bombs at Taipei Main Station metro on Friday afternoon before launc»»»

Dubai: A special court has sentenced former Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi to 17 years in prison in the Toshakhana-II case, which revolves around allegations that the couple retained a Saudi gift at a fraction of its value. The case concerns a Bulgari jewellery set give»»»

The Thiruvananthapuram Seventh Additional Sessions Court on Saturday granted anticipatory bail to acclaimed filmmaker and former legislator P.T. Kunju Muhammed in a sexual assault case filed by a woman from the film industry, according to local media reports. The court allowed the bail under strict»»»

Bulgaria has never abstained when it came to the freezing of Russian assets and voted in favor of their long-term freeze, outgoing Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev told Bulgarian National Television on Sunday. He was asked to clarify Bulgaria’s position after this country, along with Italy, Belgium,»»»

Russian President Vladimir Putin's top foreign policy aide said on Sunday that he was sure the chances of peace in Ukraine were not improved by changes to US proposals made by the Europeans and Ukraine, ‌Interfax news agency ‌reported. "This is ‌not ⁠a forecast," ‌Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri U»»»

With the start of the holiday season, Bulgaria is seeing the early stages of a flu wave, and the Pernik region has already recorded a particularly high incidence of 240 cases per 100,000 people, twice the national average. Speaking on Nova TV, Prof. Iva Hristova, director of the National Center for»»»

The constitutional process for forming a new government is expected to begin after January 5, when the procedure for handing out parliamentary mandates officially starts. According to the established order, the first attempt to form a cabinet will be entrusted to the largest parliamentary group, GE»»»

Brussels’ policy forces local authorities to adopt strict austerity measures, cancel holiday events, and abandon traditional lighting, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said. In the EU, including its economic heart, Germany, amid authorities' failure to save New Year and Christma»»»

The Kremlin on Sunday denied that three-way talks between Ukraine, Russia and the United States were on the cards, as diplomats gathered in Miami for talks on ending the conflict. "At present, no one has seriously discussed this initiative, and to my knowledge, it is not in preparation," Russian Pr»»»

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: Al Shahaniya camels clinched their first titles in the tenth King Abdulaziz Camel Racing Cup, whose competitions at the Al Sayahid Track on Saturday featured a record number of competitors from across the GCC states. The main first race saw fierce competition, highlighting exc»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian President Vladimir Putin's schedule does not yet include a phone call with US President Donald Trump, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. "It is not yet scheduled, but it can be arranged quickly if necessary," Peskov told reporters.When asked whether Putin planned to wi»»»

Israel's security cabinet approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the total number approved over the past three years to 69, an official statement said Sunday. "The proposal by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Defense Minister Israel Katz to declare»»»

Ahmedabad on Saturday received its first indigenously built metro train, marking a major milestone for Gujarat’s urban transport system and India’s push for domestic manufacturing. Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel launched the new metro coaches during his visit to the Titagarh Rail Systems ma»»»

Washington, United States: The United States "apprehended" an oil tanker off Venezuela on Saturday, a move Caracas deemed a "theft and kidnapping," in the latest salvo of a pressure campaign by Washington, the US government said. It was the second time in two weeks that US forces have interdicted a»»»

Dubai: Ras Al Khaimah’s Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Police, Brigadier Jamal Ahmed Al Tair, conducted field inspections of several vital areas and dams across the emirate following the recent weather conditions that brought heavy rainfall over the past two days. He was accompanied by Ali Rashid Al »»»

Israel's military said it killed two Palestinians in the north of the occupied West Bank Saturday, accusing one of throwing "a block" and the other an explosive at its soldiers. In a statement the military said that during an operation "in the area of Qabatiya, a terrorist hurled a block toward the»»»

The head of Iraq's highest judicial body said Saturday that the leaders of armed factions have agreed to cooperate on the sensitive issue of the state's monopoly on weapons. However, the powerful Kataib Hezbollah group said that it would only discuss giving up its arms when foreign troops leave the»»»

Tunis, Dec. 21 (TAP)- The weather is cloudy on Sunday in most regions with scattered showers expected in the north and the midland. Rainstorms are expected in the afternoon in east central areas and locally in Sfax, the National Institute of...»»»

In 2004, Alexandros Angelopoulos had been arrested, and convicted, for attempting to import 4.5 tons of cocaine from South America into Europe using a fishing trawler. Angelopoulos was released in 2024, after serving 20 years of a 22-year sentence. An earlier release, in 2015, made possible thanks »»»

This recipe reminds me of those vintage Looney Toons cartoons where the aroma of something cooking lifts Bugs Bunny off his feet and into midair. He blissfully floats along, surrendering to the fragrant current, until he reaches its source and devours the dish. Similarly, the wafting scent of cinna»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued today Decree No. 122 of 2025 appointing HE Khalifa bin Issa bin Abdullah Al Kubaisi as Undersecretary of the Ministry of Social Development and Family. The decision is effective starting from its date of issue, and is to be p»»»

Next week in Bulgaria, cloudy skies will dominate much of the country, with fog persisting in several regions. Rain showers are expected in the eastern half, while Southwestern Bulgaria will see mostly sunny weather, though valleys and lowlands may experience localized fog. Winds will be generally »»»

Sydney: Australians fell silent in flickering candlelight Sunday to honour the Bondi Beach shooting victims, marking one week since gunmen fired into crowds at a Jewish festival. A father and son are accused of targeting the beachside Hanukkah celebration, killing 15 people including children and H»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued today Amiri Order No. 3 of 2025 appointing HE Hazza bin Khalil bin Mansour Al Shahwani as Minister of State at the Amiri Diwan. The decision is effective starting from its date of issue, and is to be published in the official»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani issued today Amiri Decree No. 66 of 2025, appointing HE Major General Mohammed bin Sultan bin Mohammed Al Salmeen Al Suwaidi as Commander of the Amiri Guard. The decision is effective starting from its date of issue, and is to be published in»»»

Germany’s mass-circulation tabloid Bild published a sharply critical piece targeting outgoing Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, focusing on his behavior during a high-level EU summit dedicated to major geopolitical and economic decisions. In the article, Bild describes how Zhelyazkov drew »»»

Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said he is confident that provisions that Europeans and Ukrainians are trying to introduce into the draft peace plan will not bring about long-term stability. "I am more than confident that the provisions that Europeans and Ukrainians have introduced and are trying to impl»»»

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, has announced Professor Badi Baltagi as the winner of the Great Arab Minds Award 2025 in the Economics category, recognising a career that has reshaped modern economic analysis and s»»»

North Korea said on Sunday that Japan's nuclear ambitions "must be prevented at any cost", after a Tokyo official reportedly suggested the country should possess atomic weapons. Pyongyang's reaction came after the unnamed official in the prime minister's office was quoted by Kyodo News on Thursday »»»

Vladimir Putin is ready to talk with France's Emmanuel Macron over the war in Ukraine, the Russian president's spokesman said in an interview published Sunday. Putin has "expressed readiness to engage in dialogue with Macron", Dmitry Peskov told state news agency RIA Novosti. "Therefore, if there i»»»

Bulgaria has received close to 70 billion leva, or roughly 35.8 billion euro, in grant funding from the start of the transition period (1990s) up to 2024, according to an analysis by the Institute for Market Economy. The volume of grants has grown steadily over time, with more than half of all fund»»»

A senior Japanese government official recently stated that his country should possess nuclear weapons. A Japanese attempt to go nuclear must be prevented at any cost, as it would bring mankind a great disaster,” the director of the Institute for Japan Studies at the North Korean Foreign Ministry wa»»»

The Saudi capital underwent an unprecedented structural shift in its real estate market in 2025, driven by a forward-looking agenda led by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister. Far from incremental regulation, the year’s measures amounted to a deep corrective overhaul aimed a»»»

Interview by Mohammad Al-Mutairi KUWAIT, Dec 21 (KUNA) -- Director General of the Arab Planning Institute (API) Dr. Adel Al-Wugayan said that the Institute's vision for the next five years is mainly intended to bolster its position as a leading and credible know-how entity.In an interview with KUNA»»»