Bulgaria’s President Launches Consultations on Monday as Search for New Cabinet Begins
President Rumen Radev will start the constitutionally required consultations for forming a new government in Bulgaria on Monday, December 15. The announcement came from the presidency’s press office on Friday afternoon, only hours after lawmakers unanimously accepted the resignation of Rosen Zhelya»»»
US Plan Sees Ukraine Joining EU in 2027, Official Says
Ukraine could join the European Union as early as January 2027 under the latest US plan to end the war with Russia, a senior source familiar with the matter told AFP on Friday. The complicated EU accession process usually takes years and requires a unanimous vote from all 27 members of the bloc, an»»»
In Ceuta, young migrants brave the sea to reach Europe
On the front line of the migration surge, Ceuta – the Spanish exclave in North Africa – continues to see thousands of people arrive each year. With the land border so heavily guarded to be virtually sealed, many of the youngest attempt the crossing by sea, venturing into the dangerous cur»»»
Gaza Civil Defense Says 13 Dead as Heavy Rains Batter Territory
Gaza's civil defense agency on Friday said at least 13 people had died in the last 24 hours, including three children who died from exposure to the cold, as a winter storm batters the territory. Heavy rain from Storm Byron has flooded tents and temporary shelters across the Gaza Strip since late We»»»
Covid vaccines linked to heart damage – study
Certain Covid-19 vaccines can trigger immune responses that may inflame heart tissue and lead to potentially fatal complications in rare cases, with young men being especially susceptible, according to a new study. The paper, authored by Stanford University researchers and published in the Science »»»
CC Reinstates Belinda Balluku as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure
The Constitutional Court has reinstated Belinda Balluku to her duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, overturning the suspension previously imposed by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO). The decision follows the Court’s acceptance fo»»»
Government Dismisses Deputy Minister of Interior Julian Hodaj
The Council of Ministers has officially dismissed Julian Hodaj from his position as Deputy Minister of Interior. The decision was taken during today’s government meeting, bringing an end to his tenure that began on October 9, 2017. Hodaj becomes the second deputy minister to be removed from office »»»
Abu Dhabi announces partial road closures this weekend
Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced partial road closure between Sat, Dec 13, and Mon, Dec 15, on Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10). Karishma H. NandkeolyarAssistant Online EditorKarishma Nandkeolyar is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist with a lifelong love for storytelling — she wrote her f»»»
Dubai Fitness Challenge closes with record-breaking participation
During November, Dubai’s approach to public fitness witnessed substantial momentum, as the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) counted more than 3 million residents and tourists among its participants. Conceived by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Depu»»»
EIPICO Achieves a Double Milestone
EIPICO announced a significant dual achievement regarding Obtains (EDA License for EIPICO 3 Factory) and the launch of its new biosimilar product (ADALIMAB), The event was chaired by both of Prof. Dr. Samir El-Badawi, Professor of Rheumatology at Cairo University and President of the Egyptian Socie»»»
Thai PM dissolves parliament, fresh elections scheduled for early 2026 - UPI.com
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addresses journalists outside Government House in Bangkok on Friday after dissolving the House of Representatives, the country's parliament. Photo courtesy Royal Thai Government/EPA Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament»»»
Experts : Microbes in the air on planes and in hospitals are harmless - UPI.com
The ambient air on planes and in hospitals mostly contains harmless microbes typically associated with human skin, researchers reported. File Photo by Luong Thai Linh/EPA Germophobes can breathe a little easier when visiting a hospital or taking an airplane trip, a new study says. The ambient air o»»»
A second Conservative MP crosses the floor to Canada's Liberals
A Conservative member of parliament said he will be crossing the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals, putting his government just one seat shy of a majority and delivering another blow to the opposition party. Michael Ma, an MP from Ontario, announced his decision to join the Libera»»»
Oracle Founder Loses Nearly $25Bln in One Day, Drops to Third in World's Rich List – BBI
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - Larry Ellison, co-founder of US database giant Oracle, lost $24.9 billion in a single day after the company's shares fell nearly 11%, moving him from second to third place among the world's richest people, the Bloomberg Billionaires Index (BBI) showed on Friday. On Thursday, »»»
Zelensky’s Plea to US Shows Struggle to Survive Amid Russian Advances – Expert
“It’s perfectly normal for this colonial Ukrainian administration to turn to its masters in Washington, London or Brussels,” Ukrainian politics expert Alexander Dudchak told Sputnik after Volodymyr Zelensky asked the US to help secure the country in a future election. “Everyone understands that Tru»»»
Judge: Kilmar Abrego Garcia can't be rearrested during ICE check-in - UPI.com
Kilmar Abrego Garcia delivers remarks during a rally before his check-in at the ICE Baltimore Field Office on August 25. A federal judge said Friday that he can't be re-arrested at a similar check-in Friday. File Photo by Shawn Thew/EPA Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Maryland ruled Friday that»»»
UK slaps sanctions on Sudan RSF paramilitary deputy, other commanders
London: The UK Friday imposed sanctions on senior commanders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) suspected of "heinous violence" in the Darfur hub of El-Fasher, which the paramilitary group captured in October. The Foreign Office in London said those targeted include RSF second-in-command Abdelra»»»
RSF commander linked by BBC Verify to Sudan massacre sanctioned in UK
A Sudanese paramilitary commander, whose role in the el-Fasher massacre was revealed by BBC Verify, has been sanctioned by the UK government. Brig Gen Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, also known as Abu Lulu, was filmed shooting dead at least 10 unarmed captives after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized t»»»
Foreign investments increased by USD 10 billion after floating the Egyptian pound
The economic affairs committee at Egypt’s House of Representatives has released recently a statement following a closed meeting, attended by the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Tarek Amer to discuss the monetary policies and the evolution of the foreign reserves from 2010 to 2016. Tarek»»»
Brnabic: 2025 was year of turmoil for parliament but will end with good debate
NIS - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Friday 2025 had been a year of turmoil for the parliament but would end in the best possible way - with a good, constructive debate involving the ruling coalition, the opposition and civil society. "We have normal work of the Serbian parliament, »»»
Trump's new security strategy: A chance for Africa? – DW – 12/11/2025
PoliticsAfricaTrump's new security strategy: A chance for Africa?Martina SchwikowskiUS President Donald Trump's new foreign policy focuses less on aid and more on trade with African countries, specifically on raw materials. Could this be a wake-up call for Africa to become more economically indepen»»»
Nowhere to pray as logs choke flood-hit Indonesian mosque
Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia: Almost two weeks on from devastating floods, Muslim worshippers in Indonesia's Sumatra who gathered at their local mosque on Friday for prayers were blocked from entering by a huge pile of thousands of uprooted trees. The deadly torrential rains had inundated vast tracts of»»»
Kerala actress assault case verdict: Bhavana didn't just survive, she broke the pattern of remaining silent and shamed
Dubai: After eight long years, the verdict in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case has finally arrived. Six men have been sentenced to 20 years. But before we discuss the courts, the lawyers, or the loopholes, we must acknowledge the woman who made this moment possible. Bhavana. It is her courage —»»»
UAE tightens law on sexual offences, prostitution
The UAE government on Friday announced a new federal decree-law that tightens penalties for sexual offenders involving minors, and prostitution. The amendments also enhance the judiciary’s ability to assess the criminal risk of offenders convicted in certain serious crimes, allowing authorities to »»»
Russia hits back at Europe's big plan to loan Moscow's frozen cash to Ukraine
Ukraine is running out of cash to keep its military and its economy going, after almost four years of Russia's full-scale war. For Europe, the solution to plugging Kyiv's budget hole of €135.7bn (£119bn; $159bn) for the next two years lies in frozen Russian assets sitting in Belgian bank Euroclear »»»
Hell unleashed at Hungarian psychiatric clinic: Patient seriously injured in brutal attack
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Italy's national strike called by main union disrupts transport and school services
A national strike called on Friday by Italy's largest trade union in protest against the government's budget plans widely disrupted transportation, health and school services across the country. The protest, which targets the 2026 budget bill proposed by the conservative government of Premier Giorg»»»
Over 92% of Bulgarian Households Now Connected to the Internet
In 2025, Bulgaria is set to record another increase in the number of households connected to the internet. Fresh figures from the National Statistical Institute show that 92.8% of households have home access, with connectivity almost universal in urban areas at 94.9%. In rural settlements, the shar»»»
Parliament Holds Nearly Two-Hour Debate on Zhelyazkov Cabinet's Resignation
MPs spent nearly two hours debating the draft resolution to accept the resignation of Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and his Cabinet on Friday. The resignation was accepted unanimously, with all 227 MPs voting in favor. The debate centered on who should bear responsibility for next year’s budget. »»»
Former Iraqi president Salih appointed new UN refugee agency chief: UN source
Geneva: Former Iraqi president Barham Salih will become the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees from January, a UN source told AFP on Friday. Salih was president of Iraq from 2018 to 2022. He takes over as the UN refugees chief from Filippo Grandi, who is leaving at the end of Decemb»»»
UK's King Charles to give personal TV message about cancer 'journey'
London: Britain's King Charles III, who has broken royal taboos to speak openly about battling cancer, will appear Friday in a "personal message" filmed for a TV campaign raising funds for research into the devastating disease. Charles, 77, announced in February 2024 that he had been diagnosed with»»»
This holiday season isn't very merry for US consumers
This holiday season isn't quite so merry for American shoppers as large shares are dipping into savings, scouring for bargains and feeling like the overall economy is stuck in a rut under President Donald Trump, a new AP-NORC poll finds. The vast majority of U.S. adults say they've noticed higher t»»»
Zelensky says White House has proposed economic buffer zone in Donetsk - UPI.com
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (C) said he and his foreign policy team held a "a constructive and in-depth discussion" on security guarantees with senior U.S. officials on Thursday, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff»»»
Trump says he will pardon jailed elections clerk, but state officials say he cannot
US President Donald Trump said he has pardoned former Colorado elections clerk Tina Peters, who is serving a nine-year sentence for allowing unauthorised access to voting machines during the 2020 presidential election. Peters was convicted last year on seven state charges, including three counts of»»»
Unlocking extra muros land investments: The legal limits of payment in lieu of price and why compliance matters | Ijdelea & Associates analysis
Investors and project developers increasingly look to Romania to secure large land plots for renewable energy projects, storage facilities, logistics parks and manufacturing/production facilities. Yet, land acquisition in extra muros areas, particularly agricultural land, is governed by a unique le»»»
BR Shetty case: New ruling from Abu Dhabi court opens door to bank dealings
Abu Dhabi: NMC Healthcare and its administrators have won a major court ruling in Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) that will let them see Bank of Baroda’s internal reports on suspected suspicious transactions in their case against NMC founder B.R. Shetty, Gulf News can reveal. Sign up for our daily b»»»
Eurovision winner hands back trophy over Israel participation
Swiss singer Nemo announced on Thursday that he is returning his 2024 Eurovision Song Contest trophy in protest over Israel’s continued participation in the competition. Nemo, who won last year’s contest with the song ‘The Code’, said on Thursday that the trophy “no longer belongs on my shelf.” “Eu»»»
Aldabaiba defends subsidies, grants, overspending, over-employment – will support housing but not corruption
Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba participated yesterday, in the Government Communication Forum as part of the Tripoli Media Days events, in a move, the Tripoli government says, aims at further strengthening communication between the government and citizens and developing c»»»
Former Iraqi president Salih appointed new UNHCR chief
Geneva: Former Iraqi president Barham Salih will become the next United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, a UN source told AFP on Friday, taking over an agency tackling swingeing budget cuts. Salih was president of Iraq from 2018 to 2022. He will take over as UN refugees chief next month from»»»
Disguises, freezing waves, and a plane: Inside the operation to sneak Nobel winner Machado out of Venezuela
The rescue operation to get Venezuelan opposition leader and Nobel laureate María Corina Machado out of Venezuela involved disguises, two boats through choppy seas and a flight, the man who says he led it told the BBC. Dubbed Operation Golden Dynamite, the dangerous journey was cold, wet and long -»»»
Vucic: Serbian Armed Forces not same as they were ten years ago
NIS - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday in Nis the Serbian Armed Forces were not the same as they were ten years ago, especially when it comes to arms and equipment. "Only the emblems are the same, and the rest is not comparable, either when it comes to personnel or equipment. At th»»»
One of Hungary's most beautiful Christmas charity stages vandalised: police searching for these young perpetrators
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Sri Lanka: Cyclone aftermath disrupts economic recovery – DW – 12/12/2025
BusinessSri LankaSri Lanka: Cyclone aftermath disrupts economic recovery Murali KrishnanCyclone Ditwah has devastated critical infrastructure and disrupted key sectors, threatening Sri Lanka's already fragile economic recovery program. https://p.dw.com/p/55EnnThe UN estimates over 16,000 kilometers»»»
Iraqi ex-president on track to lead UN refugee agency
Former Iraqi President Barham Salih is on track to become the next head of the U.N. refugee agency, according to a letter from U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres shared with The Associated Press on Friday. Salih, 65, is set to succeed longtime UNHCR veteran Filippo Grandi as the U.N. High Comm»»»
Farmers clash with police as dozens of cows culled in France due to skin disease
Police used tear gas to disperse protesting farmers on Friday as veterinarians moved in to cull over 200 cows infected with nodular dermatitis, or lumpy skin disease, at a farm in southern France. The deadly outbreak, which cannot be passed to humans, has sparked fears among locals and highlighted »»»
Lululemon boss to step down early next year
The boss of Lululemon Athletica, the brand known for its expensive yoga leggings and other sports clothing, is to leave the company early next year. Calvin McDonald, the firm's chief executive, will depart at the end of January after more than seven years at the helm. The decision comes amid a run »»»
Holidays, fees, online classes: Parents split as UAE schools prepare for early Friday closures
Parents are divided over how schools should adapt to the nationwide shift of Friday prayer time to 12:45 pm starting January 2026 – a change that could push school pick-ups even earlier than the current 12 pm dismissal. As education regulators gather feedback before issuing final guidelines, scores»»»
Media Review: December 12
HEADLINES Friday’s print media focus heavily on the political crisis in the country, following the resignation of the government on Thursday, possible early elections, and decisions linked to the adoption of the euro and the 2026 State Budget. 24 Chasa leads with several political front-page headli»»»
Swiss Eurovision winner Nemo returns trophy to protest Israel’s participation
Swiss Eurovision 2024 winner Nemo announced Thursday they are returning their trophy in protest over Israel’s continued participation in next year’s contest amid the Gaza war. The singer said the decision contradicts Eurovision’s values of inclusion and dignity, as several countries pull out amid g»»»
Crypto mogul Do Kwon sentenced to 15 years over $40 billion stablecoin crash
US prosecutors on Thursday sentenced cryptocurrency entrepreneur Do Kwon to 15 years in prison over fraud tied to the collapse of his company, which erased about $40 billion in investor funds and rattled global crypto markets. Kwon pleaded guilty in New York after an international manhunt and still»»»