ACRA upgrades Kyrgyzstan's long-term credit rating to BB- - | 24.KG
The Analytical Credit Rating Agency (ACRA) has upgraded Kyrgyzstan’s long-term international credit rating to BB-. The agency announced. The rating in both foreign and national currencies has been upgraded to BB-. The decision is due to an updated methodology and changes to the institutional enviro»»»
Cabinet in Resignation to Discuss Civil Aviation Security Plan and Airport Fees
The cabinet in resignation will discuss a plan of action to respond to unlawful interference in civil aviation at its meeting, the government press service said here on Tuesday. The 25-item agenda also includes proposed changes to the ordinance on fees for the use of public airports and for air nav»»»
Oman police detain 26 over illegal border crossings in Musandam
Dubai: Police in the Musandam Governorate have detained 26 individuals in connection with two separate attempts to breach the Sultanate’s borders. According to a statement released by the Musandam Governorate Police Command on X (formerly Twitter), 22 individuals of Asian nationality were intercept»»»
Kim Jong-un Inspects Plant Producing Advanced Rocket Artillery
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un visited one of the country’s leading defense industrial enterprises, where he reviewed the production of cutting-edge multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) that are soon to enter service with the main combat units of the Korean People’s Army, KCNA reports. Kim was ac»»»
Ukraine's Escalation May Be Aimed at Prolonging Conflict as Talks Advance — Ex-Pentagon Analyst
Someone in Ukraine’s command structure is escalating “at any phase where a step towards peace is being made,” with responsibility unclear — from Zelensky and commanders to Western intelligence, Lt. Col. Karen Kwiatkowski, retired US Air Force and former analyst for the US Department of Defense, tol»»»
Trump Says He and Netanyahu Have an Understanding Regarding Syria
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel was keen to ensure a peaceful border with Syria, and US President Donald Trump said he was sure Israeli and Syrian leaders would get along. "Our interest is to have a peaceful border with Syria," Netanyahu said at a press confere»»»
Trump Warns Hamas, Iran After Netanyahu Talks
US President Donald Trump warned Iran of fresh strikes and said Hamas would have "hell to pay" if it fails to disarm in Gaza, as he presented a united front with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday. Speaking at a news conference with Netanyahu in Florida, Trump threatened to "eradic»»»
Dubai gold drops Dh21 from its record high last week after sharp year-end rally
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai have retreated sharply from last week’s record highs, as profit-taking set in after a powerful year-end rally that pushed prices into uncharted territory. By 8.45 am on Tuesday, 24-karat gold was priced at Dh525 per gram, down Dh21.25 from its all-time high of Dh546.25 r»»»
What happened at Delhi airport that led to an Air India Express pilot’s arrest
Dubai: An Air India Express pilot has been arrested and released on bail following an alleged physical assault on a passenger at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, police confirmed on Tuesday. The arrest of Captain Virendra Sejwal follows an investigation into an incident at Terminal 1 on»»»
Saudi Arabia Strikes Al Mukalla Port in Eastern Yemen - Reports
DOHA (Sputnik) - The Saudi-led coalition carried out airstrikes against the port of Al Mukalla in eastern Yemen, targeting military supplies delivered from the United Arab Emirates to separatists from the Southern Transitional Council, Saudi news agency SPA reported on Tuesday, citing the coalition»»»
Checkpoints on border with China to be closed on January 1, 2026 - | 24.KG
The Information and Communications Department of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) Border Service announces that, due to the New Year’s celebrations, Torugart-Avtodorozhny and Irkeshtam-Avtodorozhny checkpoints, located on the Kyrgyz-Chinese section of the state border, will be close»»»
A world transformed: geopolitics in the first quarter of the 21st century
The first quarter of the 21st century is coming to an end, and global politics looks quite different to how it did when crowds gathered across the globe to welcome in the new millennium. For many, especially in the West, the year 2000 marked a high point in liberal-democratic optimism before it was»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
UK government orders review after ministers "unaware" of Alaa Abd El Fattah's historical tweets
British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper has ordered an urgent review of information failures after discovering Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and herself were unaware of historical tweets by Egyptian-British activist Alaa Abd El Fattah when making public statements»»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
Hyundai says can't buy back Russian plant as buyback deadline looms
South Korean automaker Hyundai Motor Group, in the current situation, cannot" exercise its right to buy back its former St Petersburg plant due to the Ukraine conflict, with the buyback option expiring in January, US-based Reuters and Russian Tass reported on December 29. »»»
Trump all but dismisses Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments. Speaking t»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Trump all but dismisses Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments. Speaking t»»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
Trump all but dismisses Chinese military drills around Taiwan
Donald Trump has sought to play down a fresh round of Chinese military exercises around Taiwan, saying President Xi Jinping had not raised the issue with him and insisting he was unconcerned by the developments. Speaking t»»»
Beijing turns up the heat around Taiwan – locals barely notice
China has launched large-scale military drills encircling Taiwan, sharpening pressure on the self-ruled island and sending what some are reporting as a clear warning to those in Beijing’s sights as advocates of separation. »»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
Trump says US "hit docks" in Venezuela
US President Donald Trump confirmed American forces destroyed a docking area for alleged Venezuelan drug boats in what could represent the first land strike of the military campaign against Latin American trafficking, Trump stated on December 29. »»»
TEHRAN BLOG: Iran rattled on second day of protests as tear gas flies, central bank chief exits
Riot police deployed tear gas near Tehran's Aladdin mobile phone complex on December 29 as protests by traders and shopkeepers stretched into a second day, spreading across central districts whilst the rial continued its precipitous slide and the government confirmed Central Bank Gov»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Trump threatens fresh Iran strikes as Netanyahu pushes for action on missile programme
US President Donald Trump threatened to launch another attack on Iran if Tehran attempts to rebuild its ballistic missile programme, warning he would act "immediately" against nuclear development during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29, a pool video recording »»»
Iran warns aggression "beyond imagination" after Trump threats
Senior Iranian intelligence and security official Ali Shamkhani warned that any aggression against Iran will face an immediate and hard response "beyond the imagination of its designers" following US President Donald Trump's threats to strike Tehran's missile programme, Shamkhani stated on social m»»»
Syria strips two zeros off currency as citizens face 90-day deadline to swap old pounds
Syria's Central Bank announced regulations for citizens exchanging old Syrian pound banknotes for new denominated currency through 66 companies and 1,000 designated outlets beginning January 1, 2026, Baghdad's Al-Eqtisad News reported on December 29. »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Iran warns aggression "beyond imagination" after Trump threats
Senior Iranian intelligence and security official Ali Shamkhani warned that any aggression against Iran will face an immediate and hard response "beyond the imagination of its designers" following US President Donald Trump's threats to strike Tehran's missile programme, Shamkhani stated on social m»»»
Trump threatens fresh Iran strikes as Netanyahu pushes for action on missile programme
US President Donald Trump threatened to launch another attack on Iran if Tehran attempts to rebuild its ballistic missile programme, warning he would act "immediately" against nuclear development during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29, a pool video recording »»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»
Trump threatens fresh Iran strikes as Netanyahu pushes for action on missile programme
US President Donald Trump threatened to launch another attack on Iran if Tehran attempts to rebuild its ballistic missile programme, warning he would act "immediately" against nuclear development during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on December 29, a pool video recording »»»
Russia launches direct flights to Oman's Salalah as tourism demand surges
Oman's Salalah resort received its first direct flight from Russia on December 29 as Oman Air flight WY 2184 landed from Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport, marking the beginning of a programme operated by Russian tour operator FUN&SUN running through to May 9, 2026. »»»
Iraq launches 2026-2028 securities strategy to become regional financial hub
Iraqi Securities Commission Chairman Faisal al-Haimas announced the imminent launch of the commission's 2026-2028 strategy aimed at transforming Iraq's stock market into a leading regional financial centre, Shafaq News reported on December 29. »»»
Iran warns aggression "beyond imagination" after Trump threats
Senior Iranian intelligence and security official Ali Shamkhani warned that any aggression against Iran will face an immediate and hard response "beyond the imagination of its designers" following US President Donald Trump's threats to strike Tehran's missile programme, Shamkhani stated on social m»»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
Russia completes 135,000 autumn conscription as Putin sets 261,000 target for 2026
Russia has said it has concluded its autumn 2025 military draft, calling up 135,000 conscripts for service, whilst President Vladimir Putin signed a decree creating a new target of 261,000 conscripts for 2026, the Defence Ministry and TASS reported on December 29. »»»
Zelenskiy dismisses Putin residence attack claims as lies, warns of strikes on Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's statements about an alleged drone attack on Vladimir Putin's Valdai residence as lies intended to justify strikes on Ukrainian government buildings, Ukrinform reported on December 29. »»»
Zelenskiy dismisses Putin residence attack claims as lies, warns of strikes on Kyiv
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's statements about an alleged drone attack on Vladimir Putin's Valdai residence as lies intended to justify strikes on Ukrainian government buildings, Ukrinform reported on December 29. »»»
St Petersburg residents freeze as power station fire knocks out heating to thousands
At least five districts of St Petersburg partially lost heating following an accident at the Avtovskaya thermal power station, the city's Energy Committee press service stated on December 29, RBC St Petersburg reported. Th»»»
UN report reveals Taliban security weakness on Afghan border with Tajikistan
Afghanistan’s Taliban regime has carried out deep cuts to the country’s security forces – a United Nations monitoring report that reveals the move is of particular concern given that at least five Chinese workers were recently killed by assailants said to have crossed into Tajikistan from Afghan bo»»»
BRICS nations control 50% of global gold output in shift away from US dollar
BRICS nations and strategically allied states collectively hold approximately 50% of global gold production despite official reserves representing around 20% of the global total, as the bloc accelerates its shift from US dollar reliance, Mint reported on December 28. »»»