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»»»
Khaleda Zia, former Bangladeshi prime minister and archrival of Hasina, dies at 80
Dhaka, Bangladesh: Former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, whose archrivalry with another former premier defined the country’s politics for a generation, has died, her Bangladesh Nationalist Party said in a statement Tuesday. She was 80. Zia was the first woman elected prime minister of Bang»»»
Naan: How the 'world's best bread' travelled from Islamic courts to our plates
A pillowy-soft naan - a leavened flatbread popular in South Asia - paired with rich, creamy butter chicken gravy is one of the most popular comfort foods in the region, and it's also one of the most popular Indian dishes abroad. And while the tangy, aromatic gravy is often considered the show steal»»»
Trump administration awards $50B for rural healthcare - UPI.com
Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services on Monday announced the agency will distribute $50 billion over the next five years to all 50 U.S. states to improve rural healthcare. File Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo Dec. 29 (»»»
‘Rush Rush’ platform kicks off operations with partnership model supporting restaurants and merchants
Tribune News Network Doha In a move to reshape the digital delivery landscape in Qatar, the Qatari platform Rush Rush has officially launched operations with an innovative vision built on the principle of fair partnership, introducing a unique business model that balances service efficiency with th»»»
Ukraine hit by fresh energy sector corruption probe
Ukrainian prosecutors have exposed a criminal scheme that illegally siphoned off electricity worth millions of dollars from state-owned energy giant Ukrenergo. According to a statement by the Prosecutor General’s Office on Monday, officials at a commercial enterprise signed a supply contract with n»»»
Planned burning enters Greece’s wildfire strategy
Greece is moving to legalize prescribed burning as a wildfire-prevention tool under a draft law by the Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Ministry titled “Active Fight.” Drawing on models from Spain, Italy and the United States, the bill would, for the first time, define the “programmed and contro»»»
Why More Digital Nomads Are Choosing Bulgaria as Their Crypto‑Friendly Home Base
Remote work has become part of normal working life in Britain, with analysis of official surveys showing around 36 – 41% of UK workers now doing their jobs from home at least some of the week in 2024. At the same time, the average monthly cost of living for one person in Bulgaria is estimated at 96»»»
Iraq's Parliament Elects Al-Halbousi as Its New Speaker
Iraq's parliament on Monday elected a new speaker following overnight talks to break a political deadlock. Haibet Al-Halbousi received 208 votes from the 309 legislators who attended, according to The AP news. He is a member of the Takadum, or Progress, party led by ousted speaker and relative Moha»»»
Lebanon Signs Deal to Purchase Natural Gas from Egypt
Lebanon said Monday it plans to purchase natural gas from Egypt, seeking to reduce its reliance on fuel oil for its ageing power plants in a country hamstrung by regular electricity cuts. The electricity sector has cost Lebanon more than $40 billion since the end of its 1975-1990 civil war, and suc»»»
UAE introduces landmark law to govern national school curriculum
Abu Dhabi: The UAE Government has taken a major step to strengthen its education system by issuing a Federal Decree Law on the Governance of the National Educational Curriculum. For the first time, the law provides a comprehensive framework regulating how the curriculum is designed, approved, imple»»»
UAE scientists solve the mystery of the Arabian Gulf’s record-breaking heat
Dubai: The Arabian Gulf is home to some of the hottest summer temperatures on the planet, but scientists say the reasons go far beyond intense sunshine. A new study from the Mubadala ACCESS Center at NYU Abu Dhabi has revealed why some summers in the Arabian Gulf become unusually hot, triggering ma»»»
India Supreme Court puts revised Aravalli definition on hold, considers fresh expert panel
New Delhi: The Supreme Court of India on Monday put in abeyance its earlier order accepting a revised definition of the Aravalli Hills, after mounting concerns that the move could open large swathes of the ecologically sensitive range to mining activity. A three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice »»»
Why Basant’s return matters for Punjab’s cultural spirit
The announcement by the Government of Punjab allowing the celebration of Basant in February 2026 marks the return of a festival that has long been woven into the cultural fabric of the region. For centuries, Basant was not merely an event — it was a symbol of joy, artistic expression, and communal »»»
Egypt’s SCZone Moves to Expand Manufacturing with Prefabricated Complex
Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone has signed a contract to develop a large prefabricated industrial complex in Qantara West, as the government accelerates efforts to expand manufacturing capacity and attract new investors. The EGP 1bn ($20.3mn) project will be developed by the Main Development Compa»»»
Dubai’s 10 most expensive New Year’s Eve packages and where to book them
Dubai: New Year’s Eve in Dubai has become a carefully priced market, where location, fireworks access and capacity limits determine how much guests pay to welcome the year ahead. For 2026, hotels, restaurants and experience operators across the city are offering tightly curated packages that range »»»
Bulgaria to Introduce One-Day Vignette from February 2026, Prices Set in Euros and Leva
Starting February 3, 2026, a one-day vignette will be available for passenger vehicles up to 3.5 tons, allowing access to Bulgaria’s national road network for 24 hours, the Road Infrastructure Agency (RIA) announced. The cost of the new vignette will be 4.09 euros (8 leva). For 2026, all vignettes »»»
Top Diplomats of China, Cambodia and Thailand Meet as Beijing Seeks to Strengthen Role in Dispute
Foreign ministers from Cambodia and Thailand convened with their Chinese counterpart on Monday as the Beijing government, building on its expanding presence in the world diplomatic arena, sought to play a stronger mediating role in the violent border dispute between the two Southeast Asian countrie»»»
Thrilling action marks third round of Qatar Drift Championship at QRC
Doha, Qatar: Amid a large crowd that filled the stands of the dedicated drift circuit at Qatar Racing Club (QRC), and with the participation of an elite group of drift champions from Qatar, the GCC, and the wider region, the third round of the Qatar Drift Championship came to a close. The champions»»»
Mitsubishi Montero Sport: Attractive design, high performance and durable
Doha, Qatar: The Mitsubishi Montero Sport shines with its design, performance and durability, always making it the ideal car for all road conditions and. The Montero Sport and wide range of Mitsubishi models are obtainable at Qatar Automobiles Company, the authorized general distributor of Mitsubis»»»
Carlsen seals sixth World Rapid crown in Doha, Goryachkina wins maiden title
Doha, Qatar: Norwegian maestro Magnus Carlsen underlined his dominance of elite chess by winning the 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in Doha yesterday, finishing a point clear of the field with 10.5 points from 13 rounds. At Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex, the world No. 1 cla»»»
Regional airline boom boosts Qatar’s role as global hub
Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s aviation sector is set to benefit from a strong regional airline boom, as Middle East carriers are projected to lead global profitability in 2026, reinforcing Doha’s position as a major international aviation hub. Driven by rising passenger demand, expanding route networks and »»»
Qatar advances AI leadership through key digital milestones
Doha, Qatar: Qatar has been at the forefront of digital transformation over the past decade, enhancing its economy and services through significant investments in technology infrastructure and various initiatives that foster the adoption of digital technologies. In 2025, key milestones advanced Qat»»»
Fresh corruption scandal erupts in Kyiv, as NABU targets Zelenskiy's MPs and friends in vote-selling corruption
A fresh major corruption scandal has erupted in Kyiv, putting more pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, just as he arrives in Mar-a-Lago for crucial peace deal negotiations with US President Donald Trump on December 28. »»»
Fresh corruption scandal erupts in Kyiv, as NABU targets Zelenskiy's MPs and friends in vote-selling corruption
A fresh major corruption scandal has erupted in Kyiv, putting more pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, just as he arrives in Mar-a-Lago for crucial peace deal negotiations with US President Donald Trump on December 28. »»»
Trump urges release of Epstein files to ‘embarrass’ Democrats
US President Donald Trump has urged the Justice Department (DOJ) to make documents linked to Jeffrey Epstein public, calling for the disclosure of the names of Democrats he claims were connected to the late financier. Last week, the department uploaded thousands of documents under the Epstein Files»»»
Carlsen, Goryachkina clinch Qatar 2025 FIDE World Rapid Championship titles
Tribune News Network Doha On a dramatic day of twists and turns, Grandmaster Magnus Carlsen captured his sixth world rapid championship title on Sunday winning the Qatar 2025 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship a full point ahead of the field with 10.5/13 . It’s the Norwegian’s 19th world champions»»»
Trump says Zelensky and Putin 'serious' in war talks sprint
US President Donald Trump said Sunday he believed the leaders of Ukraine and Russia were serious about peace as he spoke with them both in what he called the final stages of his efforts to end the war. Trump, who had promised to finish the war on day one of his presidency, said he had no deadline b»»»
MOI issues safety advisory on child seats in vehicles
Doha: The Ministry of Interior (MOI) Qatar shared a safety advisory on social media on child seats in vehicles, emphasising the importance of not allowing children below the age of 10 to sit in the front seat of vehicles. In a post on X, the ministry noted that ensuring children under 10 do not occ»»»
New York Subway Ends its MetroCard Era and Switches Fully to Tap-and-go Fares
When the MetroCard replaced the New York City subway token in 1994, the swipeable plastic card infused much-needed modernity into one of the world’s oldest and largest transit systems. Now, more than three decades later, the gold-hued fare card and its notoriously finicky magnetic strip are followi»»»
This Gulf country sets fuel prices for first quarter of 2026
Dubai: Kuwait will maintain fixed fuel prices through the first quarter of 2026, with premium petrol priced at 85 fils per litre, regular petrol at 105 fils, and diesel and kerosene each set at 115 fils, according to a senior oil source cited by Al Anba. The source said the state committee tasked w»»»
How Families in Bulgaria Can Help Children Understand the Switch to the Euro
Playing “shop” at home is among the most effective ways for parents to help young children understand the currency change Bulgaria will make on January 1, 2026. Setting up a small store using euros allows children to become familiar with the new coins and banknotes and to practise simple calculatio»»»
Dubai Airport’s busiest travel day is December 28 - How not to miss your flight
Dubai: Dubai International Airport (DXB) is gearing up for its busiest travel day of the festive season, with December 28 forecast to be the peak, as passenger numbers surge past 300,000 travellers a day during the final stretch of the year. Dubai Airports said traffic begins to build in the first »»»
Syria announces new currency framework, two-zero redenomination
Damascus, Dec. 28 (SANA) Syria’s central bank on Sunday announced the executive instructions for introducing a new Syrian currency, launching a monetary reform that includes removing two zeros from the pound and allowing a 90-day period of dual circulation. The announcement was made during a press »»»
Brazil’s ex-president Bolsonaro treated for hiccups
Brasmlia: Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro underwent a medical procedure Saturday to treat recurrent hiccups he has been dealing with for months, according to his medical team. The 70-year-old ex-president, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup, had been released f»»»
Zelensky looks to close out Ukraine peace deal at Trump meet
Palm Beach: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sit down Sunday with Donald Trump and seek to secure the US president’s stamp of approval for a new proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. The 20-point plan, which emerged from weeks of intense US-Ukraine negotiations, lack»»»
Sharjah Airport prepares for holiday surge with advanced check-in and new lounge
Dubai: Sharjah Airport has announced comprehensive preparations to accommodate the expected influx of passengers during the winter holiday season, rolling out enhanced operational measures to ensure seamless travel experiences. The airport is urging travellers to arrive at least three hours before »»»
On This Day, Dec. 28: Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501 crashes, killing 162 - UPI.com
On Dec. 28, 2014, Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crashed into the Java Sea, killing 155 passengers and seven crew. 1 of 5 | On December 28, 2014, Indonesia AirAsia Flight QZ8501 crashed into the Java Sea, killing 155 passengers and seven crew. File Photo by Ahmad Yusni/EPA Dec. 28 (UPI) -- On this»»»
Abu Dhabi sets 42 violations for private schools with fines up to Dh150,000
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced a detailed framework of administrative violations and financial penalties governing private schools and partnership schools, outlining 42 types of offences related to school policies, with fines starting at Dh5,000»»»
MoI integrates advanced tech to enhance Metrash services
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Interior (MoI) has adopted modern standards and advanced technologies in the development of the new Metrash application, marking a significant step toward enhancing digital government services and improving user experience through smart solutions, including artificial i»»»
Al Shahania shock leaders Al Gharafa in QSL
Doha, Qatar: Mohamed Bader Sayyar scored a brace as Al Shahania resumed the Qatar Stars League (QSL) in emphatic fashion, pulling off a major upset by thrashing table-toppers Al Gharafa 3-0 at Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Al Gharafa came into the match as firm favourites, aiming to extend their four-»»»
Lebanon's cabinet approves draft law on financial crisis losses
BEIRUT, Lebanon — Lebanon's government on Friday approved a draft law to distribute financial losses from the 2019 economic crisis that deprived many Lebanese of their deposits despite strong opposition from political and banking officials.The draft law is a key demand from the international commun»»»
Rich and voiceless: How Putin has kept Russia's billionaires on side in the war
During the war with Ukraine, the number of billionaires in Russia has reached an all-time high. But in the 25 years Vladimir Putin has been in power, Russia's rich and powerful - known as oligarchs - have lost almost all their political influence. All this is good news for the Russian president. We»»»
UK restricts DR Congo visas over migrant return policy
The UK is to impose visa restrictions against people arriving from the Democratic Republic of Congo after its government failed to agree to measures allowing the return of illegal migrants and foreign national offenders. Ministers say the DRC has not made changes required under the toughening up of»»»
21 mn needy people in 70 countries gained from QC initiatives in a year
Tribune News Network Doha Powered by the generosity of Qatar’s donors, Qatar Charity (QC) has reached 21 million people in 2025 through humanitarian aid, development projects, and social care across nearly 70 countries, advancing its mission to ease suffering and build resilient, dignified lives. Q»»»
Patel planning permanent closure of FBI's Hoover headquarters building - UPI.com
The J. Edgar Hoover Building will close permanently after the FBI moves its headquarters to the Ronald Reagan Building, FBI Director Kash Patel said on Friday. File Photo by Roger L. Wollenberg/UPI | License Photo Dec. 27 (UPI) -- The FBI Hoover headquarters in Washington soon will be vacant as the»»»
Russia’s CBR outlines phased cryptocurrency regulation with limits for retail investors
The Central Bank of Russia (CBR) has published a formal concept for regulating cryptocurrency within the domestic market, proposing differentiated access for retail and professional investors while reaffirming its stance that digital assets are high-risk financial instruments. »»»
UAE schools to reopen on January 5, 2026
Dubai: Students and teaching staff across the UAE will return to schools on January 5, 2026, under the Ministry of Education’s approved academic calendar for the 2025–2026 school year. According to the calendar, first-term results will be released between January 7 and 9, marking the official start»»»
Fresh UK sanctions on Syria send a message
As Syrians were celebrating the full repeal of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, the United Kingdom announced a new round of sanctions—an unmistakable reminder that Syria’s reckoning with punitive measures is far from over. By targeting not only figures linked to the former regime but also »»»
Paris lauds Lebanese govt.'s approval of financial gap bill
Lebanon's government on Friday approved a draft law to distribute financial losses from the 2019 economic crisis that deprived many Lebanese of their deposits despite strong opposition from political and banking officials. The draft law is a key demand from the international community, which has co»»»