Oil prices rose on Monday as investors weighed the outcome of talks between the US and Ukrainian presidents on a potential ​deal to end the war in Ukraine, as well as Middle East tensions that could disrupt supply. Brent crude futures rose 67 cents, or 1.1%, to $61.31 per barrel at 0751 GMT, while »»»

China launched live-fire drills around Taiwan on Monday that it said would simulate a blockade of the self-ruled island's key ports, prompting Taipei to condemn Beijing's "military intimidation". Beijing claims Taiwan as part of its sovereign territory and has refused to rule out using military act»»»

As 2025 draws to a close, we will all reflect on the year gone by- the highs, the lows and what to hope for in 2026. For me this year was marked by finding comfort in nostalgia. I can’t say 2025 has been a bad year for me personally but there were immense moments of stress. And for most of us, what»»»

Seoul, South Korea: South Korea's former first lady was alleged by prosecutors Monday to have accepted lavish bribes totaling over $200,000, including fine art, jewellery and a handbag, as well as meddling in state affairs. Kim Keon Hee, the wife of disgraced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol, was arreste»»»

Egyptian democracy activist Alaa Abdel Fattah has apologised for several of his old tweets that have resurfaced, as calls grow for him to be deported from the UK days after he arrived following his release from an Egyptian jail. The Conservative and Reform UK leaders say the home secretary should c»»»

Dubai: A 470-kilogram unexploded World War II bomb has been safely removed from a construction site in the wider central area of Belgrade, Serbian authorities confirmed. The bomb, identified as a US-made AN-M44 aerial device, dates back to Allied air raids carried out over the city in 1944. Special»»»

The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court has ordered a mechanic to pay Dh32,139 in compensation and imposed an additional fine of Dh10,000, after ruling that a private vehicle he repaired was not roadworthy and broke down during use. The case was brought by the car’s owner, who filed a civil lawsuit agains»»»

Ras Al Khaimah: A financial dispute between former spouses has ended in a court-brokered settlement at the Ras Al Khaimah Court after ruling in favour of the woman and ordered her ex- husband to repay Dh750,000 he had taken during their marriage. The settlement was reached at the court of first ins»»»

A Dubai civil court has annulled the sale contract of a luxury vehicle and ordered the selling company to refund Dh600,000 to the buyer, after it was established that the car was internationally wanted by Interpol, rendering the subject of the contract unlawful. The ruling followed a civil lawsuit »»»

Coast guard crews on Monday recovered the body of a migrant during a search and rescue operation for four people reported missing north of the eastern Aegean island of Samos. Details about the victim’s identity were not immediately known. Authorities launched the operation after police located 26 m»»»

London: Tottenham ground out a much-needed three points for the under-fire Thomas Frank with a 1-0 win at Crystal Palace, while high-flying Sunderland were held 1-1 by Leeds yesterday. Archie Gray was Spurs’ unlikely match winner at Selhurst Park with his first senior goal as Frank’s men won for ju»»»

Karachi: Fit-again allrounder Shadab Khan returned to Pakistan’s squad for next month’s three-match Twenty20 international series in Sri Lanka, selectors said yesterday. The 27-year-old missed a large part of Pakistan’s cricket with a shoulder injury since June but regained full fitness after surge»»»

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»»»

Rabat: African player of the year Achraf Hakimi will make his first appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations when hosts Morocco play Zambia on Monday, coach Walid Regragui confirmed. “What he has done to come back is extraordinary. What I can say is that Achraf will play tomorrow,” Regragui said yes»»»

Dubai: Nick Kyrgios beat women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the “Battle of the Sexes” yesterday, in a highly-publicised showdown with modified rules that divided tennis fans. Former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios won 6-3, 6-3 in an exhibition match in Dubai that bore little resemblance to the »»»

Sixteen people have been killed and three left injured after a fire tore through a nursing home for elderly residents in northern Indonesia, local authorities say. The fire department was alerted to a fire at Damai retirement home in the city of Manado, the capital of North Sulawesi province, on Su»»»

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»»»

Rabat: Algeria secured their place in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after a Riyad Mahrez penalty gave them a 1-0 victory over Burkina Faso yesterday. Captain Mahrez converted from the spot midway through the first half at the Moulay El Hassan Stadium in Rabat and Algeria then held on to »»»

A draft resolution by the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan introducing a temporary ban on the export of mineral fertilizers beyond the customs territory of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) has been submitted for public discussion. The document proposes imposing a six-month temporary ban on the »»»

Doha, Qatar: QNB Group announced the launch of its first-ever sonic identity, marking a new milestone in the bank’s brand evolution and customer engagement journey. Developed in collaboration with Sixième Son, a global leader in sonic branding, the new musical identity is rooted in QNB’s brand pers»»»

Bondi Beach shooting hero Ahmed al-Ahmed recalled the moment he ran towards one of the attackers and wrestled the gun from him, saying in an interview published Monday with a US outlet he wanted to protect "innocent people". Father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram are accused of targeting a Hanukkah »»»

Yemen's eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and Al-Mahra are passing through a critical phase amid the unprecedented unilateral military escalation carried out by the Southern Transitional Council (STC) that has been met with widespread regional and international condemnation. Observers have said the S»»»

The pull of home can be strong – even when it is a place you can't remember. That is how it is for Ahmed, 18. He emerges from a mosque in the heart of Gaziantep in south-east Turkey - not far from the Syrian border - wearing a black T-shirt with "Syria" written on the front. His family fled his hom»»»

The man who disarmed one of the gunmen who killed 15 people at a Jewish event at Bondi Beach has revealed his thoughts in the moments before his heroic actions. In verified footage, Ahmed al Ahmed - a Sydney shop owner born and raised in Syria - tackled one of the two shooters from behind, wrestlin»»»

Doha, Qatar: For the young musicians of Qatar Music Academy, a one-week camp at the Reina Sofía School of Music in Madrid offered far more than intensive training – it was a transformative experience that boosted confidence, broadened horizons, and opened new pathways for the future. In the month w»»»

Dubai: A five-year-old boy has died at a Japanese ski resort after his arm became trapped in an outdoor moving walkway, prompting an investigation into why the machine’s automated safety systems failed to engage. Hinata Goto, a kindergartner from Sapporo, was visiting the Asari Ski Resort in Otaru,»»»

The Syrian Defense Ministry announced on Sunday the deployment of military forces in the coastal cities of Latakia and Tartus in wake of an armed attack against security forces and civilians during recent protests. Syrian television said the deployment was happening after "outlawed groups" carried »»»

Paris Saint-Germain President Nasser Al-Khelaifi was named President of the Year at the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai yesterday, leading a night of major honours for the French champions. PSG collected seven awards in total after completing a historic 2025 season, capped by victory over Flamengo in »»»

Doha, Qatar: Paris Saint-Germain were honoured at the Globe Soccer Awards ceremony, held annually in Dubai yesterday. With seven awards won, the entire Parisian team was recognised, reflecting the work carried out at all levels throughout this historic year. Less than two weeks ago, Paris Saint-Ger»»»

Doha, Qatar: Mohammed Saleh struck deep into stoppage time to rescue Al Rayyan from defeat as they drew 2-2 with Al Arabi in a Qatar Stars League clash at Al Thumama Stadium yesterday. Al Rayyan had looked set to leave empty-handed despite scoring first, but Palestine international Saleh surged in »»»

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»»»

Dubai: A 70-year-old man has died and more than 150 passengers narrowly escaped after fire tore through two air-conditioned coaches of the Tatanagar–Ernakulam Junction Super-Fast Express near Visakhapatnam in the early hours of Monday. The deceased was identified as Chandrasekhar Sundar, a resident»»»

A five-year-old boy in Japan has died while on a ski holiday with his family after his arm caught on a travelator. On Sunday morning Hinata Goto was about to step off the travelator at a Hokkaido resort's ski slopes when he fell down and his right arm became trapped in the machinery, Japanese media»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai edged lower on Monday morning, easing back from a record-setting rally that’s been driven by a global surge in precious metals. The 24-karat variety stood at Dh542.75 per gram at 8:45 am, while 22-karat gold was Dh502.50. (Check latest UAE gold prices here, alongside pri»»»

Manila: In a library in the Philippines, a dice rattles on the surface of a board before coming to a stop, putting one of its players straight into the path of a powerful typhoon. The teenagers huddled around the table leap into action, shouting instructions and acting out the correct strategies fo»»»

- Over 23% of investors believe economy is better than last year- 57% of investors expect the economy to improve in 2026- Around 47% of investors believe country is moving in right directionAMMAN — Amid growing regional and global uncertainty, investor confidence in Jordan has shown a “notable” inc»»»

At least four people were killed and dozens more injured during demonstrations staged by members of the Alawite minority in Syria on Sunday. The rare protests followed Friday’s deadly bombing at an Alawite mosque in the city of Homs. Clashes broke out on Syria’s coast between protesters from the Al»»»

Niger's military junta has declared a general mobilisation and requisition of people and resources to combat jihadist insurgents, a government statement said Saturday. The measure requires citizens to comply with call-up orders to contribute to national defense as the junta faces growing militant a»»»

French film legend Brigitte Bardot has died at 91, the Bardot foundation announced on Sunday. Bardot starred in more than 50 movies during her career before leaving the film industry to concentrate on animal rights activism. Bardot became a controversial figure in her later decades, with publi»»»

French cinema legend Brigitte Bardot, whose death at 91 was announced on Sunday, was well known for her status as a 1960s sex symbol. In later decades, Bardot became a militant animal rights activist and then veered to the far right, making disparaging remarks about the LGBTQ+ community, Musli»»»

Voters headed to the polls Sunday for the first round of Myanmar's heavily restricted election that campaigners, Western diplomats and the UN's rights chief have all condemned. The Southeast Asian nation is riven by civil war, and residents were not able to cast ballots in areas controlled by »»»

China mobilised army, naval, air force and artillery units around Taiwan on Monday for its "Justice Mission 2025" exercises. Taipei responded by deploying troops to rehearse repelling a potential Chinese attack, underscoring the island's commitment to defending democracy amid escalating regional te»»»

Hybrid-warfare operations dominated European headlines in 2025 – be it sabotage, drone incursions or assassination attempts – even though the number of incidents fell compared to the previous year. Does the drop signal that the Kremlin is taking a tactical pause or just changing strategy ahead of 2»»»

Mexico City, Mexico: Officials said a train accident in southern Mexico killed at least 13 people and injured dozens, halting traffic along a rail line connecting the Pacific Ocean with the Gulf of Mexico. The Interoceanic Train linking the states of Oaxaca and Veracruz went off the rails Sunday as»»»

Russian tech billionaire and Telegram messaging service founder, Pavel Durov, claims to have fathered “hundreds of children” through sperm donation. He now plans to fund in-vitro fertilisation for single women using his own genetic material in a move that geneticists is a potential “gene pool timeb»»»

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. »»»

Kosovo’s left-wing Self-Determination Movement (Vetevendosje) led by acting PM Albin Kurti is leading in the snap parliamentary election held on December 28, securing 50.2% of the vote after 87.5% of polling stations had been counted, according to preliminary data from the state election commission»»»

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. »»»

Dubai: When Natalia Dobrynina moved to Dubai, she found herself navigating a rental process dominated by WhatsApp messages, repeated agent calls and conflicting advice on basic requirements such as Ejari. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.“It took me more than six months»»»

A woman is currently awaiting execution in Somalia after being convicted of killing a 14-year-old girl in her care. The murder of orphan Saabirin Saylaan in November, and the horrific details that emerged about the circumstances surrounding her death, sparked protests near her home in Galkayo, alon»»»