The breakaway region of Somaliland on Thursday denied allegations by the Somali president that it would take resettled Palestinians or host an Israeli military base in exchange for Israel recognizing its independence. Israel last week became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an "independ»»»

Widening demonstrations sparked by Iran's ailing economy spread Thursday into the country's rural provinces, with at least three people being killed in the first fatalities reported among security forces and protesters, authorities said. The deaths may mark the start of a heavier-handed response by»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Pezeshkian: Martyr Haj Qassem Soleimani was present in every arena and was a role model, defending Iran and the people of the Islamic natio»»»

Tehran: Protesters and security forces clashed in western Iran on Thursday, with three people reported killed, the first deaths since the cost-of-living demonstrations broke out. The protests began on Sunday in Tehran, where shopkeepers went on strike over high prices and economic stagnation, and h»»»

Separatists from Yemen's Southern Transitional Council said on Thursday that Saudi-aligned government forces would enter territories seized by the UAE-backed group, in a step that appeared unlikely to satisfy Riyadh after it repeatedly demanded their full withdrawal. A surprise offensive by the STC»»»

Mohammed al-Shafei, one of Asharq Al-Awsat's most prominent journalists, passed away at 74 on Wednesday, leaving behind a career that spanned over 40 years during which he tackled the thorniest and most complex files. Al-Shafei specialized in extremist groups and was among the first journalists to »»»

A member of Iran's security forces was killed during protests that have swept across the country since last week, state television reported on Thursday citing a regional official, marking the first fatality among security forces during the protests. "A 21-year-old member of the Basij from the city »»»

The United States announced sanctions on four companies Wednesday over their operations in Venezuela's oil sector, in the latest effort to put pressure on the nation's President Nicolas Maduro. The US Treasury Department also identified four related oil tankers as blocked property. Also In This Pac»»»

Without a doubt, 2025 proved to be one of the most intense years for the Middle East in the past decades, marking a definitive shift from “managed crises” to a phase of multi-layered and poorly controlled escalation. Unlike previous years, when conflicts – primarily between Iran and Israel – unfold»»»

Iran will meet any attempt to use ongoing protests driven by economic hardship to foment insecurity with a "decisive response", prosecutor-general Mohammad Movahedi-Azad said Wednesday. Shopkeeper-led demonstrations broke out Sunday to protest the sanction-hit country's rising cost of living. »»»

Protesters in Iran have tried to break into a local government building in the southern province of Fars, on a fourth day of demonstrations sparked by a currency collapse. Officials said three police officers were injured and four people arrested in the city of Fasa. Confrontations were also been r»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Axios reveals new details of Trump-Netanyahu meeting in Florida 31-12-2025 18:08 PM Latest News Urgent News Axios reveals new details of Tr»»»

The faithful attend a Christmas mass at the damaged St. Anthony church in Al-Khiyam, southern Lebanon, on December 25. This is the first Christmas mass in the town since a cease-fire was agreed to between Lebanon and Israel in late November 2024 to halt more than a year of cross-border fighting wit»»»

Abdolnasser Hemmati, newly appointed governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), has pledged to restore economic stability by taking firm action against loss-making banks, curbing excess liquidity growth and dismantling distortions caused by multiple exchange rates. »»»

A government building in southern Iran was attacked on Wednesday, authorities said, as the country's top prosecutor warned of a "decisive response" to any attempt to create instability after days of economic protests. Spontaneous protests, driven by dissatisfaction at Iran's economic stagnation, be»»»

Iranian protesters tried to break into a local government building in the southern Fars Province on Wednesday, state media said, on a fourth day of demonstrations over the cost of living that have prompted an unusual government offer of dialogue. Protests over high inflation and a slump in the valu»»»

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the site struck in Venezuela was used to mix coca paste into cocaine and linked it directly to the ELN, the Colombian guerrilla group Photo by Carlos Ortega/EPA Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he learned the United States' attack on Ven»»»

As 2025 comes to a close, editorial team thanks our readers for following our coverage throughout the year. Your engagement makes it possible for us to deliver news, analysis, opinions, features and perspectives that challenge the mainstream narrative and highlight the stories that truly matter. RT»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Reuters citing Gulf sources: The escalation in Yemen was the result of a misconception stemming from talks between Bin Salman and Trump reg»»»

Doha: The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) closed 2025 at 10,762 points, marking a 1.81% year‑over‑year increase. Market capitalization rose by approximately QAR 23.4 billion, reaching QAR 644.3 billion, up from QAR 620.86 billion at the end of 2024. In terms of trading value, activity declined by about »»»

In the first year of his second term, US President Donald Trump was flattered and praised as prominent figures calculated that massaging the ego of the leader of the free world was the easiest way to manage global diplomacy – and possibly serve their own interests. The lesson was learned early in T»»»

PoliticsAsiaIran: Economic crisis, political discontent threaten regimeMohsen BarinProtests triggered by soaring inflation and a collapsing currency have highlighted widespread political discontent. Will Iran's deep economic woes lead to regime change? https://p.dw.com/p/569zaThe protests began wit»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe IRGC Arrest Terror-Linked Team in Southeastern Iran 31-12-2025 15:31 PM The Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) in Iran have identified »»»

The United Arab Emirates is preparing to welcome the New Year 2026 with an unprecedented festive spectacle, headlined by fireworks and light shows stretching from Abu Dhabi to Fujairah. Al Wathba area in Abu Dhabi will host one of the largest New Year celebrations in the UAE and the region. The Hig»»»

Iran on Wednesday appointed a new governor to the central bank after the former one resigned following a record currency fall against the US dollar that sparked large protests. The plummeting of the rial, Iran's currency, sparked the largest protests in the country in three years, with rallies that»»»

Iran's prosecutor general said on Wednesday that economic protests that had gripped the country were legitimate, but any attempt to create insecurity would be met with a "decisive response". "Peaceful livelihood protests are part of social and understandable realities," Mohammad Movahedi-Azad told »»»

Israel's Mossad spy agency issued a direct call urging Iranians to press on with protests, saying it was supporting them "on the ground" as demonstrations spread in capital Tehran and other Iranian cities. "Go out into the streets together. The time has come. We are with you," Mossad wrote in a pos»»»

Dubai: Iran is once again facing a moment of deep uncertainty as economic collapse, public anger and regional tensions converge. In recent days, the country has seen its largest protests in three years, sparked by a sharp fall in the national currency and a steady erosion of living standards. While»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Al Ahli FC will face Foolad Mobarakeh Sepahan FC of Iran in the Round of 16 of the AFC Champions League (ACL) Two following the conclusion of the knockout stage draw yesterday. The draw set the path for the 16 remaining teams, with all eight Round of 16 ties offering intriguing»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatari athletes endured mixed fortunes in the passing year, marked by historic achievements, extraordinary individual performances and moments of heartbreak. Al Annabi experienced a roller-coaster 2025, but their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup on merit saved the blushe»»»

TEHRAN — Some shopkeepers in Tehran shut their stores for the second day in a row Monday in protest against economic hardships and sharp swings in Iran's embattled currency, media reports said.The rial has hit new lows on the unofficial market, with the US dollar trading at around 1.42 million rial»»»

Central Asia, the Sahel region and northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025, according to AFP analysis based on data from the European Copernicus program. Globally, the last 12 months are expected to be the third hottest ever recorded after 2024 and 2023, according to the pr»»»

US President Donald Trump warmly greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida this week as the two leaders put on a public display of unity on multiple fronts—from Gaza to Iran to Netanyahu’s legal and political challenges at home. This meeting came after week»»»

Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said on Tuesday he had asked the interior ministry to "listen to the legitimate demands" of protesters after several days of demonstrations by shopkeepers in Tehran. Student protests also broke out on Tuesday as Iran's embattled currency hit new lows on »»»

The UAE said Tuesday it would withdraw its remaining forces from Yemen after Saudi Arabia led an airstrike on a southern Yemeni port targeting what it said was a UAE-linked weapons shipment. Following the strike, Saudi Arabia backed calls for UAE forces to leave the country within 24 hours. Th»»»

Iran's state TV says the country's central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin has stepped down, as the country faces growing protests over the high cost of living. The move comes after the Iranian rial plummeted to a record low against the dollar on Sunday. The central bank has been accused of printin»»»

Iran’s government spokeswoman said she recognised nationwide protests over living costs, in a bid to cool tensions which have been running high in recent hours due to the collapse in the country's currency and rampant inflation.  »»»

Israeli Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has accused Iran of resuming the production of ballistic missiles and the development of nuclear program. "They're going back to production [of missiles]. As far as the nuclear program, I think they're trying to do that. I'm not sure they decided to cross t»»»

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the Treasury Department announced sanctions against Venezuelans, Iranians and companies in both nations for facilitating illicit arms trades. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesda»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iran, China, Saudi Arabia Call for Immediate Halt to Israeli Aggression 09-12-2025 18:30 PM A joint communiqué issued Tuesday at the conclu»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is calling on "hotheads" to refrain from escalating tensions around Iran and its nuclear program, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said on Tuesday. "We call on hotheads to recognize the full perniciousness of their destructive course, to refrain from e»»»

People take part in a protest against Saudi Arabia in the southern port city of Aden, Yemen, on Tuesday. Photo by Najeeb Mohamed/EPA Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The United Arab Emirates announced Tuesday it's ending its military presence in Yemen after its close ally, Saudi Arabia, bombed separatists backed b»»»

US President Donald Trump warmly greeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida this week as the two leaders put on a public display of unity on multiple fronts—from Gaza to Iran to Netanyahu’s legal and political challenges at home. This meeting came after week»»»

America's overarching goal in the region is to ensure a secure Israel and US-friendly neighbouring states with which it can establish commercial ties. But inconsistent policies and mistakes have made this harder to realise. Below is an analysis of the impact of consecutive presidencies on US Middle»»»

Iranian students staged street protests in Tehran on Tuesday, a day after the capital's shopkeepers demonstrated against economic hardship and won a message of understanding from the president. According to Ilna, a news agency associated with Iran's labor movement, protests erupted at seven Tehran »»»

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Tuesday said his country’s answer to an attack would be harsh, which appeared to be in response to a warning by US President Donald Trump over reconstruction of Iran’s nuclear program. Iran’s answer “to any cruel aggression will be harsh and discouraging,” Pez»»»

Protests and strikes in Iran over inflation and currency devaluation have spread from the capital, Tehran, to several other cities on a third day of unrest. The protests began on Sunday after shopkeepers in Tehran's Grand Bazaar staged a strike when the Iranian rial hit a record low against the US »»»

TEHRAN Iran’s president urged his government to listen to the “legitimate demands” of protesters, state media reported Tuesday, after demonstrations by shopkeepers in Tehran over economic hardship. Shopkeepers in the capital shut their stores on Monday, after Iran’s embattled currency hit new lows »»»

Saudi Arabia has backed a demand from Yemen's presidential council for the United Arab Emirates to withdraw within 24 hours, after a Saudi-led coalition bombed what it said was a weapons shipment for UAE-backed separatists at the port of Mukalla. The Saudi foreign ministry accused the UAE of "press»»»