Turkish authorities said Friday that they have apprehended a suspected member of the extremist ISIS group who was planning attacks on New Year's celebrations. State-run Anadolu Agency reported that Ibrahim Burtakucin was captured in a joint operation carried out by police and the National Intellige»»»

Shanghai: A group of retirees cheered under disco lights as 60-year-old Xu Li leapt into her partner's arms, her legs spread akimbo in perfect splits. It was just a regular Wednesday at one of Shanghai's many lunchtime dance clubs, a phenomenon born of the city's deeply rooted love of ballroom cult»»»

President Donald Trump said Thursday that the US had launched "precision hits on terrorist targets in Nigeria by air strikes". The claim came in a Christmas night social media post that offered few details, though US Africa Command later confirmed the strikes were conducted at the request of Nigeri»»»

Dubai: The definition of “luxury travel” is changing. As hotels by big-name interior designers with outposts of renowned restaurants get copy-pasted all around the world, they’re coming off as overly predictable and even cookie-cutter. With demand at the top end of the luxury travel market higher t»»»

The Israeli military announced a series of strikes on "Hezbollah targets" in south and east Lebanon on Friday, including "weapons depots" and a "training" complex. "A number of weapons storage facilities and terrorist infrastructure sites were struck, which were used by Hezbollah to advance terror »»»

Tokyo: As school and work wrap up, crowds fill Tokyo's many bustling arcade halls -- not to battle it out in fighting games, but to snag plush toys from claw machines. In one of these gaming hubs in the Japanese capital's Ikebukuro district, aisles of crane games stretch as far as the eye can see. »»»

Dubai is gearing up for New Year’s Eve 2026, with authorities confirming a comprehensive security and operational plan to manage crowds, traffic, and celebrations across the emirate. From massive deployments of police, civil defence, and medical teams to non-stop Metro services and 48 fireworks dis»»»

Bulgaria’s political year 2025 will be remembered for the election of a regular government that resigned after 11 months in office amid mass protests, as well as for preparations for the country’s entry into the eurozone. Following a series of snap parliamentary elections, on January 16 the governm»»»

President Joseph Aoun announced Thursday that the Lebanese state will continue with its arms monopolization plan. "The decision has been taken while implementation depends on the circumstances," Aoun told reporters in Bkirki after taking part in Christmas Day Mass. He was answering a question about»»»

Seoul: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military's growing need for the projectiles, state media said Friday. Pyongyang has significantly increased missile testing in recent years -- aimed, analysts say,»»»

China pledged on Friday to double down on upgrading its manufacturing base and ​promised capital to fund efforts targeting technological breakthroughs, after its industrial sector delivered an underwhelming performance this year. China's industry ministry expects output of large industrial companie»»»

Cambodia accused Thailand on Friday of intensifying its bombardment of disputed border areas, even as officials from the two countries attend a multi-day meeting aimed at negotiating an end to deadly clashes. The neighbors' long-standing border conflict reignited this month, shattering an earlier t»»»

A Malaysia court has convicted former prime minister Najib Razak for abuse of power, in his second major trial for a multi-billion-dollar state funds scandal. Najib, 72, faces multiple charges for misappropriating nearly 2.3 billion Malaysian ringgit ($569m; £422m) from the nation's sovereign wealt»»»

Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, Ukraine: Inside an abandoned control room at Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a worker in an orange hardhat gazed at a grey wall of seemingly endless dials, screens and gauges that were supposed to prevent disaster. The 1986 meltdown at the site was the world'»»»

Bulgaria remains among the countries with the highest levels of alcohol consumption in Europe and globally. According to World Health Organization data, the average Bulgarian aged over 15 consumes 11.2 litres of pure alcohol per year. An analysis by the Institute for Market Economics shows that spi»»»

Palm Beach, United States: President Donald Trump said US forces conducted "powerful and deadly" strikes Thursday against Islamic State group militants in northwestern Nigeria, weeks after he warned against any systemic assault on Christians in the country. The Nigerian foreign ministry early Frida»»»

Dubai authorities have confirmed the full readiness of the security and operational plan for New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, ensuring public safety, smooth mobility, and seamless services across all major celebration sites. Also Read: NYE in Dubai: RTA announces road closures, Metro goes 43 hours»»»

As school and work wrap up, crowds fill Tokyo's many bustling arcade halls -- not to battle it out in fighting games, but to snag plush toys from claw machines. In one of these gaming hubs in the Japanese capital's Ikebukuro district, aisles of crane games stretch as far as the eye can see. The cro»»»

Two sisters in their 20s died by suicide in Lucknow because they were grief stricken at the idea of losing their pet dog, reported Times of India. The women, 22 and 24, were very attached to their German Shepherd, their family members said, adding that the dog had been ill for quite some time. Whil»»»

Dubai authorities have confirmed the full readiness of the security and operational plan for New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, ensuring public safety, smooth mobility, and seamless services across all major celebration sites. The Event Security Committee, during a press conference at Dubai Civil De»»»

A group of retirees cheered under disco lights as 60-year-old Xu Li leapt into her partner's arms, her legs spread akimbo in perfect splits. It was just a regular Wednesday at one of Shanghai's many lunchtime dance clubs, a phenomenon born of the city's deeply rooted love of ballroom culture from i»»»

On Dec. 26, 1935, Shenandoah National Park was established in northern Virginia after years of raising funds to purchase the land 1 of 7 | The northern lights can be seen in the skies above the Shenandoah National Park near Front Royal, Va., on October 10, 2024. The park was established December 26»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered officials to step up production of missiles and construct more factories to meet his military's growing need for the projectiles, state media said Friday. Pyongyang has significantly increased missile testing in recent years -- aimed, analysts say, at imp»»»

Nikos Plakias, who lost his twin daughters and a niece in Greece’s deadliest rail disaster, has criticized railway operator Hellenic Train over a Christmas greetings card he said showed a lack of sensitivity toward victims’ families. The card, bearing the message “Next stop: Next to those we love,”»»»

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi warned of a "new conspiracy" being planned by Tehran's opponents, warning that they may seek to create economic and social unrest to destabilize the country. Speaking at a forum in Isfahan, he explained that the conspiracy will not be based on a direct milita»»»

Bulgaria’s political year 2025 will be remembered for the election of a regular government that resigned after 11 months in office amid mass protests, as well as for preparations for the country’s entry into the eurozone. Following a series of snap parliamentary elections, on January 16 the governm»»»

Inside an abandoned control room at Ukraine's Chernobyl nuclear power plant, a worker in an orange hardhat gazed at a grey wall of seemingly endless dials, screens and gauges that were supposed to prevent disaster. The 1986 meltdown at the site was the world's worst ever nuclear incident. Since Rus»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), through its Studio5 initiative, participated, in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy to the State of Qatar and Qatar Reads, in marking Italian Republic Children’s Day through a special event titled Winter and Tech Da»»»

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he held "very good" talks with US President Donald Trump’s envoys on ending the war, as Russia also assured negotiations with Washington were making progress. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he had had "very good" t»»»

Electricity supply across Kurdistan dropped by 1,000 megawatts due to a "technical issue” at Khor Mor gas field, one of the largest in the Kurdish region, the Kurdish ministry of electricity said on Thursday. The Ministry of Natural Resources, together with the UAE's Dana ‌Gas teams, which ‌jointly»»»

Donald Trump said the US military had carried out what he described as a powerful and deadly strike against Islamic State fighters in north-western Nigeria, an operation Washington says was conducted in close co-ordination with Nigerian forces, the BBC reports. »»»

Donald Trump said the US military had carried out what he described as a powerful and deadly strike against Islamic State fighters in north-western Nigeria, an operation Washington says was conducted in close co-ordination with Nigerian forces, the BBC reports. »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Student Activities – Spring 2025 programme, is an initiative designed to channel students’ time into purposeful learning experiences. The programme focuses on developing life skills, strengthening values, and discovering students’ talents through a diverse set of educational, sport»»»

The United States carried out a strike against ISIS militants in northwest Nigeria at the request of Nigeria's government, President Donald Trump and the US military said on Thursday, claiming the group had been targeting Christians in the region. "Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, th»»»

Dubai: More than 1,100 volunteers have signed up to support security and organisational efforts during Dubai’s New Year’s Eve celebrations, one of the city’s largest annual events. Dubai Police said it continues to receive applications from residents wishing to take part in seven volunteer opportun»»»

Istanbul police launched scores of simultaneous raids on Thursday, detaining over a hundred suspected members of the militant Islamic State group who were allegedly planning attacks against Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, authorities said. A statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecuto»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar’s Ouissal Ikhlef delivered a standout performance on the sixth day of the combined weightlifting championships in Doha, claiming nine gold medals across three events at the Ezdan Palace Hotel yesterday. The competitions include the 10th Qatar International Weightlifting Cup 2025,»»»

The women’s volleyball team of Kyrgyzstan participated in an international tournament in the Maldives. The Volleyball Federation reported on social media. Yesterday, the team defeated the Maldives team 3-1 in the final. Previously, the Kyrgyz athletes defeated their opponents from Bangladesh and Af»»»

Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai rose to fresh all-time highs Friday morning as global precious metals extended their record-breaking rally. The 24-karat variety stood at Dh543.25 per gram at 8:10 am, up from Thursday’s close of Dh539.75. The 22‑karat variety rose to Dh503, up from Dh499.75 the previous»»»

California declared a state of emergency in Los Angeles and several other locations in the southern part of the state on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of flashing flooding. Rain from a powerful winter storm that swept across Southern Ca»»»

A powerful Christmas-week storm battered California this holiday season, bringing life-threatening rain, flash flooding. Amid intense rainfall and severe weather conditions, residents were urged to stay alert as weather agencies continued to issue strong warnings. Also Read: Southern California soa»»»

At least five people were killed on Wednesday when an explosion tore through a crowded mosque in the northeastern Nigerian city of Maiduguri during evening prayers, according to witnesses and security sources. No group has yet claimed responsibility for the suspected bombing in a city that has endu»»»

Somalis queued in the capital Mogadishu on Thursday to vote in local elections by universal suffrage for the first time in nearly 60 years, a historic test for democracy in a country grappling with insecurity and political tensions. Somalis turned out in droves on Thursday to vote in local election»»»

Christmas in France would not be complete without free-flowing champagne, oysters or a bûche de Noël. And the French holiday season is longer than most – stretching into the New Year with Epiphany (January 6) and its traditional galettes des rois (king cake) into February with Chande»»»

Pope Leo XIV delivered his first Christmas “Urbi et Orbi” blessing from Vatican City on Thursday, at the end of a year overshadowed by conflict around the world, urging Ukraine and Russia to find the 'courage' to hold direct peace talks and speaking of the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. Pope »»»

Turkish security forces have detained more than 100 people suspected of links to Islamic State, saying they had foiled plans to carry out attacks during the Christmas and New Year period. According to the BBC, prosecutors »»»

Dubai: From the tiniest hatchling to the planet’s largest predators, 2025 delivered some of the most powerful images ever captured of animals and the natural world. These photographs go beyond visual beauty, offering quiet but urgent reminders of how fragile life on Earth has become — and how resil»»»

Palm Beach: President Donald Trump said US forces conducted "powerful and deadly" strikes Thursday against ISIS militants in northwestern Nigeria, after he warned the group to stop killing Christians in the country. The Department of Defense said "multiple terrorists" were killed in an attack condu»»»

A winter storm bearing down on New York City and the Tri-State area could make road travel dangerous for those returning from holiday destinations on Friday and Saturday. File Photo by John Sommers II/UPI | License Photo Dec. 25 (UPI) -- A winter storm could make road travel dangerous and disrupt a»»»

Dubai: With the New Year just days away, the UAE is slipping into full celebration mode. From landmark countdowns in Dubai to record-breaking displays in Abu Dhabi and Ras Al Khaimah, the country is preparing for one of its busiest festive weeks of the year. Sign up for our daily business newslette»»»