Captured Ukrainian Fighter Says Enlistment Officers Told Him He Was Sent 'to Slaughter'
DONETSK (Sputnik) - After forcibly mobilizing a Ukrainian man, Territorial Recruitment Center (TRC) officers told him he was being sent "straight to the slaughter," a captured conscript and former fighter of Ukraine's 25th brigade told Sputnik. "The next morning, I woke up and my military ID was re»»»
Gaza, Nord Stream and Kiev’s golden toilets: Top stories of 2025 the West wants you to forget
2025 has yielded some extraordinary own goals that have exposed the posturing of Western politicians and left the EU isolated, irrelevant, and alone, pursuing policies contrary to self-interest. Unwelcome stories often cling to reality, like an alien to John Hurt’s face. And just as the notorious s»»»
Brazil ex-President Jair Bolsonaro's surgery for hernia 'successful'
The jailed ex-president of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has undergone a successful surgery for a double hernia, his wife Michelle says. The former leader is serving a 27-year sentence for plotting a coup after he lost the 2022 presidential election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Braz»»»
Lebanon Says 3 Dead in Israeli Strikes
Lebanon said Israeli strikes near the Syrian border and in the country's south killed three people on Thursday, as Israel said it targeted a member of Iran's elite Quds Force and a Hezbollah operative. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities betwee»»»
FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 daws over 1.2 million fans
Doha, Qatar: The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 attracted more than 1.2 million spectators and concluded with Morocco lifting the trophy, as the tournament underlined Qatar's growing reputation as a host of major global sporting events. Held from December 1 to 18, the competition featured 16 national tea»»»
Zelensky Says Has Had Talks on Ukraine with US Envoys
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday he had had "very good" talks with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, focused on ending the "brutal Russian war". "We discussed certain substantive details of the ongoing work," he said in a post on social media. "»»»
Indoor charcoal fires linked to 5 suffocation cases in Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have reported five cases of suffocation linked to the use of charcoal and firewood for indoor heating, urging residents to follow safety guidelines during the winter season. The incidents were highlighted as part of the ‘Safe and Enjoyable’ winter campaign, launched join»»»
Syria Says Kills Senior ISIS Leader, Arrests Operative Near Damascus
Syrian authorities on Thursday said forces killed a senior leader in the ISIS group and arrested another operative in fresh operations near capital Damascus in coordination with the US-led coalition. Syrian security and intelligence forces, working in coordination with the international coalition, »»»
Al-Manar correspondent reports Israeli occupation forces fired grenades at a house in the southern town of Blida, setting it ablaze - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar correspondent reports Israeli occupation forces fired grenades at a house in the southern town of Blida, setting it ablaze 25-12-2»»»
Israel Says Member of Elite Iran Unit Killed in Lebanon Strike
The Israeli military said it killed a member of Iran's elite Quds Force in a strike in Lebanon on Thursday, accusing him of planning attacks against Israel, AFP reported. The military said the strike killed Hussein Mahmud Marshad al-Jawhari, "a key terrorist in the operational unit of the Quds Forc»»»
CSTO countries hold exercises to neutralize extremist groups - | 24.KG
The CSTO countries held exercises to neutralize extremist groups. The organization’s press service reported. The exercises, conducted under the guidance of the joint staff, involved duty shifts from the Crisis Response Center, as well as the Ministries of Defense and Emergency Situations of Tajikis»»»
Municipality ministry organises inaugural National Forum on Public Cleanliness
DOHA: The Public Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality organised the first National Forum on Public Cleanliness Thursday, under the slogan 'Towards a Clean, Smart and Sustainable City,' with broad participation from government agencies, private sector partners, universities, academ»»»
MOEHE organizes Crisis Management Simulation Exercise
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, MOEHE, represented by the Planning, Policies, and Innovation Department, organized a crisis management simulation exercise with the participation of approximately 140 officials and staffers at the ministry. This exercise aimed to enhance »»»
Minister of State for International Cooperation meets Japan's Assistant Foreign Minister
Doha, Qatar: Minister of State for International Cooperation, HE Maryam bint Ali bin Nasser Al Misnad met Thursday with Assistant Minister and Director-General of the Middle Eastern and African Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, HE Keiichi Iwamoto, who is visiting Qatar. Di»»»
Over 60 Endangered Species Released into King Khalid Royal Reserve
In collaboration with the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the Imam Abdulaziz bin Mohammed Royal Reserve Development Authority has released over 60 endangered species into the King Khalid Royal Reserve. This initiative supports a national program to reintroduce wildlife into their natural habita»»»
Fujairah Police unveil comprehensive security plan for New Year’s Eve
Fujairah: Fujairah Police have completed their security and traffic preparations for New Year’s Eve, announcing a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring the safety and smooth movement of residents and visitors across the emirate. Police said the comprehensive security readiness plan combines heighten»»»
Syria to Start Currency Swap on January 1st, Central Bank Governor Says
Syria will start swapping old bank notes for new ones under a plan to replace Assad-era notes starting from January 1st 2026, Syria's Central Bank Governor Abdelkader Husrieh said on Thursday, Reuters reported.»»»
Coastguard Rescue 52 Migrants off Greece, Boy Missing
Greek coastguard were searching Thursday for a missing child off the island of Farmakonisi after rescuing 52 migrants in two separate incidents in the Aegean Sea, local media reported. They found 13 migrants who had arrived on the small, uninhabited island, but one boy was reported missing from the»»»
Tenant kills landlord’s son in India, flees after attack
In a shocking incident, a tenant allegedly slit the throat of his landlord’s son and threw him from the second floor of a building, killing him on the spot in the Pithampur industrial town of Madhya Pradesh’s Dhar district. The incident occurred late on Wednesday night under the jurisdiction of the»»»
Brainy n Bright unveils 2026 initiatives to unite UAE families through technology
Dubai: Brainy n Bright, a leading name in technology and innovation education in the Middle East, has unveiled a comprehensive portfolio of initiatives for 2026, aligning its vision closely with the UAE’s declaration of the Year of The Family. Having upskilled learners across age groups since 2019,»»»
Dubai enacts new law to expand Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives
Dubai: Dubai has enacted a new law to formalise and expand the role of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), establishing a comprehensive legal and governance framework for one of the UAE’s largest humanitarian and development platforms. The law, issued by His Highness Shei»»»
Amir sends condolences to Amir of Kuwait
Doha, Qatar: The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani sent Thursday a cable of condolences to the Amir of the State of Kuwait, HH Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, on the death of Sheikha Maali Mohammad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah»»»
Traffic alert: Partial road closure announced on key road in Sharjah
Sharjah: The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has announced a temporary partial closure of Sheikh Mohammed bin Musa Al Khwarizmi Street in the Al Juraina 1 area, near the House of Wisdom, as part of routine road maintenance works. The closure will begin on Friday, December 26, 2025, and»»»
The 20 Most Promising Egyptian Start-ups
1- Instabug: It was founded by Moataz Soliman and Omar Gabr in 2013. Instabug gives app developers a tool to help them detect software glitches. Its customers include Yahoo, PayPal, Soundcloud, and Souq. In June 2016, Instabug founders raised $1.7 million in seed funding from Palo Alto, California-»»»
Sharjah Ruler grants full government benefits to imams and muezzins
Sharjah: His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has directed that all imams and muezzins serving mosques across the emirate are to be formally placed on the Sharjah Government’s general staffing framework and be granted the full benefits »»»
Rs5 for a thali promises dignity on a plate in India
In a city where a basic meal at a roadside dhaba can easily set you back hundreds of rupees, Delhi residents struggling to make ends meet were greeted on Thursday with an offer that sounds almost unreal: a wholesome thali for just Rs 5. On the 101st birth anniversary of former prime minister Atal B»»»
Sheikh Hamdan reveals stunning new artwork at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai
Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of the Executive Council of Dubai, shared a glimpse of a striking new art installation on his Instagram stories on Thursday. The piece, now adorning the Nad Al Sh»»»
New unified platform planned to connect all Dubai free zones
Dubai: The Dubai Free Zones Council has discussed proposals to improve coordination among authorities, simplify procedures for companies and enhance the competitiveness of the emirate’s free zones. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The Council, chaired by Sheikh Ahmed bi»»»
Tu Meri Main Tera movie review from UAE: Kartik Aaryan and Ananya Panday’s love story has zero spark or substance
Tu Meri MainTera Main Teri Tu MeriDirector: Sameer VidwansCast: Ananya Panday, Kartik Aaryan, Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff★★Dubai: I went into Tu Meri, Main Tera, Main Tera, Tu Meri with the cautious optimism one reserves for Bollywood rom-coms. Maybe it would be frothy. Maybe it would be charming. M»»»
PM says Egypt aims for lowest public debt levels in 50 years
CAIRO, Dec 24 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Egypt had begun a downward path in its debt indicators, noting that public debt had fallen to about 84 percent of GDP from 96 percent two years ago, and that the government was working to reduce it to levels not seen in five decades. Madbo»»»
Sharjah Literature Festival 2026: All you need to know
The Sharjah Literature Festival will return for its second edition in 2026 with a rich line-up of workshops, author talks, performances, events, and panel discussions. It will run between Jan 5 and 11 at the University City Hall Square in Sharjah, under the theme ‘A Community Woven by Tales’. A num»»»
Russia Has Plan to Respond to Possible Seizure of Assets Frozen in West - Deputy PM Novak
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has a plan to respond to the possible seizure of assets frozen in the West, and it will be implemented if necessary, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday. "An appropriate plan has been drawn up, and it will be implemented if such cases arise," Nov»»»
China-based AWOT picks Dubai to anchor Middle East, Africa and Europe expansion
Dubai: Dubai Airport Freezone welcomed AWOT Global Logistics Corporation's new regional headquarters Thursday, cementing the emirate's pull as a logistics powerhouse for one of the world's top 10 air freight companies. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.AWOT, ranked ninth»»»
Sheikh Hamdan extends warm Christmas greetings
Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, took to X on Thursday to share his Christmas greetings. “From Dubai to the world, we wish you a Merry Christmas. May Allah bles»»»
Doha Debates releases its first Latin America town hall
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates, in collaboration with Qatar’s Years of Culture, a national initiative that brings people together through cultural exchange, has released its first Latin America town hall, “How Should We Reinvent the City?” Held at Buenos Aires’ Usina del Arte, the eve»»»
Al Sadd never stopped believing, says Mujica
Doha: Hat-trick hero Rafa Mujica attributed self-belief as the key factor for Al Sadd SC’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Elite tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. Trailing 2-0 following goals from Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani, Al »»»
Prime minister hopeful Tarique Rahman arrives in Bangladesh
Dhaka: Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of joyous supporters after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and heir apparent of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B»»»
Sports Minister visits Elite Referees’ Camp, reaffirms support
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Sports and Youth H E Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa bin Ahmed Al Thani, visited the winter camp for elite referees currently underway at the Hilton Doha Hotel, in the presence of Deputy Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee Hani Taleb Balan. During the visit, Sheikh Hamad close»»»
President says time to "move up another gear in various fields" [update 1]
Tunis, Dec. 25 (TAP)- President of the Republic Kais Saïed had a talk on Wednesday afternoon in Carthage with Premier Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri.The Head of State said it is imperative to "move up another gear in various fields," mainly following the...»»»
Fujairah marine clean-up: 740kg debris removed in volunteer effort
Fujairah: A total of 740 kilograms of marine debris were removed from the seabed off Fujairah during a major volunteer clean-up involving 134 professional divers and community members, organisers said. The effort marked the seventh and final activity of the national initiative “7 Volunteering Oppor»»»
UN Experts Slam US Blockade on Venezuela
Four United Nations rights experts on Wednesday condemned the US partial naval blockade of Venezuela, determining it illegal armed aggression and calling on the US Congress to intervene. The United States has deployed a major military force in the Caribbean and has recently intercepted oil tankers »»»
Sun Amer triumphs in nail-biting Muaither Cup finish
Doha, Qatar: Sun Amer emerged victorious in a tough field in a gripping Purebred Arabian Handicap (80–100) for four-year-olds, clinching the Muaither Cup by a head at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. The thrilling 1700m Class 2 contest saw several leaders, including Alhafar, Rammah and Al Mustafiz. »»»
Education Ministry inspects Spring Break 2025 Student Activity Centres
Doha, Qatar: Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education and Higher Education Maha Zayed Al-Qaqa’ Al-Rawaili, inspected the activities of the Spring Break 2025 Student Activity Centres yesterday at Saad Bin Muath School. During the visit, she received a detailed br»»»
Student Activity Centres for Spring Break 2025 launched
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has launched the seasonal Student Activity Centres for the 2025 Spring Break, running from December 22 to 31, 2025. This initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to investing in students’ free time in a way that contributes to»»»
Teacher shot dead inside Aligarh Muslim University campus in Uttar Pradesh
A 43-year-old school teacher was shot dead inside the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night, sparking fear and outrage at one of India’s most prominent educational institutions. The victim has been identified as Rao Danish Ali, a former AMU student who had been »»»
President says time to "move up another gear in various fields"
Tunis, Dec. 25 (TAP)- President of the Republic Kais Saïed had a talk on Wednesday afternoon in Carthage with Premier Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri.The Head of State said it is imperative to "move up another gear in various fields," mainly following the...»»»
Inaugural Police Open Padel Championship for Men concludes
Doha: Qatar Police Sports Federation concluded its inaugural Police Open Padel Championship for Men at the 1969 Platinum Padel Hall, with 48 players from 24 teams participating. The closing ceremony was attended by HE Security Advisor to HE the Minister of Interior Lieutenant General Saad bin Jassi»»»
Ministry of Municipality organises public cleanliness march
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality, represented by the Public Cleanliness Department, in cooperation with Qatari Diar, organised a public cleanliness march yesterday in Lusail Boulevard, under the slogan “One March... A Cleaner City.” The march was held under the patronage of Minister of Mun»»»
Svinsko Sas Zele: Bulgaria's Ultimate Comfort Dish
When Bulgarians talk about real home cooking, svinsko sas zele—pork with cabbage—always comes up. This hearty, warming dish is the kind of food that makes you feel instantly better on a cold winter day. While it might not have the elegance of some holiday dishes, what it lacks in sophistication it »»»