UPDATE – Taiwan, southwestern Japan hit by M7.0 earthquake
Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by a major earthquake, initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a»»»
UPDATE – Taiwan, southwestern Japan hit by M7.0 earthquake
Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by a major earthquake, initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a»»»
Exports to EU countries increase ‘notably’ by nearly 46% in 10 months - DoS
AMMAN — National exports to the European Union countries recorded a notable increase of 45.7 per cent during the first ten months of 2025, according to foreign trade data issued by the Department of Statistics (DoS).Official figures monitored by the Jordan News Agency, Petra, showed that the Kingdo»»»
Fertilisers, mining drive growth as Jordan’s export performance remains mixed
AMMAN — Foreign trade data for the first ten months of 2025 showed mixed performance among Jordan’s key exported commodities, with several major production sectors recording notable increases in export values.Garments and related items topped the list of exported goods during the ten-month period i»»»
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»»»
How much it costs to retire in this Asian country in 2026
Manila: As retirement destinations go, the Philippines is ramping up efforts to attract overseas retirees with its Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) — a residency programme that combines affordable long-term stay privileges with a tropical lifestyle and low cost of living. The visa, administer»»»
Treasury to cover Bayeux Tapestry for estimated £800m
The Treasury is set to insure the Bayeux Tapestry against damage for an estimated £800m while it is on loan to the British Museum next year. The 70m-long embroidery depicting the Battle of Hastings in 1066 will travel from France to London as part of a deal between the two nations' governments. The»»»
Fearing deportation, Hondurans in the US send more cash home than ever before
For over a year, Elías Padilla had been saving up to make the journey from Honduras to the United States as an undocumented immigrant. As an Uber driver in the snarled streets of the capital, Tegucigalpa, it hasn't been easy for him to put money aside. On bad days he makes as little as $12 (£9) in »»»
Why views and privacy now trump size in Dubai’s luxury home market
Dubai: Dubai’s luxury property market has entered a phase where square footage alone no longer explains price. Two homes with similar layouts, finishes and even locations can now sit millions of dirhams apart. The difference increasingly comes down to one factor that cannot be replicated or expande»»»
More US immigration proposals complicate life for expats worldwide
Dubai: The future of US immigration rules is again under debate, and this time the concerns are not only political — they are personal for thousands of expats in the UAE and elsewhere who either travel regularly to the US for work or have family members on H-1B visas. Sign up for our daily business»»»
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»»»
Quiz of the Year 2025, Part 4: Who was the mysterious Fedora man pictured outside the Louvre?
As the year came to an end, country music icon Dolly Parton reassured fans that reports of her demise were not true, British teen Bella Culley was freed from prison in Georgia, and the first batch of Epstein files were finally released. But how much attention did you pay to what else happened in th»»»
Saudi Arabia backs Yemen's government, urges separatists to withdraw from seized provinces
Saudi Arabia on Saturday said it would back Sanaa's government in any military confrontation with separatist forces in a statement that came a day after reported Saudi air strikes in Yemen's Hadramawt province.The Southern Transition Council (STC) separatists backed by the United Arab Emirates have»»»
US air strikes in Nigeria targeted IS group fighters trying to enter from Sahel, govt says
US-backed air strikes in Nigeria targeted Islamic State group fighters who were attempting to enter the country from the Sahel region, according to the Nigerian government. US President Donald Trump said on his social media platform that the strikes were carried out on Thursday »»»
Kentucky police seize 55 pounds of gift-wrapped meth - UPI.com
A man carrying 55 pounds of suspected methamphetamine in gift-wrapped boxes was arrested for drug trafficking near Louisville, Ky., on Monday. File Photo by Justin Lane/EPA-EFE Dec. 27 (UPI) -- A Nebraska man was arrested near Louisville, Ky., when police found 55 pounds of suspected methamphetamin»»»
Trump’s team no longer trusts Netanyahu – Axios
Officials in US President Donald Trump’s closest circle no longer believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can be trusted to push forward with the Gaza peace plan, Axios reported on Friday, citing insiders. The future of Trump’s grand Gaza war settlement roadmap, unveiled in September»»»
Godfather of Ethiopian jazz plays his last live concert
Ethiopian jazz musician Mulatu Astatke smiled as he held his arms aloft to acknowledge his audience for the last time. Last month in London, the 82-year-old pioneer, who has done much to bring his blend of musical styles to the world, played his final live concert after a six-decade performing care»»»
War-torn Myanmar votes in widely criticised 'sham' election
Myanmar is going to the polls in an election widely dismissed as a sham, with major political parties dissolved, many of their leaders jailed and as much as half the country unlikely to vote because of an ongoing civil war. The military government is holding a phased ballot nearly five years after »»»
Bessent, Trump urge ending the Senate filibuster; as 2026 budget looms - UPI.com
Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent urged Senate Republicans to end the filibuster as a fiscal year 2026 budget battle is expected in January and could trigger another government shutdown. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 27 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump and Treasury Sec. Scott Bessent »»»
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»»»
Annette Dionne, last surviving Dionne quintuplet, dies aged 91
Annette Dionne, the last surviving sister of the Canadian quintuplets, has died at 91, the Dionne Quints Home Museum has announced. The five identical sisters, born in Ontario at the height of the Great Depression in 1934, were the first known quintuplets to survive past infancy. They quickly becam»»»
Ukraine's anti-corruption agency attempts raid of parliament in new graft probe
Ukraine’s anti-corruption agency said on Saturday that security services were blocking its attempt to raid parliament, as investigators alleged that sitting MPs were implicated in a new graft probe. The probe comes at a delicate time for President Volodymyr Zelensky, as he seeks better terms for Uk»»»
Live: EU leaders pledge unfaltering support for Ukraine before Trump talks
EU chiefs Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa on Saturday promised the European Union's unfaltering support for Ukraine ahead of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's talks with US President Donald Trump on Sunday. The Ukrainian president first spoke with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney d»»»
Italian authorities arrest 9 alleged Hamas fundraisers - UPI.com
Italian officials on Saturday announced the arrests of nine people who are accused of using charities to raise $8.2 million, most of which funded Hamas. File Photo by Mohammed Saber/EPA Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Nine people who are accused of raising more than $8 million in Italy to help fund Hamas have bee»»»
Memory of Place expo: Souq Waqif becomes a visual archive to the world
Khaled Al Hameidi Doha At a time when cities are rapidly evolving and their features constantly reshaped, the exhibition ‘Memory of Place’, currently underway at the Souq Waqif Art Center, offers an artistic approach that goes beyond local documentation toward a broader, global question: how can ar»»»
Awqaf ministry opens new branch of adjudicated Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani Waqf Award
QNA Doha The Department of Islamic Research and Studies at the Ministry of Endowments (Awqaf) and Islamic Affairs, in collaboration with the Mosques Administration, has launched a new branch of the adjudicated Sheikh Ali bin Abdullah Al-Thani Waqf Award, dedicated to imams, preachers and muezzins o»»»
Registration for 35th DIBF to open on Jan.1: Culture ministry
QNA Doha The Ministry of Culture on Saturday announced that the registration for the 35th Doha International Book Fair (DIBF) will continue from January 1 to February 12, 2026. The ministry clarified that online registration will be available via the fair’s official website, amid expectations of a »»»
OFIE-M wraps up 2025 with ‘Goes Classic’ gala, launches Habi Bayan
Darlene Regis The Overseas Filipino Investors and Entrepreneurs Movement (OFIE-M), in partnership with the Ateneo Alumni Association – Ateneo Leadership and Social Entrepreneurship (AAALSE) Qatar, capped off 2025 in style with “OFIE-M Goes Classic”, a gala night celebrating Filipino leadership, ent»»»
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»»»
Hilton Doha The Pearl celebrates sixth year with renewed vision, momentum
Tribune News Network Doha Hilton Doha The Pearl celebrated its sixth anniversary this week, a milestone that coincides with Qatar National Day and highlights the hotel’s continued rise as one of the most distinctive hospitality destinations.Owned by First Qatar Real Estate Development Company, the »»»
Yellow and Orange Code Alerts for Strong Winds Issued Across Bulgaria
The National Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology (NIMH) has issued a warning for strong and stormy winds for Sunday, December 28. Yellow and orange weather alerts will be in effect, the institute announced on its website. A second-level orange code alert for strong to stormy north-westerly winds»»»
Founder Festival achieved remarkable success, record participation: Vice-chairman of Organising Committee
Doha: Vice-chairman of Camel Racing Organising Committee Abdullah Al Kuwari has affirmed to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the Founder Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani Festival for Purebred Arabian Camels is one of the preeminent festivals in the Arab Gulf region. He noted the record and unpreced»»»
Global growth recovery reflects major economies' resilience: QNB
Doha: QNB affirmed that the recovery in global growth forecasts for 2025 does not indicate a lack of risks as much as it reflects the ability of major economies to adapt to shocks in a world characterized by rapid change and rising uncertainty. It highlighted that forecasts were no longer on a fixe»»»
How to Explain Currency Change to Children: New Piggy Bank and Pocket Money in Euros
Playing “shop” at home is one of the practical ways parents can explain to very young children the change of currency that Bulgaria will undergo on January 1, 2026. A shop set up in euros helps children get used to the new coins and banknotes, and to practise basic calculations, financial expert an»»»
Deadly Russian attacks continue ahead of Trump-Zelensky meeting - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Russia targeted Kyiv with 40 missiles and nearly 500 drones that killed one and injured 27 during an early morning aerial assault on the Ukrainian capital on Saturday. Photo by Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA Dec. 27 (UPI) -- Russian attacks on Kyiv killed at least one and injured 27 early Saturday m»»»
BREAKING – Taiwan, southwestern Japan hit by M7.0 earthquake
Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by an earthquake initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a M6.7 quake»»»
BREAKING – Taiwan, southwestern Japan hit by M7.0 earthquake
Taiwan and the southwestern islands of Japan have been hit by an earthquake initially reported as measuring magnitude 7.0 by Taiwanese authorities. Japanese government agencies meanwhile reported the tremor as a M6.7 quake»»»
Gold surpasses $4,500 per ounce for first time as geopolitical tensions rise
Gold prices on the spot market exceeded $4,500 per ounce for the first time on December 24, setting a new record as investors sought safe-haven assets amid rising geopolitical tensions, Interfax reported on December 24. Sp»»»
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. »»»
MoEHE releases first-semester of secondary school certificate via online platform
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education, MOEHE, announced the release of the first semester secondary school certificate for the academic year 2025-2026 In a statement, the Ministry said that students can now access their results through the Maaref electronic portal. The service»»»
Self-styled meteorologists spread alarmist forecasts
The proliferation of websites and social media profiles that claim to predict the weather and even natural disasters has raised concerns among the scientific community about the spread of misinformation to the public. The existence of such profiles on Facebook and TikTok would not be of concern if »»»
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»»»
Ministry of Culture announces registration period for 35th Doha International Book Fair
Doha: The Ministry of Culture on Saturday announced the registration period for the 35th Doha International Book Fair, running from January 1 to February 12, 2026. The ministry clarified that online registration will be available via the fair's official website, amid expectations of a surge in the »»»
Culture ministry announces registration period for 35th Doha International Book Fair
DOHA: The Ministry of Culture on Saturday announced the registration period for the 35th Doha International Book Fair, running from January 1 to February 12, 2026. The ministry said that online registration will be available via the fair's official website, amid expectations of a surge in the numbe»»»
Scattered rain expected offshore as cold conditions prevail tonight
Doha: The Department of Meteorology has forecast relatively cold to cold conditions in some areas of the country by night, with partly cloudy skies and a chance of scattered rain offshore, according to its daily weather report valid until 6am on Sunday. Inshore areas are expected to see some clouds»»»
Above-average temperatures forecast for Q1 2026
Tunis, Dec 27 (TAP) - The National Institute of Meteorology (INM) has forecast above-normal seasonal temperatures across Tunisia during the first quarter of 2026 (January–February–March), according to its latest seasonal outlook bulletin...»»»
Putin Reviews Russian Army’s Progress: Major Gains Across Key Fronts
During a meeting at a command post of the Joint Forces Group, President Vladimir Putin received reports from military commanders, including General Staff Chief Valery Gerasimov. The following updates were provided:Russian Armed Forces are advancing on all fronts, while Ukrainian forces continue uns»»»
Lebanese Army Inspections Debunk Israeli Claims in Southern Villages - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese Army Inspections Debunk Israeli Claims in Southern Villages 27-12-2025 19:28 PM The Lebanese Army has inspected several homes in t»»»
Almost 40% of Germans Say Merz Cabinet May Collapse Before Term Ends - Poll
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - In Germany, 37% of residents believe Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government is unlikely to serve its full term, set to end in early 2029, according to a YouGov poll for Welt am Sonntag published on Saturday. According to the poll, 37% of respondents see it as "very unlikely" that»»»
Hezbollah Condemns Homs Mosque Attack, Calls for Justice and Harsh Punishment of Perpetrators
Hezbollah’s Islamic Resistance in Lebanon strongly condemned the terrorist attack targeting worshippers at the Imam Ali Mosque in the Syrian city of Homs, which claimed the lives of several people and wounded dozens. In a statement issued on Saturday, the group denounced the assault as a “heinous c»»»