Doha: Weather, inshore, until 6am on Saturday will see cold, scattered clouds and hazy becomes misty to foggy at places by late night, the Department of Meteorology said in its daily weather report, warning of poor visibility at places by late night. Offshore, it will be hazy with scattered clouds »»»

Putrajaya, Malaysia: A Malaysian judge sentenced former prime minister Najib Razak to 15 more years in jail on Friday after convicting him of abuse of power and money laundering in a sovereign wealth fund graft scandal. Najib was also fined 11.4 billion ringgit ($2.8 billion) for his role in the pl»»»

Marrakesh, Morocco: Veteran Knowledge Musona scored as Zimbabwe came from behind to draw 1-1 with Angola in Marrakesh on Friday as the second round of Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) group matches kicked off. Gelson Dala put Angola ahead midway through the first half and recalled Musona levelled deep»»»

Tokyo: Japan's broader Topix index reached an all-time high on Friday as investor concerns over the country's debt levels eased. The Topix climbed 0.5% in early trading to 3,436.75, marking its highest level ever during a trading session. Meanwhile, the Nikkei 225, Japan's benchmark index, rose 0.9»»»

Damascus, Dec. 26 (SANA) Syria’s Central Bank Governor, Abdelkader Husrieh, announced Thursday that the nationwide exchange of old banknotes for new ones will begin on January 1. The process will be carried out through 66 companies and 1,000 dedicated outlets across the country. Husrieh told the Sy»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE is set to see generally fair to partly cloudy weather on Saturday, with occasional cloud cover and a chance of light rain in some coastal and northern areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). In its daily forecast, the NCM said conditions will remain humid ov»»»

An explosion has killed at least eight people and injured 18 others during Friday prayers inside a mosque in the Syrian city of Homs, the health ministry has said. Pictures from Syria's state-run news agency, Sana, show the inside of the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque with black, scorched walls, sma»»»

Farmers protesting delays in European Union subsidy payments and other grievances have signaled their intention to maintain road blockades as they consider the next steps in their mobilizations. Representatives of farmers at Malgara, west of Thessaloniki, are considering blocking the Athens-bound c»»»

Ukraine is a “viper’s den” rife with corruption, Hunter Biden, the son of former US President Joe Biden, has said, as he reflected on his time as a board member of the Ukrainian energy company Burisma. Hunter Biden was hired by Burisma in 2014, when his father served as vice president in the Obama »»»

A new video released by Sharjah Police offers a stark reminder of the dangers of distracted driving. The clip opens inside the force’s high-tech Operations Center, where officers vigilantly monitor a network of smart cameras across the emirate around the clock. Also Read: Distracted driving causes »»»

A total of 17 white storks with permanent disabilities have been transferred from the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre in Stara Zagora (South Cenral Bulgaria) to two rescue centres in Italy, Green Balkans reported. This is the second such transfer of white storks to Italy, after 23 birds were s»»»

DOHA: The State of Qatar expressed its condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the city of Homs in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, which resulted in deaths and injuries. The State of Qatar also affirmed its full solidarity with the Syrian government in al»»»

Skopje, 26 December 2025 (MIA) — There will be a serious crisis and a serious rise in poverty in 2026, much worse than in 2025, SDSM leader Venko Filipche told a press conference Friday. According to him, the state will need to borrow at least an additional 2 billion euros for expenses and not for »»»

After Cabinet passed a long-awaited banking draft bill that would distribute losses from the 2019 economic crisis amid objections from nine ministers and modest protests, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam appeared a bit agitated as he answered journalists' questions. The law stipulates that each of the st»»»

Cabinet approved Friday a long-awaited banking draft bill that would distribute losses from the 2019 economic crisis. Thirteen ministers voted in favor of the financial gap law amid the objection of nine ministers: three Lebanese Forces ministers, two Hezbollah ministers, Kataeb minister Adel Nassa»»»

Skopje, 25 December 2025 (MIA) - The fight for a higher standard of life and lowering the unemployment rate is one of the Government's top priorities. We are in the stage of confirming three foreign investments worth up to EUR 120 million and opening of over 1,500 jobs, said Prime Minister Hristija»»»

Seoul government vows to triple fines for corporate data leaks. Shinhan Card headquarters in Seoul. The company has reported massive data leaks. Photo by Yonhap SEOUL, Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Shinhan Card, one of the country's top credit card issuers, reported a massive data leak Tuesday. The Seoul-based »»»

Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky has said he will meet US President Donald Trump in Florida at the weekend, as talks continue on ending Russia's full-scale war. Zelensky said he expected the meeting to take place on Sunday and to focus on a US-brokered 20-point peace plan, as well as separate proposals»»»

BELGRADE - The Serbian government Office for Kosovo-Metohija said on Friday Serb Sladjan Trajkovic had been sentenced to ten years in prison by a Pristina court without evidence or witnesses and noted that the ruling was a part of a broader plan aimed at intimidating the Serbs and expelling them fr»»»

Tripoli, Libya: The Libyan Interior Ministry said on Thursday that the Turkish chief public prosecutor and a Libyan committee investigating the crash of a plane carrying Libyan military officials have agreed to send the aircraft's black box to Germany for technical analysis. In a statement, the min»»»

Riyadh, Dec. 26 (SANA) The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the terrorist bombing that targeted the Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib Mosque in Wadi al-Dahab neighborhood of Homs on Friday. The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement: “We affirm our categorical rejection of terrorism a»»»

Assen Vassilev, leader of Continue the Change (CC) party, said during a meeting with supporters here on Friday that Bulgaria cannot become a normal country while decisions are made through “phone calls” rather than by observing the law. Vassilev emphasized the need to appoint politically neutral le»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia will repurpose advanced materials and alloys used in the Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile and Poseidon underwater drone for civilian use, including in the energy and space industries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said. "Of course, we will leverage»»»

Berlin, Germany: German Minister for Digital Affairs, Karsten Wildberger has expressed openness to introducing a ban on social media use for children, similar to recent measures adopted in Australia, the German News Agency, DPA, reported on Friday. Wildberger told DPA that restricting children's ac»»»

Ankara, Dec. 26 (SANA) Turkey strongly condemned the terrorist attack on a mosque in Homs on Friday, reaffirming its support and solidarity with Syria. The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement, “We condemn the heinous terrorist attack in Homs and extend our sincere condolences to»»»

Tunis, Dec. 26 (TAP) - A delegation from China CAMC Engineering Co., Ltd. (CAMCE), a subsidiary of China National Machinery Industry Corporation (SINOMACH) , was received on Thursday by Foreign Investment Promotion Agency (FIPA-Tunisia) Director...»»»

The US launched airstrikes against Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS) terrorists in Nigeria on Christmas Day, President Donald Trump has announced, accusing the militants of “viciously killing” Christians. Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group whose name means ‘(Western) books are forbidden,’ pledg»»»

Istanbul, Turkiye: The betting scandal in Turkish football deepened on Friday as 29 people, including 14 footballers, were arrested, the Istanbul public prosecutor's office announced. Their arrests follow the incarceration of six referees and the president of top tier club Eyupspor at the beginning»»»

President Donald Trump (R) escorts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to a meeting at the White House in Washington, DC, on August 18. Zelensky confirmed he'll have another meeting with Trump in the coming days. File Photo by Aaron Schwartz/UPI | License Photo Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Ukrainian Preside»»»

At least eight people died and 18 wounded in a blast that struck a mosque in an Alawite neighbourhood of the Homs province in Syria on Friday, according to local officials. At least eight people were killed in an explosion ⁠at a mosque of the Alawite minority sect in the Syrian city of Homs on Frid»»»

Sharjah: A 17-year-old Indian expat student in the UAE has died following a sudden cardiac arrest, her family said on Friday. The deceased has been identified as Aisha Mariam, a Grade 11 student at Sharjah Indian School. According to her family, who hails from the south Indian state of Kerala, Aish»»»

Abu Dhabi: Al Ain City Municipality has launched a new project to collect and analyse data on road conditions using smart technology. The aim is to improve road quality across the city and nearby areas, boost efficiency, and support long-term sustainability. Engineer Rashid Hamad Al Nuaimi, Directo»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) has opened 16 new public parks across the Al Shamkhah district, expanding the capital’s network of neighbourhood green spaces as part of a broader initiative to enhance urban liveability. Spread across residential areas, the parks are »»»

The warplane is among the most sought-after in Russian combat aviation, having destroyed the highest number of targets during the special military operation. A true powerhouse of the Russian Air Force, this fighter jet combines high speed and supermaneuverability with both guided and unguided weapo»»»

Moscow has made a "proposal" to France concerning the case of researcher Laurent Vinatier, who has been imprisoned in Russia since June 2024, the Kremlin said Thursday. Vinatier was sentenced by a Russian court to three years in prison for allegedly failing to register as a "foreign agent" but»»»

Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar expressed its strong condemnation and denunciation of the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the city of Homs in the sisterly Syrian Arab Republic, resulting in deaths and injuries. In this context, Qatar affirmed its full solidarity with the Syrian governme»»»

London: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is keen to ensure there is no repeat of Declan Rice's controversial red card against Brighton when his Premier League leaders face Brighton at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday. The Gunners are just two points ahead of second-placed Manchester City and Pep Guardi»»»

Israeli security forces announced on Thursday the arrest of five Israeli settlers over their alleged involvement in an attack on a Palestinian home that injured a baby girl in the occupied West Bank. The eight-month-old infant suffered "moderate injuries to the face and head" in the late Wednesday »»»

South Korean prosecutors on Friday sought a ten-year prison sentence for former President Yoon Suk Yeol, accusing him of obstruction of justice after his attempt to impose martial law last winter. The suspension of civil rule led to massive protests and weeks of political chaos in South Korea.»»»

Malaysia's High Court on Friday found former Malaysian prime minister Najib Razak guilty of all 21 counts of money laundering related to the sprawling corruption scandal involving Malaysia's sovereign wealth fund 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB). This conviction is likely to add years to the pri»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The production of weapons in high demand in Russia during the special military operation has increased exponentially since 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Friday. "Compared to 2022, the production of devices in high demand during the special military operation has »»»

Dubai: Dubai welcomed 17.55 million overnight visitors between January and November 2025, up 5% from the same period last year, according to the Dubai Economic and Tourism Department numbers. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The steady rise comes despite a more cautious»»»

Skopje, 24 December 2025 (MIA) – Ministry of Finance says it is continuing the regular payments and execution of orders submitted by budget users by Dec. 15, 2025, in line with the guidelines. “The Treasury has recently executed payments for green fuel and sheep farming subsidies, financing for Cor»»»

Geneva: The United Nations said the presidential election race in Guinea had been marked by intimidation, and urged authorities to ensure there was no fear or repression in Sunday's voting. "Ahead of Sunday's presidential election in Guinea, the civic and political space has been severely restricte»»»

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu speaks at U.N. Headquarters on September 19, 2023, in New York City. Nigeria's foreign minister said Tinubu gave the go-ahead on U.S. strikes on ISIS targets in his country. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Nigerian President Bola Tinu»»»

A major Gaza hospital has suspended several services because of a critical fuel shortage in the devastated Palestinian territory, which continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis, it said. Devastated by more than two years of war, the Al-Awda Hospital in the central Gaza district of Nuseirat ca»»»

Syrian Kurdish leader Mazloum Abdi said that "all efforts" were being made to prevent the collapse of talks on an agreement with Damascus to integrate his forces into the central government. The remarks came days after Aleppo saw deadly clashes between the two sides before their respective leaders »»»

The year 2025 entered Bulgaria’s political history as one marked by the collapse of a regular government under public pressure and by decisive steps toward eurozone membership, according to BTA. After a prolonged cycle of early parliamentary elections, a cabinet led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazk»»»

Dubai’s Event Security Committee (ESC) has confirmed that all security, organisational, and service preparations are in place for New Year’s Eve 2026, ensuring the celebrations uphold Dubai’s reputation for world-class events. The announcement was made at a press conference at Dubai Civil Defence h»»»