Authorities rescued 108 migrants from a wooden boat on Sunday about 41 nautical miles south of Gavdos, the southernmost Greek island. The migrants were initially spotted and picked up by a passing ship flying the Liberian flag before being transferred safely to the port of Paleochora on Crete, the »»»

Thousands of Syrian Alawites took to the streets in coastal and central parts of the country on Sunday to protest, two days after a mosque bombing that killed eight. The attack, which took place in an Alawite area of Homs, was only the latest against the religious minority, which has been the targe»»»

The revolution will not be televised, but it might have webbed feet and bulging eyes. It also might have a unicorn's horn or a chicken's feathers. As protests against the Trump administration continue in US cities, demonstrators are adopting the energy of a community costume parade or block party. »»»

Sofia is fully prepared for the introduction of the euro on January 1, 2026, with no hidden price hikes and even lower costs for public transport, Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev announced on Facebook. The municipal administration has approved a set of amendments to local regulations related to the euro »»»

Dubai: Pakistan has secured a historic labour quota from Italy, paving the way for 10,500 Pakistani workers to gain employment in Europe over the next three years. The agreement marks Italy as the first European country to offer a dedicated job allocation specifically for Pakistan, officials announ»»»

‎Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba,‎ participated in the official reception and memorial ceremony held at the Tripoli headquarters of the Ministry of Defence yesterday in honour of the late Field Marshal Mohamed Al-Haddad ‎‎and his comrades, who were killed in a over Ankara»»»

Doha, Qatar: Organizers of the Lusail Boulevard fireworks show clarified that the event taking place on Wednesday, December 31, will be open to families only. Lusail City has also unveiled a detailed parking and transportation plan to ensure smooth mobility for spectators. In a statement, Lusail Ci»»»

The Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA), led by Mohamed Farid, announced the issuance of a specialized document under the name “Real Estate Ownership Bond Insurance.” This new model allows insurance companies to provide coverage for buyers against any risks related to the validity of ownership or »»»

Dubai: Oman has confirmed two public holidays in January 2026 to mark Accession Day and the Islamic occasion of Al Isra’a Wal Miraj, as part of a newly approved policy to announce national and religious holidays in advance each year. Under the calendar endorsed by the Council of Ministers, Thursday»»»

Palm Beach: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will sit down Sunday with Donald Trump and seek to secure the US president’s stamp of approval for a new proposal to end the nearly four-year conflict with Russia. The 20-point plan, which emerged from weeks of intense US-Ukraine negotiations, lack»»»

Bulgaria will become the 21st country to adopt the euro on Thursday, but some believe the move could bring higher prices and add to instability in the European Union's poorest country. A protest campaign emerged this year to "keep the Bulgarian lev", playing on public fears of price rises and a gen»»»

Sharjah: The Sharjah Indian School is grieving the devastating loss of Aisha Mariyam, a 17-year-old Indian expat student in the UAE, who died of cardiac arrest on Thursday, leaving her school community in shock and sorrow while most of them are away on vacation. Aisha, a grade 11 student, was known»»»

Farmers in Bulgaria must decide on their income tax regime by January 5, 2026, the National Revenue Agency (NRA) has announced. Normally, the deadline for making this choice is December 31 of the preceding year, but since the last day of 2025 falls on a public holiday, farmers have until January 5 »»»

In a progressive display of economic resilience, the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) reported a significant rise in its net foreign assets (NFA), reaching LE 520.121 billion by the end of October. This marks an increase from LE 505.074 billion at the end of September, as per the latest data released by»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, replacing the leva (BGN) at a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR, the country faces a complex landscape of price adjustments across various sectors. This comprehensive analysis examines which prices are rising, which are falling, an»»»

In the municipality of Pavlikeni, residents will primarily rely on post offices to convert their lev savings into euros once the new year begins. The municipal center hosts only a single bank branch, limiting local banking options. In Byala Cherkva, the situation is more restrictive: the only bank »»»

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police has unveiled its operational strategy to safeguard New Year's Eve celebrations throughout the emirate as 2026 approaches. Working alongside strategic partners, the force aims to maintain public safety while ensuring efficient traffic management during one of the year's b»»»

President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi has stressed the importance of following up the State’s plan to develop remote areas including Upper Egypt with the aim of developing them economically and upgrading their citizens living standards. President Sisi met last Sunday with Investment Minister Ashraf Salman»»»

Dubai: Sharjah Airport has announced comprehensive preparations to accommodate the expected influx of passengers during the winter holiday season, rolling out enhanced operational measures to ensure seamless travel experiences. The airport is urging travellers to arrive at least three hours before »»»

Tunis, Dec. 28 (TAP)- The weather on Sunday is cloudy in most regions with scattered showers and rain storms in northern and eastern coasts, the National Institute of Meteorology said. Highs are forecast to reach 11°C in western heights and range...»»»

Russia has extended the temporary ban on gasoline and fuel exports, including producers and intermediaries, until the end of next February, the Russian news agency Interfax said, citing a government website. “The new decree extended the temporary ban on the export of gasoline outside the country un»»»

The United Arab Emirates has welcomed the United Nations assessment mission to the city of El Fasher in Sudan, describing it as an important step toward restoring humanitarian access to civilians who have endured months of siege and deprivation. The United States also welcomed the efforts of all pa»»»

Greece is facing strong to gale-force northwesterly winds on Sunday, particularly in northern regions and parts of the Aegean, according to a weather warning issued by the National Meteorological Service. Winds are expected to reach 8 to 9 on the Beaufort scale in central Macedonia, including the T»»»

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi on Saturday set out firm red lines against any attempts to impose a new military reality in the eastern provinces of Hadhramaut and al-Mahra, warning that developments there are not a political disagreement but a calculated course of »»»

Sofia, Bulgaria: Ancient rock art, a patron saint and a monk will be emblazoned on euro coins from Thursday, when Bulgaria joins the single currency. The motifs are already on the lev, the currency Bulgaria adopted 1881 and which is named after an archaic word meaning "lion". Rider of independence »»»

Saudi security authorities arrested 18,877 people for residency, labour and border-related violations during a nationwide inspection campaign carried out over one week, the Ministry of Interior said on Saturday. The arrests were made between December 18 and December 24 as part of joint operations i»»»

Kuwait’s Interior Ministry has rolled out two new electronic services designed to streamline the issuance and transfer of Article 18 residency permits, Kuwait’s news agency, KUNA, reported. The services, launched by the ministry’s General Department of Information Systems in coordination with the G»»»

BusinessEuropeGerman company to sell more refurbished appliancesMathilda Jordanova-DudaThe second-hand smartphone market has grown significantly in recent years, but other, bulkier items like washing machines are less frequently refurbished and resold. That could soon be changing. https://p.dw.com/»»»

Dubai: If you are planning a trip to the beach this Sunday, December 28, you may want to exercise caution. The National Center of Meteorology (NCM) has issued a warning regarding rough sea conditions triggered by powerful winds across the UAE. Rough sea and high wavesOffshore conditions are expecte»»»

Voters went to the polls Sunday for the initial phase of Myanmar ’s first general election in five years, held under the supervision of its military government while a civil war rages throughout much of the country. Final results will not be known until after two more rounds of voting are completed»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO and EU countries using anti-Russian propaganda cannot join any potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, while Germany's direct military involvement risks dragging it into foreign conflict, Steffen Kotre, a Bundestag member of the Alternative for Germany party, told Sputnik»»»

Farmers resumed nationwide road blockades after most protests were temporarily eased during the Christmas holiday period, escalating pressure ahead of a nationwide farmers’ conference expected in the coming days. The renewed actions have again disrupted key transport routes, even as divisions emerg»»»

A media report published in South Korea has revealed traces of financial transactions between Iran’s regime and North Korea, both US-sanctioned states, signaling the two countries’ increasing use of non-traditional financial tools to circumvent restrictions on their banking systems. According to bl»»»

Doha, Qatar: Cupping therapy continues to gain attention as a complementary medical practice, particularly during the winter season when many people experience a rise in respiratory and immune-related illnesses. Speaking on this topic, Dr. Maysoun Al-Abbadi, a cupping therapy specialist and a membe»»»

Doha, Qatar : Under the patronage of His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the 17th edition of the Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) will commence on Thursday, January 1, and continue until the 24th. The festival is supported by the Social and Sports Activitie»»»

Dubai: The UAE’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research has introduced a sweeping overhaul of its accreditation service for institutions offering professional qualifications, significantly reducing processing times and procedural requirements as part of the government’s “Zero Bureaucr»»»

A growing number of countries are rejecting Israel's recognition of Somalia’s breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation, the first by any country in more than 30 years. A joint statement by more than 20 mostly Middle Eastern or African countries and the Organization of Islamic Coopera»»»

Tangiers: Sadio Mane’s equaliser earned 2022 champions Senegal a 1-1 draw with the Democratic Republic of Congo in their heavyweight Africa Cup of Nations clash yesterday. Cedric Bakambu had given the Leopards the lead just after the hour mark in Tangiers but Al Nassr forward Mane replied soon afte»»»

London: Arsenal responded to the pressure applied by Manchester City by beating Brighton 2-1 to retake top spot in the Premier League after Rayan Cherki inspired Pep Guardiola’s side to victory at Nottingham Forest. Florian Wirtz scored his first Liverpool goal as the Reds beat Wolves 2-1 on an emo»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) is expanding the utility of its artificial intelligence-powered assistant, Saif, to help residents, inventors, businesses, and intellectual property stakeholders navigate the nation’s patent rights system with greater ease and clarity. The M»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has renewed its call for photographers and visual storytellers to take part in the “Agricultural Lens of Qatar” photography competition, inviting the public to capture the beauty, innovation, and sustainability of local farms through the camera lens. The co»»»

Doha, Qatar: The all-new MG RX9 premium SUV combines elegant design, advanced technology, and powerful driving performance. It represents the next level of luxurious SUV experience, dedicated for modern lifestyle suitable for both city and outdoor use. The MG RX9 and the full line-up of MG cars are»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Department of Education and Knowledge (ADEK) has introduced a detailed framework of administrative violations and financial penalties governing private schools and partnership schools, outlining 42 types of offences related to school policies, with fines starting at Dh5,000»»»

Deep in Iraq's southern desert, bulldozers and earthmovers spread layers of moist clay over sand dunes as part of a broader effort to fight increasingly frequent sandstorms. Iraq has long suffered from sand and dust storms, but in recent years they have become more frequent and intense as the count»»»

Doha, Qatar: World No.1 Magnus Carlsen suffered his first loss at the World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, while Vladislav Artemiev and Hans Moke Niemann of the US shared the lead at the end of nine games at the Qatar University’s Sports and Events Complex yesterday. Norway’s Carlsen, aiming »»»

The piercing pop-pop of pickleball paddles starts before sunrise and ends after midnight at dozens of newly built courts across Hanoi, as residents relish one of Vietnam's fastest-growing sports -- or rage at the noise it makes. The initial craze saw more people in Vietnam pick up a paddle per capi»»»

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has said that the conflict between his country and Western powers is not on the nuclear program but opposition to Iranian plans on the international order. He framed the confrontation as resistance to an “unjust global order and the system of domination.” The prob»»»

Doha, Qatar: The volume of mortgage transactions of Qatar’s real estate sector registered 115 transactions worth QR3.760bn in November this year. Doha Municipality registered the highest number of mortgage transactions with 45 (equivalent to 39.1 percent) of the total number of mortgaged properties»»»

Doha, Qatar: Oil prices settled more than 2 percent lower on Friday as investors weighed the prospect of a global supply glut, while also monitoring the possibility of a Ukraine peace deal ahead of talks this weekend between the presidents of Ukraine and the United States. Brent crude futures settl»»»

Doha, Qatar: Mohamed Bader Sayyar scored a brace as Al Shahania resumed the Qatar Stars League (QSL) in emphatic fashion, pulling off a major upset by thrashing table-toppers Al Gharafa 3-0 at Al Khor Stadium yesterday. Al Gharafa came into the match as firm favourites, aiming to extend their four-»»»