Trump says US launched 'numerous' deadly strikes on Daesh in Nigeria
The United States has carried out a military strike against Daesh (ISIS) militants in north-west Nigeria at the request of the Nigerian government, according to statements from US President Donald Trump and the US military. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Thursday, Trump confirmed that th»»»
Dubai traffic: Smooth roads but police urge caution
The roads in Dubai International Financial Centre remain clogged. But other than a few other bottlenecks around Dubai – such as D86 – routes are clear. On Friday, Dec 26, driving in Dubai and Sharjah remains a smooth activity. However, Dubai Police has called on people to not allow the holiday mood»»»
Land for KRSU campus in Chui region reclassified as residential area - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has adopted a resolution to transform a land plot in Alamedin district of Chui region for the construction of a campus of the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after Boris Yeltsin (KRSU). The decision concerns a 27.82-hectare site located in Baytik Baatyr»»»
Some public services become free as Cabinet amends unified register - | 24.KG
The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has introduced amendments to its resolution on the Unified Register of Public Services provided by state bodies and their departmental institutions. The decision was made to improve the accessibility and quality of public services for individuals and legal ent»»»
Leaders Al Gharafa aim to maintain momentum as QSL resumes
Doha, Qatar: Table-toppers Al Gharafa will look to continue their fine run in the Qatar Stars League (QSL) when they face Al Shahania tomorrow, as the top flight resumes following a break of over a month. Pedro Martins’ side secured a four-point lead at the top of the table before the league pause,»»»
Russian Soyuz-2.1a launches from Plesetsk — Defense Ministry
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia’s Aerospace Forces launched a Soyuz-2.1a medium-class carrier rocket with a Defense Ministry spacecraft from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome in Russia’s Arkhangelsk region on December 25, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense. The Russian Ministry of Defense said the launch»»»
Gold prices hit record highs in Dubai. Is there any relief ahead for buyers?
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»»»
Japan govt approves record 122 trillion yen budget
Tokyo: The Japanese government on Friday approved a record budget for the upcoming fiscal year, to pay for everything from bigger defence spending to ballooning social security costs as inflation persists. The 122.3-trillion-yen ($782 billion) budget for the fiscal year from April 2026 will include»»»
Trump-backed Nasry Asfura declared winner of Honduras presidency
Conservative businessman Nasry Asfura, backed by Donald Trump, was declared the winner of Honduras' presidential election on Wednesday, three weeks after a vote marked by a very narrow margin and allegations of fraud, signaling a return to conservatism for the country. The US president had given hi»»»
California declares state of emergency as Christmas storms threaten flash floods
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»»»
Deadly Christmas storm pummels California — flash floods, mudslides and emergency declarations
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»»»
UK, Canada, Germany and others condemn Israel’s West Bank settlement expansion
The UK, Canada, Germany and several other countries on Wednesday condemned Israel’s decision to approve 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, saying the move violated international law and risked fuelling further instability, and calling on the Israeli government to reverse the decision. Fo»»»
Several killed in blast at mosque in northeast Nigeria
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 vote under tight security in first local elections in decades
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»»»
'Symbol of hope': Exiled Bangladesh opposition leader and PM hopeful Rahman returns ahead of polls
Bangladesh opposition leader Tarique Rahman returned home on Thursday after 17 years in exile, welcomed by huge crowds. The aspiring prime minister positioned himself for February’s elections, promising safety, justice and unity after months of political unrest. Aspiring prime minister and politica»»»
The EU laws reining in big tech and fighting disinformation – but angering Trump
The Trump administration took its fight with the EU over tech regulation to a new level this week, denying visas to five Europeans and accusing them of seeking to censor "American viewpoints". All five have been instrumental in EU efforts to counter hate speech and disinformation online.&»»»
Ukraine fires Storm Shadows, drones at Russia’s energy facilities
Ukraine launched British-made Storm Shadow missiles and domestically produced drones to strike Russian energy facilities, hitting the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery and setting ablaze two oil storage tanks at the southern port of Temryuk, where flames spread over about 2,000 square metres, officials s»»»
French Christmas traditions: festivities that continue well into the New Year
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 speaks of Gaza's suffering, urges direct talks on Ukraine war in first Christmas blessing
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 »»»
Why did Hezbollah lose the War? – Ya Libnan
Share: Posters of Hezbollah’s slain leaders Hassan Nasrallah (L) and Hashem Safieddine are placed amid destruction caused by Israeli strikes against the Iran backed- group in the southern Lebanese city of Nabatieh on December 4, 2024. (Mahmoud Zayyat/AFP) By: Naji Al Boustani After a long period of»»»
Kyrgyzstan to produce system units for personal computers - | 24.KG
Kyrgyzstan will begin producing system units for personal computers. Trade Representative of Russia to Kyrgyzstan Ainur Samanov told journalists. According to him, Russian investments are focused on strategic sectors, with energy remaining one of the key areas. He recalled that several projects are»»»
Osh City Hall roof to be turned into solar power plant - | 24.KG
Solar panels are being installed on the roof of the Osh City Hall building, the City Hall’s press service reported. The project was initiated by Osh Mayor Zhenishbek Toktorbaev. As part of the work, 320 solar panels with a total capacity of 100 kilowatts are being installed on the roof of the munic»»»
Ankara detains over 100 people with suspected links to Islamic terror group
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 »»»
Nature in focus: 2025’s most striking moments from the wild
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»»»
‘Papa, I can’t bear the pain’: 44-year-old Indian man dies after 8-hour hospital wait in Canada
A 44-year-old Indian-origin man, Prashant Sreekumar, died of suspected cardiac arrest after reportedly waiting more than eight hours in the emergency room at Grey Nuns Hospital in southeast Edmonton, Canada, media reports said. Sreekumar began experiencing severe chest pain while at work on Decembe»»»
Dubai Court: Insurer must pay Dh93,450 for traffic accident damages
Dubai A Dubai Civil Court has ordered an insurance company to pay Dh93,450, plus 5 per cent legal interest until full settlement, following a traffic accident that caused significant damage to a vehicle. The dispute arose between two insurance companies after a collision in which liability was esta»»»
‘Merry Christmas to all’: Trump says US launched ‘deadly’ strikes on ISIS targets in Nigeria
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»»»
Winter storm could affect post-Christmas travel in the Northeast U.S. - UPI.com
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»»»
UAE petrol, diesel prices for January 2026: Will you see a rise or fall at the pump?
Dubai: Fuel prices in the UAE for January 2026 will be announced in the coming days. Global oil markets have moved slightly higher at the end of December, and this could influence what drivers pay in the new month. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Super 98 rose from Dh2»»»
With New Year around the corner, here’s what hotels across the UAE really cost
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»»»
India's solar boom faces a hidden waste problem
India's rapid solar energy expansion is widely hailed as a success. But without a plan to manage the waste it will generate, how clean is the transition? In just over a decade, India has become the world's third-largest solar producer, with renewables now central to its climate strategy. Solar pane»»»
Indonesians raise white flags as anger grows over slow flood aid
For weeks now, angry and distressed residents in Indonesia's westernmost province have been raising white flags over, the state's slow response to a series of deadly floods. Triggered by a rare cyclone in November, the deluge killed more than 1,000 people and displaced hundreds of thousands across »»»
Hamas denies responsibility for Rafah blast
Hamas has denied responsibility for a bomb blast that struck an Israeli armored vehicle in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, and has asked the international community to put pressure on Israel to comply with a ceasefire agreement. The US-brokered ceasefire, which took effect in Gaza on October 10, ca»»»
North Korea shows off its first nearly-complete nuclear submarine (PHOTO)
Pyongyang has shared new images of its first nearly completed nuclear-powered strategic missile submarine as North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally inspected the vessel. Kim hailed its construction as an “epoch-making crucial change,” the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Thursday. »»»
Zelensky hails 'new ideas' on peace after talks with US envoys
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has given a positive assessment of a conversation he had with US envoys on how to end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky said Thursday's call with Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, which lasted nearky an hour, had yielded "new ideas in terms of formats, meetings,»»»
Trump ballroom plans to undergo review in January - UPI.com
The National Capital Planning Commission will review the Trump administration's plans to modernize the White House's East Wing, including ballroom construction, during a Jan. 8 meeting. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 25 (UPI) -- The National Capital Planning Commission has added»»»
Msheireb Properties, U Events partner to showcase Al Jazeera Orchestra at Barahat Msheireb
Tribune News Network Doha Msheireb Properties and U Events have announced a cultural partnership that will bring the acclaimed Al Jazeera Orchestra & Choir to Barahat Msheireb for a two-night musical premiere. Scheduled for January 15 and 16, 2026, from 8:00 pm to 10:00 pm, the Baraha Musical Conce»»»
‘MoM seeks to transform cleanliness froma service into a way of life and culture’
QNA Doha The Public Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality organised the first National Forum on Public Cleanliness on Thursday, under the slogan ‘Towards a Clean, Smart and Sustainable City,’ with broad participation from government agencies, private sector partners, universities, »»»
Ooredoo’s eSIM solution to advance IoT connectivity
Tribune News Network Doha Ooredoo Qatar, the nation’s leading telecommunications provider, has announced the launch of its new eSIM solution for Internet of Things (IoT) Devices, developed to support enterprises in simplifying device management, enhancing security, and scaling IoT operations across»»»
Polish Air Force intercepts Russian military aircraft over Baltic Sea - UPI.com
The Polish Air Force scrambled fighter jets to intercept a Russian military reconnaissance aircraft near Polish airspace over the Baltic Sea on Thursday amid heightened tensions in Eastern Europe. Photo by Jakub Karczmarczyk/EPA Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Polish Air Force fighters intercepted a Russian milit»»»
Tensions with Venezuela are skyrocketing. So why is oil so cheap?
Dubai: Oil prices barely moved in Christmas Eve trading as thin holiday volumes and mixed supply signals kept markets cautious, even as geopolitical friction rose between the United States and Venezuela. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) slipped three cents to trade near $58 a barrel, ending a five-day»»»
Qatar to host FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025
Doha, Qatar: The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships 2025 get underway in Doha on Friday, with Qatar hosting the elite global event until December 30. The tournament brings together the world's leading players to compete for four world titles in rapid and blitz chess across the men's and women»»»
Coldest Christmas Day in Athens was in 1909, climate report says
The coldest Christmas Day in Greece occurred in 1909 (based on the Julian calendar used at the time) according to the records of the historic climate station of the National Observatory of Athens (NOA), permanently stationed at the Nymphs Hill in the Thissio area that has been providing valuable in»»»
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»»»
Economic fabric: IACE calls for new productive pact
Tunis, Dec 25 (TAP) - The Arab Institute of Business Leaders (IACE) called for the establishment of a new productive pact, aimed at rebuilding an entrepreneurial model grounded in competitiveness, transparency, and sustainability. In the first...»»»
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»»»