Iran 2025: When Diplomacy Advanced Under the Shadow of Deterrence
Batoul Wehbe Between negotiation tables and confrontation arenas, between active diplomacy and attempts to derail it by force, the Islamic Republic of Iran moved through 2025 in one of the most sensitive and consequential years of its contemporary history. It was a year defined by the management of»»»
Turkish raid on alleged ISIS safe house leaves 3 police dead, 9 injured - UPI.com
President of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoğan holds a press conference at the 2025 G20 Leaders Summit on November 23 in Johannesburg, South Africa. On Monday, three Turkish police officers were killed in a raid on an Islamic State safe house. Nine police were injured, and six militants were killed. File»»»
China condemns Israel's recognition of Somaliland as independent state
China has joined the chorus of countries staunchly condemning Israel's recognition of the breakaway state of Somaliland as an independent nation. "No country should encourage or support other countries' internal separatist forces for its own selfish interests," foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jia»»»
US-Israeli Enemey Rift Over Gaza’s Future: Reconstruction Not Netanyahu’s Priority
A growing divergence between Washington and “Tel Aviv” has emerged over the future of Gaza, with Zionist Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly taking a dismissive stance toward the territory’s reconstruction, according to political analyst and White House correspondent Ariel Kahane of Israel»»»
Russian energy: Taiwan's hidden risk in a China conflict? – DW – 12/29/2025
BusinessTaiwanRussian energy: Taiwan's hidden risk in a China conflict?Arthur SullivanDespite vows to cut back, Russian hydrocarbons continue flowing to Taiwan, making it Moscow's biggest buyer of the naphta derivative, and raising concerns over energy dependence. https://p.dw.com/p/55cjOTaiwan con»»»
Damascus sends condolences to Ankara over Yalova ISIS clashes
Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) The Syrian Ministry of Interior expressed its deep condolences and sympathy to the Republic of Turkey following the martyrdom of three Turkish police officers during clashes with the ISIS terrorist organization in Yalova, which also resulted in the killing of six ISIS membe»»»
Netanyahu to meet Trump in Florida for talks on Gaza, Iran
Palm Beach: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet Donald Trump in Florida on Monday, with the US president pushing to move to the next stage of his fragile Gaza truce plan. Netanyahu is also expected to try to shift some focus onto Iran, amid reports he will call for more US strikes o»»»
Global experience to Syria, currency reform as a gate way to economic recovery
Damascus, Dec. 29 (SANA) The Central Bank of Syria’s announcement of a new currency and the removal of two zeros from its nominal value underscores that currency reform is not an isolated measure or a temporary procedure, but part of a broader, integrated economic strategy.Central Bank Governor Abd»»»
Trump to meet Netanyahu in Florida as focus turns to Middle East issues
US President Donald Trump will turn his focus to the Middle East on Monday, as he hosts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Florida for talks that are expected to cover Gaza and a range of other pressing issues. Any decisions made could have a potentially momentous impact on questions that»»»
Official says 6 Islamic State militants, 3 police officers killed in clash in northwest Turkey
Islamic State militants clashed with police in northwest Turkey on Monday, leaving three police officers and six militants dead, Turkey’s interior minister said. At least eight other police officers and a night guard were wounded. The shooting occurred in Elmali district in Yalova province, south o»»»
Increase in investments registered in Kyrgyzstan— China tops the list - | 24.KG
According to the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic, foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the first six months of 2025 amounted to $562.7 million, compared to $462.2 million in the same period in 2024, marking a 21.7 percent increase year-on-year. Ravshanbek Sabirov, Head o»»»
'There are many challenges': Syrians in Turkey consider return after fall of Assad
The pull of home can be strong – even when it is a place you can't remember. That is how it is for Ahmed, 18. He emerges from a mosque in the heart of Gaziantep in south-east Turkey - not far from the Syrian border - wearing a black T-shirt with "Syria" written on the front. His family fled his hom»»»
Chief of Staff Haddad’s body returned from Turkey to Tripoli for an official reception, memorial ceremony and burial
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»»»
African Union and Somalia denounce Israel's recognition of Somaliland
The African Union and Somalia denounced Israel's announcement on Friday that it viewed Somaliland as an "independent and sovereign state". Israel is the first country to recognise Somaliland, which declared independence from Somalia in 1991. Somalia and the African Union reacted angrily on Fr»»»
Somalia, African nations denounce Israeli recognition of Somaliland
Somalia and the African Union reacted angrily after Israel became the first country to formally recognize the northern region of Somaliland as an independent state. Somaliland declared independence from Somalia in 1991 and has pushed for international recognition for decades, with president Abdirah»»»
Japan okays $58B defense budget amid tensions with China - UPI.com
The Japanese government on Friday approved a record $58 billion to bolster its coastal defenses and improve its long-distance strike capabilities. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Dec. 26 (UPI) -- The Japanese government on Friday approved a record $58 billion defense budget for the 202»»»
Israel becomes the first nation to recognize the Republic of Somaliland - UPI.com
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday made Israel the first U.N. member state to formally recognize the independent Republic of Somaliland. File Photo by Ronen Zvulun/UPI | License Photo Dec. 26 (UPI) -- Israel on Friday became the first U.N. member state to formally recognize the Rep»»»
Israel recognises Somaliland as independent state, Netanyahu says
Israel has become the first country to formally recognise Somalia's breakaway region of Somaliland as an independent nation. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said Israel intended to immediately expand cooperation in agriculture, health, and technology. Somaliland's president, Abdirahman Mohamed A»»»
Turkey: Terrorist bombing in Homs is a clear provocation aimed at destabilizing Syria
Ankara , Dec. 26 (SANA) The Turkish Presidency condemned the terrorist bombing that targeted a mosque in the city of Homs, affirming that it was a clear provocation intended to destabilize Syria and the region. “We received with deep sorrow the news of the treacherous terrorist attack that targeted»»»
'We fled a war-torn country but found a family'
A Syrian refugee family that resettled in the West Midlands shares how they found kinship in the friendship of strangers. Khaled loved his job working at the department of water management in Syria. His wife, Bushra, spent her days teaching primary school children, while evenings were for maqluba a»»»
Farmers expected to escalate blockades of roads and border crossings
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»»»
Turkey condemns terrorist attack in Homs, reaffirms support for Syria
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»»»
Syria Kurds chief says 'all efforts' being made to salvage deal with Damascus
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 »»»
Turkish authorities say they have arrested suspected IS member planning New Year’s attacks
Turkish authorities said Friday that they have apprehended a suspected member of the extremist Islamic State group who was planning attacks on New Year’s celebrations. State-run Anadolu Agency reported that Ibrahim Burtakucin was captured in a joint operation carried out by police and the National »»»
Turkey detains dozens of IS suspects planning attacks on Christmas and New Year celebrations
Istanbul police launched scores of simultaneous raids on Thursday, detaining over a hundred suspected members of the militant Islamic State group who were allegedly planning attacks against Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, authorities said. A statement from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecuto»»»
Turkey recovers black box from Libya army chief’s fatal plane crash
Turkish authorities said on Wednesday they had recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from a private jet crash near Ankara that killed Libya’s armed forces chief Mohammed al-Haddad and four aides. The devices will be analysed in a neutral country, the transport minister said, as inve»»»
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»»»
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 »»»
Turkish police arrest 115 ISIS members to thwart Christmas, New Year attacks - UPI.com
Istanbul officials on Thursday announced they detained 115 suspected members of ISIS who were planning terror attacks in Turkey aimed at mostly non-Muslim people at Christmas and New Year events, such as the Christmas mass at Saint Antuan Church pictured in 2022. File Photo by Erdem Sahin/EPA Dec. »»»
Last Christians gather in ruins of Turkey’s quake-hit Antakya
Antakya: Saint Peter’s, one of the world’s oldest rock churches, is a sacred rallying point for the isolated Christians still left in quake-hit Antakya in southeastern Turkey, the city known in ancient times as Antioch. “Since the earthquake, our community has scattered,” said worshipper Mari Ibri.»»»
Turkey arrests 115 IS suspects 'planning New Year's attacks'
Turkish authorities say they have disrupted planned attacks on Christmas and New Year's events after arresting more than 100 suspected members of the so-called Islamic State group. Mass raids were carried out at 124 addresses across Istanbul, the capital's chief prosecutor said, with firearms, ammu»»»
Christmas Day in Bulgaria: A Celebration of Family and Feast
After the quiet, meatless traditions of Christmas Eve, Christmas Day in Bulgaria bursts into life with joy, abundance, and the unmistakable aroma of roasting meat filling homes across the country. December 25th, known as Коледа (Koleda), transforms the solemn fasting into a full-blown celebration w»»»
French Christmas traditions, from foie gras to oysters and the bûche de Noël
Christmas dinner in France makes good on a promise to dine very well, offering everything from extravagant seafood platters to sweet treats such as the traditional Yule log cake (or bûche de Noël). Here are some of the delicacies you might find at a traditional French holiday feast. »»»
Bad loans low across Emerging Europe, but report flags early warning signs
Bad loan levels across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe (CESEE) remain close to historic lows despite mounting economic and geopolitical headwinds, but early warning indicators point to rising stress in commercial real estate, small businesses and household credit, according to a new report pu»»»
COMMENT: The EU’s Reparation Loan vote needs to fail
The EU’s vote on the Reparation Loan needs to fail. If it passes it will kill off any chance of a peace deal being signed. The US version of the plan is well advanced and special envoy to Ukraine retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg said last week that only points remain to be agreed. The EU ve»»»
Europe faced record wildfire season in 2025 after worse than average 2024
Europe’s wildfire crisis is intensifying, with 2025 on track to be the worst year on record, following a 2024 season that was already above the 17-year average, according to a report published on December 8 by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). »»»
Bad loans low across Emerging Europe, but report flags early warning signs
Bad loan levels across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe (CESEE) remain close to historic lows despite mounting economic and geopolitical headwinds, but early warning indicators point to rising stress in commercial real estate, small businesses and household credit, according to a new report pu»»»
Europe faced record wildfire season in 2025 after worse than average 2024
Europe’s wildfire crisis is intensifying, with 2025 on track to be the worst year on record, following a 2024 season that was already above the 17-year average, according to a report published on December 8 by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC). »»»
Bad loans low across Emerging Europe, but report flags early warning signs
Bad loan levels across Central, Eastern and Southeast Europe (CESEE) remain close to historic lows despite mounting economic and geopolitical headwinds, but early warning indicators point to rising stress in commercial real estate, small businesses and household credit, according to a new report pu»»»
Turkey recovers black box from jet crash that killed Libyan army chief
Turkey recovered the black box and cockpit voice recorder from wreckage of a private jet that crashed near Ankara on December 24, killing Libya's army chief and others on board, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on December 24. »»»
COMMENT: The EU’s Reparation Loan vote needs to fail
The EU’s vote on the Reparation Loan needs to fail. If it passes it will kill off any chance of a peace deal being signed. The US version of the plan is well advanced and special envoy to Ukraine retired Lieutenant General Keith Kellogg said last week that only points remain to be agreed. The EU ve»»»
Oman expands visa-free travel in diplomatic and tourism push
Oman has expanded visa-free travel arrangements for diplomats and tourists as part of a broader effort to ease mobility, boost tourism and strengthen regional ties, government statements and regional media reported. The mo»»»
Iraq launches first international transit shipment under TIR system
Iraq's General Commission for Customs received its first international transit shipment from Iran through Shalamcheh border crossing en route to Kuwait via Safwan crossing under the International Road Transport (TIR) system using internationally approved electronic tracking and locking systems, Al-»»»
Iraq launches first international transit shipment under TIR system
Iraq's General Commission for Customs received its first international transit shipment from Iran through Shalamcheh border crossing en route to Kuwait via Safwan crossing under the International Road Transport (TIR) system using internationally approved electronic tracking and locking systems, Al-»»»
Oman expands visa-free travel in diplomatic and tourism push
Oman has expanded visa-free travel arrangements for diplomats and tourists as part of a broader effort to ease mobility, boost tourism and strengthen regional ties, government statements and regional media reported. The mo»»»
Turkey recovers black box from jet crash that killed Libyan army chief
Turkey recovered the black box and cockpit voice recorder from wreckage of a private jet that crashed near Ankara on December 24, killing Libya's army chief and others on board, Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated on December 24. »»»
Oman expands visa-free travel in diplomatic and tourism push
Oman has expanded visa-free travel arrangements for diplomats and tourists as part of a broader effort to ease mobility, boost tourism and strengthen regional ties, government statements and regional media reported. The mo»»»
Search teams in Turkey recover recorders after plane crash that killed Libyan military officials
Ankara: Search teams in Turkey on Wednesday recovered the cockpit voice and flight data recorders from a jet crash that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, while efforts to retrieve the victims’ remains were still underway, Turkey’s interior minister said. The private jet»»»
Turkey Ready to Support Gaza’s International Stabilization Force, Advance Peace Plan Until 2027 - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Turkey Ready to Support Gaza’s International Stabilization Force, Advance Peace Plan Until 2027 06-12-2025 19:22 PM Turkish Foreign Ministe»»»
Four-Nation Meeting in Miami Reviews Implementation of Gaza Deal’s First Phase, Path to Second - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Four-Nation Meeting in Miami Reviews Implementation of Gaza Deal’s First Phase, Path to Second 20-12-2025 18:10 PM Turkey’s Foreign Ministr»»»