Dubai: Oil prices climbed sharply on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of oil tankers heading to and departing from Venezuela that are deemed to be in breach of US sanctions. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Both Brent crude and West Texas Int»»»

Dubai: The French government said on Wednesday that “a few dozen” confidential records were extracted during a cyberattack on the Interior Ministry that lasted several days, with senior officials describing the breach as serious and announcing immediate measures to strengthen cyber defences, AFP re»»»

Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said on Wednesday that Cairo plans to establish an investment hospital in Banjul staffed by Egyptian medical professionals as part of a broader effort to deepen economic and infrastructure ties with Gambia. Speaking during a meeting with his Gambian counterpa»»»

The Egyptian Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly, approved a package of major decisions during its 71st meeting, underscoring efforts to localise industry, attract foreign investment, expand clean energy, and support regional development. Chief among the approvals was the granting o»»»

Tailoring breast cancer screening to a woman's individual cancer risk might work better than annual mammograms, researchers reported in a new study. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Tailoring breast cancer screening to a woman's individual cancer risk might work better than annual mammograms, a »»»

Dec. 16 (UPI) -- A German man who earned a Guinness World Record for his collection of 6,100 snow globes in 2002 revealed his collection has now grown to 11,000 pieces. Josef Kardinal broke his own record for the largest collection of snow globes when a Guinness World Records adjudicator visited hi»»»

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov, talking to journalists in the parliamentary lobby on Wednesday, said that the best solution for the country is to adopt a completely new state budget. According to him, the current situation in parliament is absurd and unprecedented, as an attempt is being ma»»»

Doha, Qatar: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, met today in Washington with a number of members of the US Senate and House of Representatives: HE Senator Steve Daines, HE Senator Roger Wayne Marshall, HE Senator Markwayne Mullin, »»»

Speaking from Brussels, Prime Minister Orbán announced the results of one of the most successful national consultations in Hungary’s history, stressing that the clearly expressed will of Hungarian voters must serve as the guiding point for both domestic policy and Hungary’s stance in European decis»»»

Dubai: Joby Aviation said it plans to double its manufacturing capacity in the US as it prepares to scale production of its electric air taxi aircraft, targeting output of up to four aircraft per month by 2027. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The California-based compa»»»

Members of the National Guard patrol the Washington monument grounds in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 21. An appeals court ruled Wednesday that the Guard can stay in the city until the suit filed by the city is decided. File Photo by Jemal Countess/UPI | License Photo Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A federal appeals»»»

Bulgaria's Parliament on Wednesday voted, 149-38 with 12 abstentions, to pass on first reading a 2025-to-2026 Budget Extension Bill. No debate was held on the draft legislation. The votes in favour came from GERB-UDF, Continue the Change - Democratic Bulgaria, MRF - New Beginning, There Is Such a P»»»

Parliament on Wednesday passed on second reading the 2025-to-2026 Revenue Collection and Expenditures Bill, the so-called 2026 Budget Extension Bill. Earlier in the day, the bill was approved on first reading. Lawmakers adopted a proposal by Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria co-leader Assen V»»»

Bulgaria's Parliament on Wednesday adopted a 2025-to-2026 Budget Extension Bill on second reading. It was approved on first reading earlier in the day. The adopted bill regulates expenditure and revenue collection in the coming year until the adoption of a State Budget Act and the budgets of the Na»»»

Billionaire investor Jared Isaacman has been confirmed to be Nasa’s next chief, capping an unusual nomination process where President Donald Trump put his name forward, withdrew it, and then renominated him. Isaacman, a 42-year-old amateur jet pilot who became the first non-professional astronaut t»»»

The Lebanese army has uncovered a tunnel built by Hezbollah in the southern town of Touline after carrying out an excavation at the request of the ceasefire oversight committee known as the Mechanism, Lebanese media reported. The site had previously been struck by an Israeli attack, according to th»»»

DOHA:The 2025 National Day events continued on Wednesday at Darb Al Saai in the Umm Salal area, under the slogan 'With you it rises and from you it awaits', organized by the Ministry of Culture, from December 10 to 20. Darb Al Saai witnessed a large public turnout from citizens and residents, who c»»»

The Prime Minister Edi Rama is in Brussels today to take part in the EU–Western Balkans Summit, bringing together leaders from the Western Balkans and senior representatives of the European Union. Rama was received in a meeting by the President of the European Council, António Costa. The Albanian p»»»

Bulgaria's Parliament on Wednesday adopted a 2026 Budget Extension Bill on second reading. It was approved on first reading earlier in the day. The adopted bill regulates expenditure and revenue collection in the coming year until the adoption of a State Budget Act and the budgets of the National H»»»

Russia and Iran have placed significant emphasis on completing the Rasht–Astara railway — but what makes this project so critical? "Once it's finished, it will allow the Russians to import and export much larger amounts of goods through Iran," Mohammad Marandi, a professor at Tehran University, tel»»»

A woman shows coca leaves during an event for the National Day of Acullico (chewing of the plant) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in January. Then-Bolivian President Luis Arce said his countrymen have shown the world that the coca leaf 'is not cocaine, File Photo by Juan Carlos Torrejon/EPA Dec. 17 (UPI) -»»»

1 of 3 | Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., speaks during a Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on December 3. He joined House Democrats on a discharge petition to force a vote on ACA subsidies. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 1»»»

Spain is to set up a national network of climate shelters in public buildings to offer people refuge from intense heat before next summer, its prime minister has announced. The move was announced as Pedro Sanchez laid out a plan to address the impact of climate change during a conference in Madrid »»»

The National Assembly voted on Wednesday at second reading to amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act. The changes regulate the conditions for applying special VAT schemes for small enterprises, both for entities established in Bulgaria and for those established in another EU Member State. The Assembly»»»

The Russia-Pakistan Eurasian Forum concluded in Moscow on Wednesday with organizers announcing a concrete plan to deepen ties, establishing a new strategic dialogue and working groups focused on media, education, economic projects and counterterrorism. Dr. Roxolana Zigon, a co-organizer of the foru»»»

Dubai: Hotel occupancy rates in the UAE reached 79.3 per cent during the first 10 months of 2025, placing the country among the highest performers regionally and globally, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the»»»

The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is expected to begin in January, likely in the first or second week, according to Bishara Bahbah, head of the Arab Americans for Peace Committee and a mediator closely aligned with the US administration on the Gaza file. Bahbah told Asharq Al-Awsat o»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Meteorology Department issued a special weather report for Qatar National Day, Thursday, December 18, 2025. The Department stated that thunder rain was to be expected during the National Day holiday, associated with strong wind by the afternoon. “Misty at first becomes cloudy»»»

Tirana City Council has formally requested Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) and the General Directorate of Prisons to allow the capital’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, to attend in person meetings related to the consultation and detailing of the city’s draft budget for 2026. In its request, the c»»»

Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, joined Michael and Susan Dell in backing so-called Trump accounts for children of low-income families. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, are funding new investment accounts for children called Trump accounts. »»»

Outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Wednesday that he has no concerns about Bulgaria joining the eurozone because of the disputes surrounding the country’s budget for next year. He commented on this and other issues to Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where he arrived to take part in»»»

Former Albanian Prime Minister and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha convened the party’s National Council on Friday at its headquarters in Tirana, with discussions focused on the planned protest on 22 December and efforts to remove Prime Minister Edi Rama from power. According to party sources,»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic met on Wednesday with the commanders of tactical units constituting a part of the SAF ground forces to discuss the security situation in Serbia and the region, as well as plans for next year. In a closing address, Moj»»»

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces destroyed and concealed evidence of mass killings they committed after overrunning the Darfur city of el-Fasher, a new report has found. Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), which has used satellite imagery to monitor atrocities since the RSF'»»»

More than 115 Argentine unions grouped under the 'Front of Struggle for Sovereignty, Decent Work and Fair Wages' march in June toward the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation. File Photo by Adan Gonzalez/EPA BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Argentina's government is pushing a labor refor»»»

Tunis, Dec. 17 (TAP) - Temperatures on Wednesday night will be between 8 and 12°C in the western areas of the north and centre, 13 to 17°C in the rest of the regions, and may reach 19°C in the far south, according to the National Institute of...»»»

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have urged motorists to adhere to safe driving practices as rainfall and unstable weather conditions are expected over the coming days, warning that hazardous road conditions could pose risks on both internal and external roads. In a statement, the police called on drive»»»

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., speaks during a press conference after a weekly House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in March. He announced Wednesday that he won't seek re-election. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., announced Wedne»»»

Private medical establishments are not bodies governed by public law and therefore should not be included within the scope of the Public Procurement Act, says the Bulgarian Hospital Association (BHA) in an open letter sent to the European Commission, the European Parliament, the National Assembly, »»»

BELGRADE - Secretary General at the Serbian MFA Dusan Kozarev met with Pakistan's newly-appointed ambassador to Belgrade Syed Faraz Hussain Zaidi on Wednesday to discuss possibilities for advancement of bilateral relations, as well as current issues in the international arena. "With both sides reaf»»»

Dubai: Dubai is set to experience unstable weather conditions from Wednesday to Friday, with authorities warning of intermittent rainfall, strong winds and reduced visibility, according to the Dubai Government Media Office. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the office said the emirate is likely t»»»

A handful of moderate Republicans in the US House of Representatives forced a vote to extend healthcare subsidies used by millions of Americans that are set to expire at the end of the year. The House vote is slated for Wednesday evening but if it passes - which is expected - it will face an uphill»»»

Lebanese judge Tarek Bitar headed to Bulgaria on Wednesday to question a shipowner wanted in connection with a catastrophic 2020 Beirut port blast, a judicial official told AFP. The long-awaited questioning comes after a court this month refused Lebanon's request to extradite Igor Grechushkin, a 48»»»

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters pictured in February in Washington, D.C. The CDC's new policy change Tuesday allows parents of infants born to mothers who test negative for the virus to decide whether their newborns receive the vaccine, including the birth dose. »»»

In Sofia, citizens gathered in front of the Bulgarian National Bank to protest against the adoption of the euro. The demonstration is organized by the civil association Doyran 2025 and has been officially registered with the Sofia Municipality. Participants carried banners reading slogans such as “»»»

The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, approved on Wednesday the cancellation of the expat levy on foreign workers in licensed industrial establishments. The decision is based on the recommendation of the Council of Economic »»»

Tunis, Dec. 17 (TAP) - The Tunis Stock Exchange ranked first among Arab stock markets in terms of the increase in market capitalisation. Its index rose by 14.45% end of October 2025, followed by the Amman and Egyptian stock exchanges which recorded...»»»

Doha: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced that 21 out of its 31 health centers will be operating during the National Day holiday, Thursday, December 18. The on-duty health centers will provide family medicine and supporting services continuously from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during »»»

Leftist Greek MEP Nikos Pappas, a member of the SYRIZA party, is under investigation by French police after allegedly assaulting journalist Nikos Giannopoulos in Strasbourg. The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at a bar where Pappas was drinking with colleagues and the press d»»»

A protest against the euro changeover was held outside the Bulgarian National Bank building in Sofia on Wednesday. The protest was organized by the Doyran 2025 Association and was registered with the Sofia Municipality. Protesters carried banners reading "No to the euro," "It is time to be heard, n»»»