Pope Leo has urged Ukraine and Russia to find the "courage" to hold direct talks to end the war during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter's square. He called for an end to conflicts around the world during his Urbi et Orbi address, which is traditionally delivered by the pontiff on C»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday Belgrade would get a metro system in two to three years, but that development and progress in other Serbian cities were also important. "Belgrade is getting a metro. We have technical problems in terms of whether the (tunnel) boring mac»»»

Two people were killed Thursday in an Israeli drone strike on a van in the Hawsh al-Sayyed Ali area in the Bekaa. An Israeli drone strike had overnight targeted a car in the southern town of Jannata, wounding one person, with Israel claiming that it struck a Hezbollah member. Israel has kept up reg»»»

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: Tanzania's Civil Aviation Authority, TCAA, confirmed that five people were killed on Wednesday after a helicopter crashed at the Barafu Camp on Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest mountain. "With deep regret, the authority confirms that all five people on board lost their l»»»

This year was full of truly remarkable moments, yet, some of them stand out as truly significant milestones. Some pivotal, history-making events that will remain in all of our memories for years to come are: the high-stakes Putin-Trump summit in Alaska, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Sov»»»

Speaking at the IV People’s Kurultai, President Sadyr Japarov said that, according to the International Monetary Fund, Kyrgyzstan ranked among the world’s top three countries in terms of real GDP growth in 2024. He stressed that this is clear evidence of the effectiveness of the country’s economic »»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Thursday a new Belgrade bridge on the Sava River would be opened to traffic by end-March 2027, greatly facilitating traffic in the capital. "The new bridge must be opened to traffic by the end of March 2027," Vucic said during a visit to the con»»»

The technical analysis of the recovered black boxes from a jet crash that killed eight people, including western Libya’s military chief, began as the investigation proceeded in cooperation with Libyan authorities, the Turkish Ministry of Defense said Thursday. The private jet with Gen. Muhammad Ali»»»

«Kyrgyzstan possesses enormous natural resources in terms of water resources, so we have a special responsibility to preserve them,» President Sadyr Japarov said at the People’s Kurultai. However, he noted that global climate change is increasing pressure on water resources worldwide. «Global warmi»»»

Tu Meri MainTera Main Teri Tu MeriDirector: Sameer VidwansCast: Ananya Panday, Kartik Aaryan, Neena Gupta, Jackie Shroff★★Dubai: I went into Tu Meri, Main Tera, Main Tera, Tu Meri with the cautious optimism one reserves for Bollywood rom-coms. Maybe it would be frothy. Maybe it would be charming. M»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian PM Djuro Macut said on Wednesday Serbian diplomats must be the country's first line of defence in pursuance of the strategic goals of preservation of territorial integrity and sovereignty and EU membership. In collaboration with all state authorities, they must create something t»»»

CAIRO, Dec 24 (MENA) – Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said Egypt had begun a downward path in its debt indicators, noting that public debt had fallen to about 84 percent of GDP from 96 percent two years ago, and that the government was working to reduce it to levels not seen in five decades. Madbo»»»

The Sharjah Literature Festival will return for its second edition in 2026 with a rich line-up of workshops, author talks, performances, events, and panel discussions. It will run between Jan 5 and 11 at the University City Hall Square in Sharjah, under the theme ‘A Community Woven by Tales’. A num»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian rocket Soyuz-2.1b will put 52 satellites into orbit from the Vostochny Cosmodrome located in Russia's eastern Amur Region during the final launch of 2025, Russian state space corporation Roscosmos said on Thursday. "Fifty-two satellites will start off on the Soyuz-2.1b la»»»

Israeli authorities announced on Thursday the arrest of an Israeli man on suspicion of committing security offences under the direction of Iranian intelligence agents, days after Tehran executed an Iranian accused of spying for Israel. The arrest is the latest in a series of cases in which Israel h»»»

Dubai: Pakistan Association Dubai (PAD) has been awarded Gold at the prestigious Ethraa Empowerment Program for Non-Profit Organisations, recognising its outstanding contributions to governance, service quality, and community impact. The award was presented by Hessa Essa Buhumaid, Director General »»»

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»»»

President Rumen Radev, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and political leaders extended their Christmas greetings to the Bulgarian people on December 25. In his Facebook message, President Radev wished that the great Christian holiday bring health, warmth and hope for a better future to ever»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has a plan to respond to the possible seizure of assets frozen in the West, and it will be implemented if necessary, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Thursday. "An appropriate plan has been drawn up, and it will be implemented if such cases arise," Nov»»»

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun reiterated on Thursday that the country’s parliamentary elections are a constitutional obligation that must be carried out on time. Lebanon’s state-run National News Agency quoted Aoun as saying that he, alongside Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and Parliament Speaker Nabi»»»

Pope Leo decried conditions for Palestinians in Gaza in his Christmas sermon on Thursday, in an unusually direct appeal during what is normally a solemn, spiritual service on the day Christians across the globe celebrate the birth of Jesus. Leo, the first US pope, said the story of Jesus being born»»»

Dubai: Dubai Airport Freezone welcomed AWOT Global Logistics Corporation's new regional headquarters Thursday, cementing the emirate's pull as a logistics powerhouse for one of the world's top 10 air freight companies. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.AWOT, ranked ninth»»»

If someone decides to exchange Bulgarian leva for euros at a currency exchange office right now, the loss is noticeable. For every 100 leva, the difference compared to the official fixed rate amounts to around 1.70 leva, or about 0.88 euros, Radio Free Europe reports. After January 1, however, exch»»»

New York: Days after Ghislaine Maxwell asked a judge to immediately free her from a 20-year prison sentence, the public release of grand jury transcripts from her sex trafficking case returned the spotlight to victims whose allegations helped land her behind bars. The disclosure of the transcripts »»»

Los Angeles: Flash flood warnings were in effect in Los Angeles and most of southern California on Wednesday as one of the worst Christmas storms in recent memory brought heavy rain and fears of deadly mudslides. Driven by an atmospheric river known as “the Pineapple Express,” which moves heavy moi»»»

Dubai: Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, took to X on Thursday to share his Christmas greetings. “From Dubai to the world, we wish you a Merry Christmas. May Allah bles»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik), Lenka White – Renowned US investor Jim Rogers said in an interview with RIA Novosti that he considers the idea of building a tunnel between Russia and the United States to be wonderful and that it would benefit both countries. “It [tunnel] would be wonderful if it were easy to»»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Doha Debates, in collaboration with Qatar’s Years of Culture, a national initiative that brings people together through cultural exchange, has released its first Latin America town hall, “How Should We Reinvent the City?” Held at Buenos Aires’ Usina del Arte, the eve»»»

Doha, Qatar: The opening whistle did more than signal the start of volleyball matches; it marked the beginning of a learning journey undertaken by students from Qatar Foundation (QF) schools at the ISF World Schools Volleyball Championship in Shangluo, China, an experience that extended beyond athl»»»

The time has come for a true revival of the Kyrgyz film industry, President Sadyr Japarov stated today at the People’s Kurultai. According to him, it is necessary to create the necessary conditions for the production of high-quality and competitive films—from modernizing film studios and supporting»»»

Doha: Es’hailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, has expanded its channel offerings by incorporating Al Taghier TV channel into its video distribution lineup at the 26° East orbital position, facilitated by the Es’hail-2 satellite. The Es’hailSat satellite footprint strategically encompasses the Midd»»»

Doha: Hat-trick hero Rafa Mujica attributed self-belief as the key factor for Al Sadd SC’s dramatic 4-2 comeback win over Shabab Al Ahli in their AFC Champions League Elite tie at the Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium on Tuesday. Trailing 2-0 following goals from Federico Cartabia and Yahya Al Ghassani, Al »»»

Imani Dia Smith, a Broadway actor best known for playing Young Nala in the stage adaptation of The Lion King, was stabbed to death at her residence in New Jersey on Sunday, December 21. She was 25. According to a press release issued by the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office, authorities responde»»»

Dhaka: Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman was welcomed back to Bangladesh on Thursday by huge crowds of joyous supporters after 17 years in self-imposed exile. Rahman, the son of former prime minister Khaleda Zia and heir apparent of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (B»»»

China accused the US on Thursday of distorting its defense policy in an effort to thwart an improvement in China-India ties. Foreign ministry ‌spokesperson Lin ‌Jian was ‌responding ⁠to a question ‌at a press briefing on whether China might exploit a recent easing of tensions with India over disput»»»

Tunis, Dec. 25 (TAP)- President of the Republic Kais Saïed had a talk on Wednesday afternoon in Carthage with Premier Sarra Zaafrani Zenzri.The Head of State said it is imperative to "move up another gear in various fields," mainly following the...»»»

Speaking at the People’s Kurultai, President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov emphasized that the energy sector is a strategic foundation for Kyrgyzstan’s stability, national security, and economic development. «Reliable electricity supply to every city, district, and village has a direct impact on the »»»

Fujairah: A total of 740 kilograms of marine debris were removed from the seabed off Fujairah during a major volunteer clean-up involving 134 professional divers and community members, organisers said. The effort marked the seventh and final activity of the national initiative “7 Volunteering Oppor»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Two Lebanese citizens martyred in Israeli drone strike on northern Hermel, east Lebanon 25-12-2025 10:34 AM Latest News Urgent News Syria: »»»

Education is one of the most important foundations of state building and a key element in the development of human capital. Head of State Sadyr Japarov stated at the People’s Kurultai. According to him, young people need to be provided with an education that will allow them not only to follow globa»»»

Pakistan’s civil and military leadership on Thursday reaffirmed their commitment to follow the vision and ideals of Quaid-i-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, as the nation marked the 149th birth anniversary of its founder of the nation on December 25. In separate messages, Pakistan President Asif Ali Zarda»»»

Dubai Holding Community Management has informed Discovery Gardens residents that regulated parking services will be introduced across the community, with paid parking operations set to begin on Thursday, January 15, 2026. In an email sent to residents, Dubai Holding said the new system will be impl»»»

Asian shares were mixed Thursday in thin holiday trading, with most markets in the region and elsewhere closed for Christmas. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 edged 0.1% higher to 50,407.79. It has gained nearly 30% this year. The dollar slipped to 155.85 Japanese yen from 155.94 yen. The euro climbed to $»»»

Starting April 1, 2026, the salaries of teachers and medical workers in Kyrgyzstan will be increased by 100 percent, President Sadyr Japarov announced today at the People’s Kurultai. According to him, respect for teachers and doctors is the foundation of a strong state. «A teacher shapes the nation»»»

Four United Nations rights experts on Wednesday condemned the US partial naval blockade of Venezuela, determining it illegal armed aggression and calling on the US Congress to intervene. The United States has deployed a major military force in the Caribbean and has recently intercepted oil tankers »»»

Doha, Qatar: Sun Amer emerged victorious in a tough field in a gripping Purebred Arabian Handicap (80–100) for four-year-olds, clinching the Muaither Cup by a head at Al Rayyan Racecourse yesterday. The thrilling 1700m Class 2 contest saw several leaders, including Alhafar, Rammah and Al Mustafiz. »»»

On Dec. 25, 2020, an RV exploded in downtown Nashville, killing the driver of the vehicle and injuring eight people. 1 of 3 | On December 25, 2020, an RV exploded in downtown Nashville, killing the driver of the vehicle and injuring eight people. File Photo courtesy Nashville Fire Department | Lice»»»

Israel reacted furiously on Thursday to a condemnation by 14 countries including France and Britain of its approval of new settlements in the occupied West Bank, calling the criticism discriminatory against Jews. "Foreign governments will not restrict the right of Jews to live in the Land of Israel»»»

A 43-year-old school teacher was shot dead inside the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) campus in Uttar Pradesh on Wednesday night, sparking fear and outrage at one of India’s most prominent educational institutions. The victim has been identified as Rao Danish Ali, a former AMU student who had been »»»