Kuna 3m

Briefing of KUNA main news for Thursday until 00:00 GMT

3269144 KUWAIT -- Minister of Information and Culture, and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdurrahman Al-Mutairi inaugurates Kuwait Geopark. 3269145 RIYADH -- The Saudi Data and AI Authority launches a 480 MW data center on 30 million sq. feet in Riyadh. 3269136 GAZA -- Israeli occupation forc»»»

UPI 8m

Saudi forces strike Yemen separatists amid 'war' - UPI.com

A news broadcast shows the latest developments in the conflict between Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and southern separatists in Sanaa, Yemen, on Friday. Photo by Yahya Arhab/EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Saudi Arabia's military struck United Arab Emirates-backed separatists in Yemen on Friday, promp»»»

upi.com
The Peninsula 14m

US dollar ticks up

New York: The US dollar climbed in late trading on Friday. The dollar index, which measures the greenback against six major peers, added 0.1 percent to 98.424 at 3 p.m. (2000 GMT). In late New York trading, the euro was down to 1.1724 dollars from 1.1746 dollars in the previous session, and the Bri»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
UPI 20m

Judge denies pre-trial release for alleged D.C. pipe bomber - UPI.com

A judge has ruled that alleged D.C. pipe bomber Brian Cole Jr. must stay in jail through his trial. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A Washington, D.C., federal magistrate judge ruled Friday that a man who allegedly set pipe bombs outside of political party headquarters»»»

upi.com
BBC 29m

What images and videos tell us about why Swiss bar fire spread so quickly

Investigators are racing to establish how and why the deadly New Year's Eve fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort spread so rapidly. Authorities on Friday said in a press conference that sparklers attached to champagne bottles that were held "too close to the ceiling" appear to have started the blaze»»»

bbc.com
BBC 29m

Four released from hospital after arson attack

Four of the five people who were injured in an arson attack in Dublin on New Year's Eve have been discharged from hospital. The victims caught up in the attack at a house in Creston Avenue in Finglas included three teenagers, a woman in her 20s and a woman in her 40s. The older woman sustained seri»»»

bbc.com
Al Manar 37m

Videos| Iranian Crowds Reject Chaos, Denounce US Interventions

Massive rallies took place in Fars and Hamedan provinces in Iran today, demanding that Iranian security forces take firm action against anyone threatening public security. The rallies condemned “the destructive actions carried out by some elements in the country, exploiting peaceful protests”. Part»»»

english.almanar.com.lb
Gulf News 39m

Saudi Arabia to build world’s largest government data centre

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has officially launched an ambitious $2.7 billion (Dh9.9 billion) digital infrastructure initiative with the announcement of the Hexagon Data Centre, set to be the world’s largest government data centre and a cornerstone project of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030. Classified as Tier I»»»

gulfnews.com
Bulgarian News Agency 41m

GERB Leader Borissov: GERB Walks as Partners Go Too Far

GERB quit the governing majority after its partners went too far, including [MRF Chair and MRF – New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan] Peevski, GERB leader Boyko Borissov said in a YouTube interview on Friday. Borissov spoke to journalist Yavor Dachkov at GERB’s party headquarters in Sofia. “Self-conf»»»

bta.bg
Gulf News 50m

Ministry of Defence announces completion of UAE Armed Forces’ return from Yemen

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced the completion of the return of all UAE Armed Forces personnel from the Republic of Yemen. The ministry stated that the return of the UAE forces follows the implementation of a previously announced decision to conclude the remaining missions of counter-te»»»

gulfnews.com
The Peninsula 50m

Sheikha Moza attends the opening tour competitions of the HH The Father Amir Prix

Doha, Qatar,: The opening day was attended by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, Chairperson of Qatar Foundation (QF), who visited Al Shaqab as Tour 1 of the HH The Father Amir Prix 2026 officially commenced in Doha. Tour 1 brings together international and regional riders across CSI1, CSI2 and»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
UPI 56m

Driver for pro boxer Anthony Joshua charged in fatal Nigeria crash - UPI.com

The driver for British boxer Anthony Joshua, who was injured, and two others who were killed in a Monday collision in Nigera was charged on Friday and is jailed until posting bond. File Photo by Rune Hellestad/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The driver of the vehicle that crashed in Nigeria, in»»»

upi.com
Qatar Tribune 57m

48th Dakar Rally kicks off in Saudi Arabia on Saturday

DOHA: The 48th edition of the Dakar Rally kicks off on Saturday, in Saudi Arabia, which is hosting the event for the seventh consecutive year. A total of 812 competitors are participating, including Qatari driver Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah of the Dacia team and Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi of the Toyo»»»

qatar-tribune.com
UPI 1h

Nearly 5,000 attempt polar bear dip world record in Washington - UPI.com

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bellingham Herald (@bellinghamherald) Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A Washington city may have broken a Guinness World Record by gathering nearly 5,000 people to take a "polar bear dip" into frigid water at the same time. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Blaine Birc»»»

upi.com
UPI 1h

China's BYD electric cars beat Tesla deliveries in 2025 - UPI.com

The BYD Sea Lion 7 is on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 at Makuhari messe in Chiba-Prefecture, Japan, in January. BYD delivered more cars in 2025 than Tesla. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Chinese electric car maker BYD surpassed Tesla in annual sales in 2025. BY»»»

upi.com
UPI 1h

FBI foils terror plot targeting North Carolina grocery store, restaurant - UPI.com

The FBI worked with local law enforcement to arrest an 18-year-old accused of plotting a violent attack on a Mint Hill, N.C., grocery store and fast food restaurant. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The FBI foiled a terror plot to attack people at a grocery store and fa»»»

upi.com
UPI 1h

Argentina OKs allowing undeclared savings into financial system - UPI.com

Official data show Argentines held about $254 billion outside the banking system as of September. Photo by QuinceCreative/Pixabay BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Argentina's government has enacted the so-called Fiscal Innocence Law, which changes tax evasion thresholds and seeks to encourage declarin»»»

upi.com
TAP 1h

First-Instance verdict against journalist Mohamed Boughalleb upheld, with execution deferred

Tunis, Jan. 2 (TAP)- The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Tunis, on Friday, upheld the first-instance ruling convicting journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, while deferring the execution of the corporal punishment imposed, lawyer Hamadi Zaafrani...»»»

Gulf News 1h

Sheikh Zayed Festival sets 5 Guinness World Records on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Festival featured record-breaking moments, international broadcast coverage, and drew hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators to a night marked by five new Guinness World Records. The Sheikh Zayed Festival closed the year with a series of record-»»»

gulfnews.com
Al Awsat 2h

Hamas to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaza Arms Are Light, Pose No Threat to Israel

Senior sources in Hamas have played down what they described as an Israeli “scare tactic” over the group’s weapons, rejecting Israeli demands to disarm as a condition for moving to the second phase of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas possesses only light we»»»

english.aawsat.com
BNE 2h

COMMENT: Can Iran's government break its bad habits?

Iran's latest bout of economic protests has ceased to be reactive spasms of discontent triggered by the newest price shock and currency collapse. They have become something rather more persistent and worrying for Tehran's authorities: the steady drumbeat of a population whose resilience has been gr»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Saudi Arabia strikes UAE-backed STC positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province

Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Saudi Arabia strikes UAE-backed STC positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province

Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

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»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Saudi Arabia strikes UAE-backed STC positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province

Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Europe's LNG imports surge to record 142bn cubic metres in 2025

Europe imported a record 142bn cubic metres of liquefied natural gas in 2025, marking a 28% increase from the previous year as the continent continued reducing dependence on Russian pipeline gas. Higher LNG imports have co»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Poland launches first tender for 320km/h high-speed trains

Poland's state railway operator PKP Intercity announced the country's first tender for trains capable of reaching speeds of 320 kilometres per hour, marking a significant step in developing the nation's high-speed rail network. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Europe's LNG imports surge to record 142bn cubic metres in 2025

Europe imported a record 142bn cubic metres of liquefied natural gas in 2025, marking a 28% increase from the previous year as the continent continued reducing dependence on Russian pipeline gas. Higher LNG imports have co»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 2h

Ukraine appoints military intelligence chief Budanov to presidential office

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appointed Kyrylo Budanov, head of the country's military intelligence directorate, as the new Head of the Office of the President, citing the need for greater focus on security and diplomatic negotiations. »»»

intellinews.com
UPI 2h

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky names Kyrylo Budanov as chief of staff - UPI.com

Kyrylo Budanov, 39, has been named President Volodymyr Zelensky's new chief of staff. File Photo by Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday that he named spy boss Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov as his chief of staff. "I had a meeting with Kyrylo Budanov»»»

upi.com
Al Manar 2h

UNIFIL reports two Israeli gunfire attacks on troops in South Lebanon, calls on the Zionist enemy to halt hostilities: statement - Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe UNIFIL reports two Israeli gunfire attacks on troops in South Lebanon, calls on the Zionist enemy to halt hostilities: statement 02-01-2026»»»

Al Manar 2h

Israeli glider drops two bombs on Khiam town, South Lebanon: Al-Manar reporter - Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli glider drops two bombs on Khiam town, South Lebanon: Al-Manar reporter 02-01-2026 19:36 PM Latest News Urgent News Israeli glider d»»»

The Peninsula 2h

Turkish Airlines announces 2.33-bln-USD investment to build world's largest cargo terminal

Istanbul: Türkiye's flag carrier Turkish Airlines (THY) announced on Friday a major investment of around 100 billion Turkish liras (about 2.33 billion U.S. dollars) to build what it says will be the world's largest cargo terminal at Istanbul Airport. In a social media post, THY said the project wil»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Awsat 2h

Led by Al-Khanbashi, National Shield Forces Deploy in Yemen’s Hadhramaut to Retake Camps

Eastern Yemen’s Hadhramaut province entered a critical phase on Friday as government-backed National Shield forces began deploying against an insurgency by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), seeking to regain control of military camps and restore the state’s grip over security and military in»»»

english.aawsat.com
Kathimerini 2h

Farmers say talks possible, but protests may escalate

Farmers at the Malgara roadblock near Thessaloniki signaled a willingness to open talks with the government, spokesperson Kostas Anestidis said, ahead of a nationwide farmers’ meeting on Sunday. “We will drop anchor to open a channel of communication with the government,” he added, noting that some»»»

ekathimerini.com
Kathimerini 2h

Ferry services to Tinos suspended on Saturday due to adverse weather

Ferry services to the island of Tinos from the ports of Piraeus and Rafina will be suspended on Saturday due to adverse weather conditions in the Aegean Sea. Blue Star Ferries announced the cancellation of the Paros sailings from Piraeus to Tinos, while Fast Ferries and Golden Star Ferries have als»»»

ekathimerini.com
Gulf News 3h

Fog alert in Dubai: NCM warns of reduced visibility

Dubai: The National Center of Meteorology has warned of a chance of fog formation and reduced horizontal visibility, dropping to near zero at times, across some internal and coastal areas of the country between midnight and 10am tomorrow, January 3, 2026. In an advisory, the NCM urged motorists to »»»

gulfnews.com
Al Awsat 3h

Heroic Staffer Blocks 400-pound Runaway Prop at US Disney Theme Park

A staffer at Disney World in Florida was hailed as a hero after he blocked a 400-pound (180-kilogram) rubber boulder that was bouncing toward the audience at an Indiana Jones-themed live show. "Woah! That's heading right for us!" an audience member can be heard saying on a YouTube video of the inci»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 3h

Hiker Killed in Rare Suspected Mountain Lion Attack in Colorado

A hiker in Colorado has died in the state's first suspected fatal mountain lion attack in over 25 years, authorities said. The woman was found unresponsive by other hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail northeast of Estes Park around noon on Thursday. The hikers saw a mountain lion near the woman's »»»

english.aawsat.com
The Peninsula 3h

Malaysia forms online safety committee to guide policy

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has formed an online safety committee as the highest strategic advisory body to steer the direction of the nation's online safety, Azalina Othman Said, minister in the prime minister's department for law and institutional reform, said on Friday. This is in line with the enfor»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Sputnik 3h

Reports of Russian Strike on Kharkov on January 2 are False - Defense Ministry

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Information about the alleged Friday strike by the Russian armed forces on the city of Kharkov is untrue, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "Information about the alleged strike on the city of Kharkov by the Russian Armed Forces on January 2 of this year is untrue," the ministry»»»

sputniknews.com
TAP 3h

Partly cloudy with temperatures between 5°C and 14°C Friday night

Tunis, Jan. 2 (TAP) - Partly cloudy skies are expected over most regions Friday night, according to forecasts from the National Institute of Meteorology (INM). Winds will blow from the south to the west, relatively strong to strong near the eastern...»»»

UPI 3h

President Donald Trump says he's in 'perfect health,' 'aced' cognitive exam - UPI.com

1 of 2 | President Donald Trump stops to speak to the media as he departs on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., December 19. He said Friday his doctors announced he was in "perfect health." Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- President Donald»»»

upi.com
UPI 3h

Brazil closes 2025 with record-low unemployment rate - UPI.com

Contributing to employment is Chinese company Build Your Dreams' factory, which will serve as the base for future expansion into the Latin American electric vehicle market. The factory is in Camacari, about 30 miles from Salvador. File Photo by Americo Roberto/EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Brazil ended 2025 »»»

upi.com
Al Manar 3h

Al-Manar reporter: An Israeli glider crashed while spying on one of the houses in Bint Jbeil town, South Lebanon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar reporter: An Israeli glider crashed while spying on one of the houses in Bint Jbeil town, South Lebanon 02-01-2026 19:06 PM Latest»»»

The Peninsula 3h

Gold edges higher from two-week low as other metals recover

Singapore: Gold prices rose slightly in early Asian trading, recovering from a two-week low, while other precious metals recouped some of last week's losses. Spot gold climbed 0.8% to USD 4,346.69 an ounce, after hitting a record high of USD 4,549.71 on 26 December. US gold futures for February del»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
UPI 3h

Low growth keeps Mexico among Latin America’s least dynamic economies - UPI.com

An employee works in a manufacturing plant) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in March. Mexico closed 2025 with weak economic growth and is heading into 2026 with limited expansion prospects. File Photo by Luis Torres/.EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Mexico closed 2025 with weak economic growth and is heading into 202»»»

upi.com
BBC 3h

Woman killed in suspected mountain lion attack in US

A hiker is believed to have been killed by at least one mountain lion in the US state of Colorado on Wednesday, according to wildlife officials. If confirmed, it would be the first fatal attack there since 1999. A group of hikers found the woman's body on a remote trail and spotted a lion nearby. A»»»

bbc.com
UPI 3h

Coast Guard suspends search for woman, 77, overboard near Cuba - UPI.com

A 77-year-old woman aboard the Holland America Niew Statendam went overboard Thursday. Photo courtesy of Holland America Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A search has been suspended for a 77-year-old woman who went overboard from a cruise ship near Cuba on Thursday. "We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sai»»»

upi.com
Al Manar 3h

Lebanese Ministry of Health: Today’s Israeli enemy raid on the town of Ansar injured a citizen - Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese Ministry of Health: Today’s Israeli enemy raid on the town of Ansar injured a citizen 02-01-2026 18:21 PM Latest News Urgent News »»»