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,»»»
QF’s Academic Bridge Program hosts inspirational lecture series
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Foundation’s Academic Bridge Program (ABP), part of its Pre-University Education, launched the “Inspirational Lectures Series” during the current academic year, reaffirming its commitment to enriching students’ educational experiences and connecting them with inspiri»»»
‘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»»»
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. »»»
More stormy weather ahead for Southern California; state of emergency declared - UPI.com
Torrential rains and stormy weather caused two deaths in Southern California on Wednesday and triggered a state of emergency and evacuations as the storm continues through Friday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo Dec. 25 (UPI) -- Two have died as stormy weather enveloped Southern Califo»»»
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»»»
Dubai Airports lauded for seamless visitor experience
Dubai: Lieutenant General Mohammed Ahmed Al Marri, Director General of the General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA) Dubai, has praised Dubai Airports for ensuring a smooth and efficient arrival experience for visitors, following an inspection tour on Thursday. In a statement, »»»
GCC delegation visits Qatar’s Security Institutions to enhance emergency management, security cooperation
Doha, Qatar: As part of efforts to strengthen Gulf cooperation and exchange expertise, a delegation from the General Secretariat of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the GCC Emergency Management Center paid a visit to a number of security entities, including the Police Academy, Ras Laffan Emer»»»
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»»»
Abu Dhabi launches indoor air monitoring system to track pollution in buildings
Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) has launched a new Indoor Air Quality Observatory, known as HawAQM, to closely monitor air quality inside buildings across the emirate. The initiative is a key project under ADPHC’s public health strategy and aims to improve living, learning and»»»
Syria’s financial watchdog probes 246 corruption cases in 2025
Damascus, Dec. 25(SANA) The Central Organization of Financial Control maintained an accelerated pace of work throughout 2025, prioritizing the recovery of state and citizens’ rights, uncovering corruption cases and protecting public funds from waste, within a previously announced institutional fram»»»
Djuric, Botsan-Kharchenko discuss key events in 2025, Serbia's energy security
BELGRADE - Serbian FM Marko Djuric met with Russian Ambassador to Belgrade Alexander Botsan-Kharchenko on Thursday to discuss events that have marked the year 2025, as well as Serbia's energy security. Botsan-Kharchenko conveyed to Djuric Russian FM Sergey Lavrov's greetings for the upcoming New Ye»»»
Lebanon Says 3 Dead in Israeli Strikes
Lebanon said Israeli strikes near the Syrian border and in the country's south killed three people on Thursday, as Israel said it targeted a member of Iran's elite Quds Force and a Hezbollah operative. Despite a November 2024 ceasefire that was supposed to end more than a year of hostilities betwee»»»
Heavy rain, flash floods hit southern California
Los Angeles: Torrential rains unleashed flash floods and warnings of debris flow across southern California, particularly in fire-scarred areas, with further downpours forecast for Thursday as authorities declared a state of emergency in several counties. Driven by an atmospheric river known as "th»»»
Lebanon’s President Aoun Reflects on Christmas Amid Ongoing Israeli Aggression
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Thursday that this year’s Christmas comes amid ongoing suffering in southern Lebanon, speaking after a private meeting with Maronite Patriarch Béchara Raï. While cautiously optimistic about a potential easing of regional tensions, he emphasized that challenges pe»»»
Sharjah Police’s ‘Aman’ initiative slashes crime incidents by 29%
Sharjah Police’s “Aman” initiative has helped reduce criminal incidents by 29 per cent in the first half of 2025, reinforcing safety and improving the quality of life across the emirate. The initiative, led by the General Department of Comprehensive Police Centers, focuses on preventive policing in»»»
Bulgaria's Ministry of Interior Issues Safety Advice Ahead of Euro Launch: Banks and Post Offices Only!
As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro from January 1, 2026, the Ministry of Interior (MI) advises citizens to use only official currency exchange points, such as banks or post offices. During the first six months following the currency changeover, these exchanges will be free of charge. To ensure »»»
Israeli Settler Attack Injures Palestinian Baby, Five Arrested
Israeli security forces announced on Thursday the arrest of five Israeli settlers over their alleged involvement in an attack on a Palestinian home that injured a baby girl in the occupied West Bank. The eight-month-old infant suffered "moderate injuries to the face and head" in the late Wednesday »»»
Derailing peace in Sudan by deliberate design
Attempts to secure peace in Sudan and halt the unfolding humanitarian catastrophe have continued for nearly two-and-a-half years of war. Yet a determined belief within the army and those backing it that military victory is still possible has prevailed. The result is unending destruction, displaceme»»»
Jingle bills: Arkansas Powerball player strikes $1.8bn jackpot on Christmas Eve
A Powerball player in Arkansas won a whopping $1.817bn (£1.34bn) jackpot in a Christmas Eve drawing, making it the second-largest lottery prize ever claimed. The single winning ticket matched all six numbers - 4, 25, 31, 52, 59 and red Powerball 19 - giving the winner the option of taking a lump-su»»»
Mohammad Bakri, renowned and controversial Palestinian actor and filmmaker, dies at 72
Tel Aviv: Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian director and actor who sought to share the complexities of Palestinian identity and culture through a variety of works in both Arabic and Hebrew, has died, his family announced. He was 72. Bakri was best known for “Jenin, Jenin,” a 2003 documentary he directe»»»
Myanmar sets late January date for final election round
Yangon: Myanmar's junta will stage the third and final round of its heavily restricted elections on January 25, a statement said Thursday, just days before polls open for the first batch of ballots. Democracy watchdogs say the junta-run vote is a charade to rebrand the rule of the military, which s»»»
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.»»»
Watch: Dubai's giant edible gingerbread houses spread Christmas joy
Dubai: This Christmas festive season in Dubai has reached new heights of sweetness with spectacular giant gingerbread houses including ones that visitors can actually step inside. These edible architectural and culinary wonders are turning heads, offering families and Christmas enthusiasts unique p»»»
Real-time DMS alerts make Dubai roads safer and faster
Dubai: The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has hailed its Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) system as a key driver in making travel across the city smoother and safer. The system, which displays real-time messages to drivers, has helped reduce travel times by up to 20% on major roads. It also improve»»»
Attempted abduction of foreigner in Issyk-Kul: Suspect detained - | 24.KG
A man suspected of attempting to forcibly place a foreign national into a car has been detained in Issyk-Kul region of Kyrgyzstan, the Internal Affairs Department of the region reported. The incident came to light after a video circulated on Instagram on December 24, 2025, showing an attempt to for»»»
EBRD to allocate €8.3M for rehabilitation of Osh wastewater treatment facilities - | 24.KG
On December 25, deputies of the Jogorku Kenesh considered an agreement between Kyrgyzstan and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the project «Expansion of Wastewater Treatment Facilities in Osh city.» It was noted that the EBRD has already implemented two phases of the «»»»
Qatar condemns attack targeting police patrol in Pakistan
DOHA: The State of Qatar voiced its condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted a police patrol in the Karak district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwestern Pakistan, claiming several lives. In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated the State of Qa»»»
Bulgarian Patriarch Daniil Arrives on First Peaceful Visit to Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul
Bulgarian Patriarch and Metropolitan of Sofia Daniil arrived on his first peaceful visit to the Ecumenical Patriarchate in Istanbul on Thursday. On the church delegation are metropolitans Anthony of Western and Central Europe, John of Varna and Veliko Preslav, Naum of Ruse, Cyprian of Stara Zagora,»»»
Mohammad Bakri, Renowned and Controversial Palestinian Actor and Filmmaker, Dies at 72
Mohammad Bakri, a Palestinian director and actor who sought to share the complexities of Palestinian identity and culture through a variety of works in both Arabic and Hebrew, has died, his family announced. He was 72. Bakri was best known for “Jenin, Jenin,” a 2003 documentary he directed about an»»»
Municipality ministry organises inaugural National Forum on Public Cleanliness
DOHA: The Public Cleanliness Department at the Ministry of Municipality organised the first National Forum on Public Cleanliness Thursday, under the slogan 'Towards a Clean, Smart and Sustainable City,' with broad participation from government agencies, private sector partners, universities, academ»»»
Daughters of King Charles' Brother Andrew Join Royals for Christmas Service
Britain's Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie attended the royal family's traditional Christmas Day church service on Thursday, while their father Andrew, recently stripped of his titles over ties to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was absent. King Charles and Queen Camilla led senior royals t»»»
'The Best Gift Ever': Baby is Born after the Rarest of Pregnancies, Defying All Odds
Suze Lopez holds her baby boy on her lap and marvels at the remarkable way he came into the world. Before little Ryu was born, he developed outside his mom’s womb, hidden by a basketball-sized ovarian cyst — a dangerous situation so rare that his doctors plan to write about the case for a medical j»»»
Fujairah Police unveil comprehensive security plan for New Year’s Eve
Fujairah: Fujairah Police have completed their security and traffic preparations for New Year’s Eve, announcing a comprehensive plan aimed at ensuring the safety and smooth movement of residents and visitors across the emirate. Police said the comprehensive security readiness plan combines heighten»»»
Dubai strengthens film industry with new committee
Dubai: The newly established Dubai Film Development Committee, formed under the Dubai Media Council to drive growth in the emirate’s film sector, held its first meeting at the Council’s headquarters. The session focused on reviewing the committee’s mandate, discussing its operational framework, and»»»
Djedovic Handanovic: Russian side in talks with MOL about NIS, has contacted OFAC
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Thursday Russian shareholders in the Serbian oil company NIS were in talks with Hungary's MOL about exiting ownership of NIS and that they had contacted the US Office of Foreign Asset Control (OFAC) to ensure the »»»
Coastguard Rescue 52 Migrants off Greece, Boy Missing
Greek coastguard were searching Thursday for a missing child off the island of Farmakonisi after rescuing 52 migrants in two separate incidents in the Aegean Sea, local media reported. They found 13 migrants who had arrived on the small, uninhabited island, but one boy was reported missing from the»»»
Qatar condemns attack targeting police patrol in Pakistan
Doha, Qatar: The State of Qatar expresses its condemnation and denunciation of the attack that targeted a police patrol in Karak District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, in the northwest of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, which resulted in fatalities. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterates the »»»
Dubai enacts new law to expand Mohammed bin Rashid Global Initiatives
Dubai: Dubai has enacted a new law to formalise and expand the role of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), establishing a comprehensive legal and governance framework for one of the UAE’s largest humanitarian and development platforms. The law, issued by His Highness Shei»»»
ESC: No agreement over minimum wage, Government not against increase while requiring economic justification, unions announce more radical actions
Skopje, 22 December 2025 (MIA) - The Economic-Social Council (ESC) did not reach a decision over an increase of the minimum wage at a session on Monday. The Government said it is not against an increase but asked for economic justification of the move, noting that economic parameters "show there is»»»
Russia’s ‘Responsible Stewardship’ Led Ruble to Outshine Weaponized Dollar
Russia’s “conservative” policy has driven the ruble up 45% since the start of 2025, noted veteran financial analyst Paul Goncharoff, who is also the general director of Goncharoff LLC. This policy course by Russia explains why, despite sweeping Western sanctions, the ruble has outperformed every ma»»»
Pakistani missions warn of visa scam stealing personal data
Dubai: The Consulate General of Pakistan in Los Angeles has issued a stern warning to international travellers after a fraudulent message claiming to be an “important notice” about Pakistan visas circulated online. Authorities confirmed that the message is part of a phishing scam aimed at stealing »»»
Traffic alert: Partial road closure announced on key road in Sharjah
Sharjah: The Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority (SRTA) has announced a temporary partial closure of Sheikh Mohammed bin Musa Al Khwarizmi Street in the Al Juraina 1 area, near the House of Wisdom, as part of routine road maintenance works. The closure will begin on Friday, December 26, 2025, and»»»
The 20 Most Promising Egyptian Start-ups
1- Instabug: It was founded by Moataz Soliman and Omar Gabr in 2013. Instabug gives app developers a tool to help them detect software glitches. Its customers include Yahoo, PayPal, Soundcloud, and Souq. In June 2016, Instabug founders raised $1.7 million in seed funding from Palo Alto, California-»»»
Snow and Ice Paralyze Roads Across Bulgaria, Traffic Incidents Reported Nationwide
Snow and ice are complicating traffic conditions across nearly the entire country, with multiple incidents reported and authorities urging drivers to exercise extreme caution. In the Vidin region, a truck overturned and another heavy vehicle ended up in a roadside ditch. Drivers report that both in»»»
Pakistan leaders honour Christian community, reaffirm minority rights
Dubai: Pakistan’s political and military leadership on Thursday extended heartfelt greetings to the Christian community, celebrating their contributions to the country and reaffirming the nation’s commitment to equality, religious freedom, and national unity. Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif »»»