Two marathon organisers arrested in Iran for allowing women to compete without veils
Two people who organised a marathon in Iran where a number of women athletes competed without wearing veils have been arrested, the Islamic republic's judiciary said Saturday. While women in Iran are required by law to cover their hair in public, the law's enforcement has become more sporadic since»»»
Doha Forum 2025: Syrian President highlights more than 1000 air raids, 400 incursions by Israel on Syria since last December
Doha: The President of the Syrian Arab Republic, Ahmed Al Shar’a, affirmed that Israel had carried out, since Dec. 8 of last year, more than a thousand airstrikes and 400 ground incursions into Syria up to the present day, the latest of which was the massacre committed in the Beit Jin area in the D»»»
Militia attacks kill 114 amid El Fasher atrocities coverup in Sudan - UPI.com
U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk called Thursday's attacks on civilians in Sudan "shocking" and warned that history is repeating itself following atrocities in El Fasher. Poto by Salvatore Di Nolfi/EPA Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Rapid Support Forces militia reportedly killed more than 100 c»»»
Zelensky signals progress in talks with US on peace plan
Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, has said he had a "very constructive" phone call with Donald Trump's peace envoy, Steve Witkoff, and the US president's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. Zelensky said they had discussed how to ensure that Russia stuck to any potential deal to end its war with Ukra»»»
Why the US war secretary doesn’t want Venezuela ‘cartel’ strikes investigated
Are there any adults left at the Pentagon to stop War Secretary Pete Hegseth (aka Kettlebell Kegseth) from unilaterally raining death on guys in boats and then making cartoons about it for social media? “Franklin targets narco-terrorists,” Hegseth tweeted, featuring Franklin the turtle standing on »»»
Kallas calls Washington EU's 'biggest ally' after US security strategy slams Europe
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas responded Saturday to a new US National Security Strategy accusing Europe of facing "civilisational erasure" due to its immigration policies by saying that Washington remained the bloc's main ally. The strategy also called for the US to aggressively maintain domi»»»
GCC countries keen on Iran's stability - GCC Chief
DOHA, Dec 6 (KUNA) -- The Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Jassem Al-Budaiwi affirmed Saturday that GCC countries are keen on Iran's stability and prosperity, stressing, "no one in the GCC wants Iran to collapse." The remarks came during a session at the Doha Forum 2025, which was»»»
US National Park Service removes free entry on MLK Day and Juneteenth
The US National Park Service (NPS) is removing Martin Luther King Jr Day and Juneteenth from its list of fee-free entrance days. The move is part of President Donald Trump's "modernisation" of the park service, which, beginning in 2026, also includes changing the parks' cost structure to favour Ame»»»
Operators, manufacturers align behind Amra City, citing big demand for smart infrastructure
AMMAN — The Kingdom’s major telecommunications and industrial companies said the Amra City project will be a "cornerstone" of the country’s digital and economic modernisation efforts, calling it a national undertaking that will require advanced infrastructure and broad private sector coordination.T»»»
Gaza truce incomplete without 'full withdrawal' by Israel, Qatar PM says
Qatar’s prime minister warned Saturday that the nearly two-month-old ceasefire in the Gaza Strip cannot be considered complete until Israeli forces fully withdraw under a peace plan backed by Washington and the UN. Qatar’s prime minister on Saturday said the Gaza ceasefire has reached a “crit»»»
Sharaa says Israeli demands for demilitarised zone puts Syria in 'dangerous' position
Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa told the Doha Forum Saturday that Israel's continued insistence on a demilitarised zone in the country's south could lead the two nations to a "dangerous place". Israeli troops continue to occupy a UN-patrolled area in the Golan Heights and have repeatedly launched mil»»»
Pakistan and Afghanistan trade heavy fire along border, officials say
Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their shared border on Friday, officials from both countries said, after peace talks between the South Asian neighbours ended without a breakthrough earlier this week. Pakistan and Afghanistan exchanged heavy fire along their border late on Friday»»»
Pakistan-Afghanistan border clash kills four civilians, one soldier
Four civilians and one soldier were killed in an overnight exchange of fire at one of the key Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossings, an Afghan official said on Saturday. Both sides blamed each other despite a truce after deadly clashes in October. Tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan have»»»
Deadly floods claim over 900 lives in Indonesia as survivors struggle to obtain aid
The death toll from cyclone-driven floods and landslides across three Indonesian provinces on Sumatra rose to 908 people on Saturday, with over 400 listed as missing, government data showed. The disaster has also claimed around 200 lives in southern Thailand and Malaysia. Indonesia’s environment mi»»»
Rep. Adelita Grijalva says ICE agents shoved, pepper-sprayed her - UPI.com
Rep. Adelita Grijalva, D-Ariz., said she was pushed and pepper-sprayed by federal agents during an immigration-enforcement action outside a Tucson restaurant on Friday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 6 (UPI) -- Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents pushed and pepper-sprayed Rep.»»»
Germany's Merz Backs Trump's Gaza Plan in Call With Palestine's Abbas
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz supported US President Donald Trump's plan for a Middle East settlement during a phone conversation with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, German government spokesman Stefan Kornelius said. "Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz has held a detailed phone co»»»
Iranian diplomat praises Doha Forum, calls for regional economic focus
DOHA: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister and President of the Institute for Political and International Studies (IPIS) Dr Saeed Khatibzadeh has praised the opening of the 23rd Doha Forum, commending the Qatari leadership for its "successful and skillful" organisation. Talking to Qatar Tribune on the si»»»
UAE to families: Protect children from online risks
Dubai: The UAE Cybersecurity Council has urged families to take a more active role in protecting children online, stressing that real online safety begins at home — where parents, not technology, remain the first and most important line of defence against harmful content, scams and cyberbullying. T»»»
Iran arrests marathon organisers over women not wearing hijab
The Iranian judiciary says two organisers of a marathon have been arrested for allowing women who were not wearing hijabs to take part. The move comes after images appeared online of unveiled women competing in the race on Friday. Two thousand women and 3,000 men took part separately in the maratho»»»
Prime Minister meets delegations from French, British parliaments and Government of Jersey
Doha: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, met on Saturday with a parliamentary delegation from the French Republic, which included HE Deputy Estelle Youssouffa, HE Deputy Laurent Mazure, HE Deputy Romain Daubie, HE Deputy Belkhir Be»»»
Ras El-Hekma anchors FDI surge as COMESA’s global investment share doubles
Foreign direct investment (FDI) into the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) surged to a record $65bn in 2024, marking a 154% year-on-year increase despite a global downturn in investment flows, according to the inaugural COMESA Investment Report 2025, jointly launched by UN Trad»»»
Deadly attack on kindergarten reported in Sudan
A drone attack on the town of Kalogi, in Sudan's South Kordofan region, is said to have hit a kindergarten and killed at least 50 people, including 33 children. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the paramilitary group battling the army in Sudan's civil war, was accused of Thursday's attack by a medic»»»
Stricken tandoori: Uzbek air pollution officials in hot water after demolishing clay ovens
Overzealous air pollution officials in Uzbekistan used excavators to demolish tandoor ovens, upsetting locals, according to a Gazeta.uz report. As disquiet over the disproportionate action mounted, the khokim (mayor) of Shakhrikhan district in the eastern region of Andijan, Khikmatillo Dadakhonov, »»»
Turkey Ready to Support Gaza’s International Stabilization Force, Advance Peace Plan Until 2027
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan announced on Saturday that Turkey is prepared to fulfill its responsibilities and contribute to ongoing peace efforts in Gaza. His remarks came during a session at the 2025 Doha Forum, which opened in Qatar’s capital and will run for two days. Responding to ques»»»
UN Security Council delegation urges all sides to stick to Lebanon truce – Ya Libnan
Share: Photo: Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun ( L) is shown during meeting at the Baabda presidential palace with a visiting United Nations Security Council (UNSC) delegation to discuss escalating tensions with Israel and efforts to disarm Hezbollah A United Nations Security Council delegation on S»»»
National Guardsman 'slowly healing' after being shot in Washington DC
A National Guardsman is on the mend after he was critically injured in an ambush-style shooting last month in Washington DC. The parents of Andrew Wolfe, 24, say "his head wound is slowly healing and that he's beginning to 'look more like himself,'" said West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. The»»»
Sheikh Mohammed hosts delegation of top African business and philanthropic leaders
Dubai: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai on Saturday met with a delegation of African business and philanthropic leaders visiting the UAE. The meeting was attended by Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, First Deputy »»»
UN Security Council Delegation Visits South Lebanon, Urges All Sides to Stick to Truce
A United Nations Security Council delegation on Saturday urged all parties to uphold a year-old ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah, expressing support for a state weapons monopoly at the end of a Lebanon visit. "We came to Beirut at a pivotal time for the implementation of... the cessation of h»»»
US Gives European NATO Members Until 2027 to Sort Out Conventional Defense
Pentagon officials met with European delegations in Washington this past week to discuss plans to hand most of NATO’s conventional defense responsibilities over to the bloc’s European members. The transfer is expected to include everything from troops and weaponry to intel and missiles, with the US»»»
Teen accused of setting NYC subway passenger on fire - UPI.com
Video from inside a New York City subway car shows the man who allegedly picked up a piece of paper, lit it on fire and then left it near a sleeping man. Photo courtesy Department of Justice Dec. 6 (UPI) -- An 18-year-old high school senior has been charged with lighting a sleeping man on fire on t»»»
Bangladeshi expat wins Dh250K in Big Ticket’s F1 blind bet – without knowing the sport
Banking on Racing Bulls’ Isack Hadjar during a Big Ticket game landed Dh250,000 in the hands of Bangladeshi expat Muhammad Kabir Sarkar. The 42-year-old Abu Dhabi resident was among the select participants who played Big Ticket’s unique game on a yacht involving the drivers of Formula 1 Abu Dhabi G»»»
Dubai opens Farmers’ Souq with drone show honouring local farmers
Dubai: Dubai Municipality launched the fifth season of the Farmers' Souq at Quranic Park in Al Khawaneej on Saturday with a special drone show that paid tribute to the emirate's farming community. The surprise aerial display delighted visitors as it illuminated the evening sky, celebrating the dedi»»»
OIC applauds UNSG resolution to extend UNRWA mandate
JEDDAH, Dec 6 (KUNA) --- The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Saturday acclaimed a UNGA resolution to extend mandate of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) for three years.The OIC said in a statement that the UNSG resolution mirrored international consensus on supporting and »»»
New Berlin law allows police to install spyware in homes
Berlin police will be allowed to secretly enter private homes to install spyware, after the German House of Representatives approved sweeping changes to the city’s police law. Backed by the governing CDU-SPD coalition and opposition AfD, the law gives police broad new powers over both physical and »»»
Russia Unleashes Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine
Russia unleashed a major missile and drone barrage on Ukraine overnight into Saturday, after US and Ukrainian officials said they’ll meet on Saturday for a third day of talks aimed at ending the nearly 4-year-old war. Following talks that made progress on a security framework for postwar Ukraine, t»»»
Bethlehem Christmas tree lights up for first time since start of Gaza war
For two years during the Gaza war, all public celebrations for Christmas were cancelled in Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank – where Christians believe Jesus was born. But after the recent ceasefire, the holy city decided that this year the festivities would return as symbolised by the lighting o»»»
IRGC Navy Unveils New Long-Range Missile Power in “Eghtedar” Naval Drills
Admiral Alireza Tangsiri, commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy, announced on Saturday that a missile fired during the force’s latest naval exercise has a range exceeding the full length of the Persian Gulf. The Admiral referred to the recent “Eghtedar” (Power) military drills con»»»
Russia's Dmitriev Accuses 'EU Bureaucrats' of Interfering in 2024 US Presidential Election
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Direct Investment Fund CEO Kirill Dmitriev, who is also the Russian special presidential envoy for economic cooperation with foreign countries, on Saturday accused European Union officials of interfering in the US presidential election in 2024. Dmitriev made the remark in»»»
North American leaders take stage together for the first time
It was all smiles at Washington DC's Kennedy Centre as the leaders of the US, Mexico and Canada took the stage for the 2026 World Cup draw, even as trade tensions simmered in the background. For Donald Trump, the brief interaction marked his first meeting with Mexico's Claudia Sheinbaum, who leads »»»
Berisha Downplays Significance of Salianji–Alimehmeti Meeting
Democratic Party (PD) leader Sali Berisha on Friday dismissed the political importance of a reported meeting between party figures Ervin Salianji and Ilir Alimehmeti, saying that private discussions have no bearing on PD decision-making. Berisha confirmed that Alimehmeti had requested and held a me»»»
PM: Qatar keen on stability in region
DOHA, DEC 6 (KUNA) -- Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman affirmed on Saturday that Qatar is keen on the region's stability, saying the country considers this as part of its national security.Delivering a speech as part of the Doha Forum 2025, Shei»»»
Positive Messages Key to Tourism, Says Head of Tourism Economics Department at UNWE
Positive messages in tourism are extremely important, said Prof. Mariana Ianeva, Head of the Department of Tourism Economics at the University of National and World Economy (UNWE), during the BG Tourism – Winter 2025/2026 forum held in Pamporovo on Saturday. The forum is organized by BTA in partner»»»
Amir meets several heads of state and government participating in Doha Forum
DOHA: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani met at the Sheraton Doha Hotel with several heads of state and government from brotherly and friendly nations participating in the Doha Forum 2025. His Highness met separately with President of the Syrian Arab Republi»»»
bTV Media Group Chief Operating Officer: Media Support Means Reporting Facts, not Distorting Them
At a tourism forum here on Saturday, the Chief Operating Officer of bTV Media Group, Gospodin Yovchev, emphasized that in order for the tourism sector to develop, coordinated and targeted efforts are needed from all representatives of the state authorities, institutions, the sector, the media, and »»»
Fees for using ATMs will go up next year in Poland
From February 2026, cash withdrawals in Poland are expected to become significantly more expensive due to new fee structures introduced by Visa and Mastercard. Instead of a flat fee, banks will pay a fixed charge plus a percentage of the withdrawal amount, increasing costs especially for larger tra»»»
Report: for Christmas, average Pole will spend PLN 1,800 more than a year ago
Poles will spend an average of PLN 1,787 on Christmas in 2025 – 13% more than last year, despite overall holiday preparation being about PLN 150 cheaper for a typical four-person family. According to a report by the Polish Bank Association and Minds & Roses, gifts and food remain the largest expens»»»
Stranded at Mumbai airport, IndiGo passenger’s 'Woh Lamhe' concert unites weary travellers
At Mumbai’s bustling airport, itself swirling in frustration over widespread flight cancellations, a lone traveler turned delay into a moment of calm. With his guitar in hand, he began strumming the early-2000s hit “Woh Lamhe,” instantly drawing fellow passengers into a spontaneous concert. The per»»»
BNT Management Board Member Andonov: Winter Tourism's Development Is Key Element of Bulgaria's Tourism Profile
The development of winter tourism in Bulgaria is a key element of the country's overall tourism profile, Anton Andonov, member of the Management Board of Bulgarian National Television (BNT), said here on Saturday. He was speaking during the forum on BG TOURISM - WINTER 2025/2026, organized by the B»»»
Finnish-Polish satellite manufacturer Iceye reaches PLN 10 bln valuation
Iceye, a Finnish-Polish satellite company, has raised EUR 150 million in a new funding round valuing the firm at USD 2.8 billion. The round was led by General Catalyst and included Poland’s BGK fund Vinci and, for the first time, InPost founder Rafał Brzoska. Founded a decade ago by Rafał Modrzewsk»»»
On Naxos, a demolition that took two decades
For successive generations of residents and visitors to the Greek island of Naxos, the building in Alyko, located in the middle of the cedar forest, has always been there: dilapidated, eroded by the sea, full of graffiti. The unfinished hotel had been in this state since the mid-1970s, when its con»»»