Ukraine could join the European Union as early as January 2027 under the latest US plan to end the war with Russia, a senior source familiar with the matter told AFP on Friday. The complicated EU accession process usually takes years and requires a unanimous vote from all 27 members of the bloc, an»»»

On the front line of the migration surge, Ceuta – the Spanish exclave in North Africa – continues to see thousands of people arrive each year. With the land border so heavily guarded to be virtually sealed, many of the youngest attempt the crossing by sea, venturing into the dangerous cur»»»

Germany said Friday it had summoned Moscow’s ambassador after it accused Russian-linked groups of hacking its air traffic control system and attempting to influence the 2024 general election. Dubbing such operations, including drone flights near European airports, as “hybrid attacks”»»»

After months of political tension and procedural deadlock, Albania finally has a new Ombudsman. In a session that stretched late into Thursday night, Parliament elected Endri Shabani as the People’s Advocate with a decisive 85 votes in favor and 3 against, closing one of the most debated institutio»»»

Albania is taking a major step in preparing to host the 2027 NATO Summit with the establishment of a dedicated Host Nation Task Force (HNTF) and a National Organizing Team, approved today by the Council of Ministers. The new structure will coordinate and oversee all preparations for the historic ev»»»

Israel's cabinet has decided to give legal status to 19 settlements in the occupied West Bank, including two that were vacated 20 years ago under a pullout aimed at boosting the country's security and the economy, Israeli media reported. The Palestinian Authority on Friday condemned the move, annou»»»

MEROSINA - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic announced on Friday he was preparing for his first official visit to China and noted that the two countries maintained a steely friendship based, among other aspects, on mutual respect of territorial integrity. Speaking to reporters in Merosina, souther»»»

The Constitutional Court has reinstated Belinda Balluku to her duties as Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Energy, overturning the suspension previously imposed by the Special Court Against Corruption and Organized Crime (GJKKO). The decision follows the Court’s acceptance fo»»»

Skydiver Adrian Ferguson dangles from the horizontal stabilizer of a plane after his reserve parachute accidentally deployed on a jump on Sept. 20 in Queensland, Australia. Screenshot from a video released by the ATSB. Dec. 12 (UPI) -- An Australian skydiver was left dangling from behind a plane at»»»

A Lululemon store pictured Dec. 2019 in Lynnfield, Mass. On Friday, the Canada-based company's sock value spiked more than 9% in premarket trading following its announcement CEO Calvin McDonald will step down next month. Photo Provided by CJ Gunther/EPA Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Shares of Lululemon stock su»»»

Abu Dhabi Mobility has announced partial road closure between Sat, Dec 13, and Mon, Dec 15, on Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Street (E10). Karishma H. NandkeolyarAssistant Online EditorKarishma Nandkeolyar is a lifestyle and entertainment journalist with a lifelong love for storytelling — she wrote her f»»»

Tunis, Dec 12 (TAP) – A new project aimed at addressing the growing pressure on water resources in the governorates of Gafsa and Kairouan, and at improving access to water resources and water-related services for local communities, particularly...»»»

Volodymyr Zelensky is deliberately setting conditions Russia can't accept to portray it as blocking peace talks, Bogdan Bezpalko, a member of the Council for Interethnic Relations under the President of the Russian Federation, tells Sputnik. The head of the Kiev regime is also seeking a much-needed»»»

During November, Dubai’s approach to public fitness witnessed substantial momentum, as the Dubai Fitness Challenge (DFC) counted more than 3 million residents and tourists among its participants. Conceived by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Depu»»»

EIPICO announced a significant dual achievement regarding Obtains (EDA License for EIPICO 3 Factory) and the launch of its new biosimilar product (ADALIMAB), The event was chaired by both of Prof. Dr. Samir El-Badawi, Professor of Rheumatology at Cairo University and President of the Egyptian Socie»»»

Slovakia will vote against any measures allowing the EU to use frozen Russian assets to cover Ukraine’s “military expenses,” Prime Minister Robert Fico has said. Kiev’s Western backers froze about $300 billion in Russian central bank assets after the conflict escalated in 2022, most of it held at B»»»

EU officials are “systematically raping the law” by planning to strip member states of veto powers over frozen Russian assets, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has said. The European Commission is due to vote later on Friday on a plan to invoke Article 122 of the EU treaties, an emergency clau»»»

Israel and Costa Rica have signed a free trade agreement, but it must be ratified by Costa Rica's Legislative Assembly in the face of opposition by pro-Palestinian groups. File Photo by Abir Sultan/EPA Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Costa Rica and Israel finalized a free trade agreement this week that eliminates»»»

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addresses journalists outside Government House in Bangkok on Friday after dissolving the House of Representatives, the country's parliament. Photo courtesy Royal Thai Government/EPA Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul dissolved parliament»»»

Dec. 11 (UPI) -- A Swedish musician spent six months working to accomplish the "worst" and "coolest" thing he has ever done: teaching an octopus to play piano. Mattias Krantz, a YouTuber whose content usually revolves around musical instruments he modifies and plays, posted a video to the platform »»»

The ambient air on planes and in hospitals mostly contains harmless microbes typically associated with human skin, researchers reported. File Photo by Luong Thai Linh/EPA Germophobes can breathe a little easier when visiting a hospital or taking an airplane trip, a new study says. The ambient air o»»»

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam held a meeting Friday at the Grand Serail with MPs Amin Sherri and Hassan Fadlallah of Hezbollah. Following the meeting, Fadlallah stated: "My colleague and I met with Prime Minister Nawaf Salam to discuss a range of issues of concern to all Lebanese, especially as we con»»»

Tunis, Dec. 12 (TAP) – The export season of Tunisia's Maltese orange to France will begin on December 31, two weeks earlier than the previous seasons. Export forecasts for the French market put figures at nearly 15,000 tonnes, the Inter-professional...»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic said on Friday the process of obtaining permits for a Serbia-North Macedonia gas interconnector was underway and that the construction permit was due in mid-2026, after which construction works would begin. After a discus»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Europe does not have its own solution to the conflict in Ukraine, while three documents are currently being discussed with the United States, including a 20-point plan, security guarantees and Ukraine's reconstruction, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said on Friday. "There is n»»»

Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia's high court to block a social media ban for teens. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Reddit filed a lawsuit in Australia's High Court against the ban on young teens using social media, arguing that it infringes on students' rights»»»

A Conservative member of parliament said he will be crossing the floor to join Prime Minister Mark Carney's Liberals, putting his government just one seat shy of a majority and delivering another blow to the opposition party. Michael Ma, an MP from Ontario, announced his decision to join the Libera»»»

Ashgabat: The State of Qatar participated Friday in the high-level international forum held on the occasion of the International Year of Peace and Trust and the 30th Anniversary of the Permanent Neutrality of Turkmenistan, in the Turkmen capital, Ashgabat. The State of Qatar was represented at the »»»

“It’s perfectly normal for this colonial Ukrainian administration to turn to its masters in Washington, London or Brussels,” Ukrainian politics expert Alexander Dudchak told Sputnik after Volodymyr Zelensky asked the US to help secure the country in a future election. “Everyone understands that Tru»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The conflict between Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump is just a small part of the larger conflict between the United States and Europe, the chairman of the Other Ukraine movement, Viktor Medvedchuk, said on Friday. "The conflict between Zelensky and Trump is only »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is inflaming tensions and undermining peace talks on Ukraine, and Hungary, as a NATO member, rejects his statements about the need to prepare for a war with Russia, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said on Friday. On Thursday, Rutte at »»»

Kilmar Abrego Garcia delivers remarks during a rally before his check-in at the ICE Baltimore Field Office on August 25. A federal judge said Friday that he can't be re-arrested at a similar check-in Friday. File Photo by Shawn Thew/EPA Dec. 12 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Maryland ruled Friday that»»»

U.S. President Donald Trump is still convinced of the actions being taken by President Joseph Aoun and of what the government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam has achieved and intends to achieve, according to “exclusive information” obtained by the Nidaa al-Watan newspaper. Trump has informed U.S. env»»»

London: The UK Friday imposed sanctions on senior commanders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) suspected of "heinous violence" in the Darfur hub of El-Fasher, which the paramilitary group captured in October. The Foreign Office in London said those targeted include RSF second-in-command Abdelra»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia and Iran are working on strengthening bilateral ties in the field of security, the chairman of the Iranian Parliament's National Security and Foreign Policy Committee, Ebrahim Azizi, said on Friday. "Some forces are trying to hinder Iranian-Russian military-technical coope»»»

ANKARA (Sputnik) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Russian President Vladimir Putin discussed comprehensive peace efforts in Ukraine during talks in Ashgabat, and Ankara expressed its support for them, the Turkish presidential office said on Friday. "Bilateral relations between Turkiye a»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The International Criminal Court (ICC), with the support of the Dutch government, is developing measures in case of new US sanctions, Dutch Foreign Minister David van Weel said on Friday. On Wednesday, media reported that the US administration, threatening sanctions, was demandin»»»

A Sudanese paramilitary commander, whose role in the el-Fasher massacre was revealed by BBC Verify, has been sanctioned by the UK government. Brig Gen Al-Fateh Abdullah Idris, also known as Abu Lulu, was filmed shooting dead at least 10 unarmed captives after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized t»»»

The economic affairs committee at Egypt’s House of Representatives has released recently a statement following a closed meeting, attended by the governor of the Central Bank of Egypt (CBE) Tarek Amer to discuss the monetary policies and the evolution of the foreign reserves from 2010 to 2016. Tarek»»»

Tunis, Dec 12 (TAP) — The National Industry 4.0 Hub was officially inaugurated on Friday in Tunis. It is a central entity housed within the Agency for the Promotion of Industry and Innovation (APII) to bring together all actors in the industrial...»»»

Memo to the unelected Eurobozos of the European Union’s executive branch 'responsible' for setting policy: just because you keep calling a pile of cash you’re hell-bent on handing over to Ukraine a “loan” doesn’t mean it actually is. No one in their right mind would lend you money right now. Which »»»

Police have arrested a 54-year-old domestic worker on suspicion of stealing valuable jewelry from a residence in the Athens suburb of Nea Ionia. A 37-year-old man was also arrested as her accomplice. The domestic worker had been employed at the residence since July 2024, and her activities are beli»»»

The Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) – United Left will consistently advocate for the adoption of a socially oriented budget, whose guiding principle is the protection of the social rights of a wide range of citizens, BSP Chair and outgoing Deputy Prime Minister Atanas Zafirov said at a press confer»»»

NIS - Serbian Parliament Speaker Ana Brnabic said on Friday 2025 had been a year of turmoil for the parliament but would end in the best possible way - with a good, constructive debate involving the ruling coalition, the opposition and civil society. "We have normal work of the Serbian parliament, »»»

PoliticsAfricaTrump's new security strategy: A chance for Africa?Martina SchwikowskiUS President Donald Trump's new foreign policy focuses less on aid and more on trade with African countries, specifically on raw materials. Could this be a wake-up call for Africa to become more economically indepen»»»

Aceh Tamiang, Indonesia: Almost two weeks on from devastating floods, Muslim worshippers in Indonesia's Sumatra who gathered at their local mosque on Friday for prayers were blocked from entering by a huge pile of thousands of uprooted trees. The deadly torrential rains had inundated vast tracts of»»»

Geneva: The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) announced today that it will reduce food rations for Sudanese communities in famine due to a funding shortfall, effective next month. "Beginning in January, rations will be reduced to 70 percent for communities in famine areas and 50 percent for»»»

Dubai: After eight long years, the verdict in the 2017 Kerala actress assault case has finally arrived. Six men have been sentenced to 20 years. But before we discuss the courts, the lawyers, or the loopholes, we must acknowledge the woman who made this moment possible. Bhavana. It is her courage —»»»

A new building has been constructed for the Oktyabrsky District Prosecutor’s Office in Bishkek. The press service of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. According to the press service, the opening of the new building is one of the important results of the work. «This wo»»»