Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly handed over housing contracts to beneficiaries of the national housing project for youth in the town of Tod, during his visit to several development and service projects in Luxor on Saturday. The project, known as “Tod Housing,” involves the completion of 30 resident»»»

The US attack on Venezuela will embolden China to strengthen its territorial claims over areas such as Taiwan and parts of the South China Sea but will not hasten any potential invasion of Taiwan, analysts said. Chinese President Xi Jinping's considerations about Taiwan and his timeline are separat»»»

The composer of the musical Wicked has said he will not appear at the Kennedy Center after its board voted toinclude US President Donald Trump's name in the name of the venue. Stephen Schwartz said in a statement that appearing at the centre "has now become an ideological statement", adding: "As lo»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - US crude could hit the low $50 per barrel range in the near term with the Trump administration's intent to turn the spigots up in Venezuela after its seizure of the Latin American country and its oil, veteran energy market analyst John Kilduff told Sputnik. US West Texas Inte»»»

Tunis, January 4 (TAP) — Waterbird populations in Tunisia recorded slight fluctuations between 2019 and 2023, ranging from a low of 376,691 individuals in 2019 to a peak of 543,095 in 2023. Over the period, 105 waterbird species were identified...»»»

Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores, arrived at Stewart International Airport in New York State after being seized during a US military operation in Caracas, according to reports. Aerial footage showed Maduro disembarking from the aircraft accompanied by several individua»»»

Perth, Australia: Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka got her 2026 season off to a winning start for Japan in the United Cup, after Great Britain's Emma Raducanu pulled out of their singles clash with a fitness issue. But despite Osaka's win, GB took the match 2-1 with a deciding mixed double»»»

A 30-year-old man has succumbed to injuries sustained during a brawl between two groups at a nightclub in Patra, western Greece, late Saturday night. The incident reportedly began over a trivial matter and quickly escalated into a full-scale fight, according to state broadcaster ERT. The victim die»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia has been discussing a possible expert visit to the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) for six months, Oleg Postnikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Department for Nonproliferation and Arms Contr»»»

CARACAS (Sputnik) - Colombia has requested an emergency UNSC meeting over US aggression in Venezuela, along with sessions of the OAS Permanent Council and foreign ministers from CELAC, Angie Rodriguez, director of Colombia’s Administrative Department of the Presidency, said. "Colombia has called a »»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The global oversupply in oil is likely to exceed levels previously forecast for this year, posing a new challenge to OPEC as Venezuela looks poised to pump more crude under US charge, energy markets commentator John Kilduff told Sputnik. "OPEC could be overwhelmed by a new wa»»»

Israeli forces shot and killed at least three Palestinians in separate incidents in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on Sunday, local health authorities said. Medics reported that the dead included a 15-year-old boy, a fisherman killed outside areas still occupied by Israel in the enclav»»»

Dubai: Residents of Bhagirathpura, where 10 people died after consuming contaminated drinking water, have blamed a police outpost toilet allegedly built without a proper septic tank, calling it a shocking case of negligence that turned a basic civic facility into a deadly hazard. According to local»»»

KUWAIT, Jan 4 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Tareq Al Banai said Sunday, the United Nations constitutes the cornerstone of diplomatic engagement and multilateral action, affirming Kuwait's relationship with organization.Al-Banai made the remarks in a pr»»»

The charity Brigitte Bardot established has issued a warning about "scam" merchandise purporting to fund its work following the French actress's death. The Brigitte Bardot Foundation said it was aware of "crude fabrications" being advertised online alongside claims the proceeds will go to the anima»»»

CARACAS (Sputnik) - No one supports the US attack on Venezuela; it is condemned by the international community, Venezuelan Foreign Minister Ivan Gil told Sputnik. "I spoke with various foreign ministers, we received words of solidarity, support, condemnation [of the US attack], support for the rule»»»

KUWAIT, Jan 4 (KUNA) -- Kuwait's Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha) referred Sunday a supervisory official and others at the Ministry of Public Works to the Public Prosecution over suspected forgery and embezzlement of public funds.In a statement, Nazaha said it will continue examining reports, col»»»

A newly unsealed US Justice Department indictment accuses captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro of running a “corrupt, illegitimate government” fueled by an extensive drug-trafficking operation that flooded the US with thousands of tons of cocaine. The arrest of Maduro and his wife in a stun»»»

The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai) has launched the “Closer to You” initiative, a community-focused campaign aimed at bringing government services directly to the public and strengthening engagement with residents and visitors. The first edition of the »»»

No disruptions have been reported in Bulgaria’ toll system following January 1, when Bulgaria joined the euro area. An organization was put in place at border crossing points, and in practice the issuance of various transport documents, vignettes and route cards, including cash payments, was not in»»»

Saudi Arabia has approved its annual borrowing plan for the 2026 fiscal year, setting projected financing needs at about $58 billion as the Kingdom seeks to fund its budget deficit while maintaining long-term debt sustainability. The plan was endorsed by Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan, who als»»»

Hezbollah has dashed Lebanese hopes of a smooth transition to the second phase of the state’s weapons exclusivity plan, due to begin next week north of the Litani River. The group revived conditions it set last year, arguing that UN Security Council Resolution 1701 applies solely to areas south of »»»

Dubai: Saudi Arabia has approved its annual borrowing plan for the 2026 fiscal year, setting out a financing framework. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The plan was endorsed by the board of directors of the National Debt Management Center and approved by Mohammed Al Ja»»»

More basic food products ended the year with price declines than increases, according to data from the State Commission on Commodity Exchanges and Markets for the period December 22 to 30, 2025. Despite this broader downward trend, the overall market price index moved higher, driven mainly by sharp»»»

Myanmar's junta said on Sunday it would release more than 6,000 prisoners as part of an annual amnesty to mark the country's independence day. The military has arrested thousands of protesters and activists since its February 2021 coup that ended Myanmar's brief democratic experiment and plunged th»»»

Nearly three months since border clashes prompted the closure of land crossings between Pakistan and Afghanistan, university students, merchants and families are left hanging with no way of getting back. "We miss our parents and relatives," said Shah Faisal, 25, who studies medicine in an Afghan un»»»

Sporadic protests broke out in the Iranian capital on Saturday evening, according to local media, which also reported intensifying clashes in the west of the country. The demonstrations first kicked off last Sunday when shopkeepers staged a strike over economic concerns, but have since spread in si»»»

Dhaka: Bangladesh will request their matches at next month's T20 World Cup be played in Sri Lanka, after India forced a Bangladeshi player to quit the Indian Premier League. "We will not accept any insult to Bangladeshi cricket, cricketers and Bangladesh under any circumstances," said Asif Nazrul, »»»

Dubai: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has launched Pre-Departure Facilitation Desks across all its zonal offices in Pakistan with immediate effect. The initiative aims to provide guidance and assistance to international travellers on immigration procedures and clearances, ensuring a smoothe»»»

On Jan. 4, 2021, a COVID-19 vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University was administered for the first time, to an 82-year-old man in Britain. 1 of 7 | File Photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA-EFE Jan. 4 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1853, Solomon Northrop regained his freedom following h»»»

Abu Dhabi: President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has emphasised that the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, continues to drive the UAE’s growth. In a post on social media, the UAE Preside»»»

Dubai: The Department of Migrant Workers (DMW) has announced the third leg of the "Bagong Bayani ng Mundo: OFW Serbisyo Caravan," which will take place at the Conrad Hotel in Dubai on 10 and 11 January 2026. The two-day event, organised through the Migrant Workers Office-Dubai (MWO-Dubai), follows »»»

North Korea fired multiple ballistic missiles off its east coast on Sunday, Seoul's military said, its first launch of the year just hours before South Korea's leader heads to China for a summit. Sunday's launch follows a US military operation against Pyongyang's socialist ally Venezuela that snatc»»»

The US capture of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro - praised by President Donald Trump as stunning and powerful - leaves behind uncertainty about who is running the oil-rich country. Trump said on Saturday that Vice President Delcy Rodriguez, part of the powerful cabal at the top of the country's g»»»

Iran's supreme leader insisted Saturday that “rioters must be put in their place” after a week of protests that have shaken the country, likely giving security forces a green light to aggressively put down the demonstrations. The first comments by 86-year-old Ali Khamenei come as violence surroundi»»»

Doha, Qatar: Rawabi Hypermarket has successfully concluded its landmark customer reward initiative, the ‘Win One Million’ campaign, with a grand Mega Draw held on January 1, 2026 at Rawabi Hypermarket, Izghawa, marking the end of an exciting seven-month-long campaign that captured widespread custom»»»

Doha, Qatar: The organising committee of the 17th Qatar International Falconry and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026) announced yesterday the winners of the “Promising Falconer” Championship, which was held as part of the festival’s activities. The festival is held under the patronage of H E Sheikh Joaa»»»

Dubai: Saudi security forces rounded up 18,805 illegal residents across the Kingdom last week, the Ministry of Interior announced on Saturday. The arrests were made during joint inspections conducted between December 25 and 31, targeting violations of residency, border security and labour laws, the»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Municipality has distributed 6,691 blue containers across Al Rayyan Municipality as part of the National Waste Sorting at Source Programme, in a move that supports Qatar National Vision 2030 and the Ministry’s public cleanliness strategy. The initiative aims to promote »»»

Doha: The year 2025 was a remarkable one for Aspetar, Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, as it dedicated all its efforts to achieving medical excellence and ensuring a safe sports environment. The hospital continued to serve Qatar’s athletes while attracting elite sports stars and patients f»»»

Doha, Qatar: In 2025, the Ministry of Social Development and Family (MSDF) continued to consolidate a comprehensive and sustainable framework for empowerment and social protection, driven by forward-looking strategies, progressive legislation, and advanced digital services. These efforts reflect th»»»

Abu Dhabi: A former employee has filed a case against his ex‑employer seeking Dh120,000 in compensation for alleged reputational and financial harm related to a termination letter, but an Abu Dhabi court has dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that it lacked a sound legal foundation. The Abu Dhabi Family»»»

Abu Dhabi: An Abu Dhabi court has ordered a man to repay Dh396,058 and to pay an additional Dh50,000 in damages after finding that he misled another individual into investing in a fraudulent online trading platform that promised secure returns. The Abu Dhabi Family, Civil and Administrative Claims »»»

Auckland, New Zealand: Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said Sunday she's still driven to play good tennis - and "it gives you great legs" - as she prepares for an Australian Open tilt at age 45. Williams will become the oldest woman to play in the main draw at the season-opening Gr»»»

Israel’s decision to revoke the licenses of more than three dozen humanitarian organizations this week has aid groups scrambling to grapple with what this means for their operations in Gaza and their ability to help tens of thousands of struggling Palestinians. The 37 groups represent some of the m»»»

On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the accession of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, DAMAC Group has planned a citywide celebration, paying tribute to two decades of transformation, ambition and global excel»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Center for Legal and Judicial Studies (CLJS) at the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has announced the launch of its Specialized Legal Training Plan for 2026, which encompasses the general track for continuous professional development, in addition to specialised legal training programmes »»»

Doha, Qatar: The global oncology platform OncoDaily has announced the selection of Dr. Khalid bin Jabr Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar Cancer Society (QCS), among the Top 100 Most Influential Figures in Oncology for 2025. This recognition comes in appreciation of his outstanding contributions to advanc»»»

Following are reactions in quotes to Saturday's US strikes on Venezuela, according to Reuters. EUROPEAN UNION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS KAJA KALLAS: "I have spoken with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and our Ambassador in Caracas. The EU is closely monitoring the situation in Venezuel»»»

Doha, Qatar: Saudi Arabia’s Abdullah Alsharbatly and stallion Boeckmanns Lord Pezi Junior continued their brilliant run in Doha, claiming another major victory in the opening Tour of the inaugural H H The Father Amir’s Prix at Al Shaqab yesterday. After winning the CSI4* 1.45m Faults & Time on Frid»»»