CATEGORIES

Anil Kapoor calls 2024 a year of 'grit and growth'

Anil Kapoor described 2024 as a year of “grit, grind, and growth” while sharing his excitement for bigger achievements in 2025.

Swiatek takes Poland into United Cup semis

Poland returned to the semifinals of the United Cup mixed team tournament for a third successive year after hard-fought singles victories in Sydney handed them an unassailable 2-0 lead over Britain on Thursday.

Ananya Panday shares a picture with'shiny friends'

Several B-Towners rang in New Year in Jamnagar with the Ambani family. Ananya Panday, who was also present, shared a picture from the bash on her Instagram account.

'Numb' New Orleans grapples with horror of deadly attack

The celebratory atmosphere of Bourbon Street in New Orleans, long an American byword for indulgence and revelry, was dimmed Wednesday as residents and visitors alike reeled from a deadly truck attack on New Year's crowds.

Tesla Cybertruck explodes outside Trump Las Vegas hotel, killing one

FBI investigating whether it’s an act of terrorism; seven people injured in the incident

MrBeast gets engaged to Thea Booysen

New Year marked new beginnings for popular YouTuber MrBeast.

'Mind of steel': Iranian Nobel laureate defiant despite long imprisonment

Narges Mohammadi, the Iranian 2023 Nobel Peace Prize laureate, says her body may be weakened from her long imprisonment but she still has a mind of \"steel\", according to an interview published Thursday.

11 years on, Syria protesters demand answers on abducted activists

A few dozen protesters gathered in the Syrian city of Douma on Wednesday demanding answers about the fate of four prominent activists abducted more than a decade ago.

Biden to award Trump critic Cheney with service medal

US President Joe Biden on Thursday will award Liz Cheney, a former Republican congresswoman and fierce critic of Donald Trump, with a citizens service medal, after the incoming president warned that she \"could be in a lot of trouble\" with the law once he takes office.

'Sword of Honour' race takes centre stage at Meydan

Dubai Racing Club will host an exceptional evening on Friday at Meydan Racecourse under the name \"Sword of Honour,\" in celebration of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid bin Mohammed bin Rashid AI Maktoum's graduation from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where he was awarded the Sword of Honour and the Sword of Excellence.

Syria forces launch security sweep in Homs city, says state media

Syrian security forces are conducting an operation in Homs city, state media reported on Thursday, with a monitor saying it targeted two districts that are home to the Alawite minority of toppled president Bashar AI Assad.

UK plans tough laws to fight people smugglers

Restrictions include travel bans, social media blackouts, says government

Gaza rescuers say Israeli strikes kill police chief, 2 dozen others

Israel struck a declared humanitarian zone in southern Gaza overnight, which rescuers on Thursday said killed the head of the territory's Hamas-run police force, his deputy and nine others.

US jobless claims slide to 8-month low

The number of Americans filing new applications for unemployment benefits dropped to an eightmonth low last week, pointing to low layoffs at the end of 2024 and consistent with a still healthy labour market.

Syria FM hopes first foreign visit to Saudi opens 'new, bright page'

Syria's top diplomat said he hoped to open a \"new, bright page\" with Saudi Arabia upon arriving in the kingdom Wednesday, the first foreign visit for Syria's new rulers, who seized power last month.

ETFs may face obstacles after bumper year

US exchange-traded funds could face more obstacles to their runaway growth in 2025 after a bumper year saw the products take in a record $1.1 trillion in inflows in 2024.

Questions hover over US probes into Musk's empire

Last month, in the waning days of the Biden administration, the SEC set a tight deadline of several days for demanding that Elon Musk pay a settlement or face civil charges relating to alleged securities violations during his $44 billion takeover of Twitter in 2022.

Italy summons Iran envoy over jailed reporter

Italy’s Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani on Thursday summoned the Iranian ambassador to Rome over the detention of an Italian journalist, held in isolation since her arrest in Tehran two weeks ago.

Syria minister defends school curriculum changes after uproar

Syria's education minister on Thursday sought to minimise curriculum changes announced this week by the new Islamist-led authorities, after activists denounced them as \"extremist\" and potentially harmful to religious minorities.

Europe, Asia's factories end '24 on weak footing

Factory activity in Asia and Europe ended 2024 on a soft note as expectations for the new year soured amid growing trade risks from a second Donald Trump presidency and China's fragile economic recovery.

Virgin Australia crew allegedly raped and robbed in Fiji

The Fiji government on Thursday said police were investigating incidents involving two crew members of Australian airline Virgin Australia who were allegedly victims of rape and theft in Nadi in the early hours of New Year's Day.

India clears toxic waste 40 years after 1984 Bhopal gas disaster

Indian authorities moved hundreds of tonnes of hazardous waste remaining more than 40 years after the world’s deadliest industrial disaster struck the city of Bhopal, media reported on Thursday.

ADGM slashes commercial licence fees by more than 50%

The Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), the international financial centre of the UAE's capital, on Thursday said it had revised licence fees from January 1, 2025, to make it more attractive and accessible for various enterprises.

Lovestruck couples who survived college together, graduate hand in hand

The auditorium buzzed with excitement as graduates donned their caps and gowns, cameras flashing as proud families captured the moment. Among the sea of smiling faces were man and wife, Fan and Xin Yang, standing side by side, holding their baby in their arms. It wasn’t just a graduation ceremony — it was a celebration of their journey together.

200-year-old Sharjah house now vibrant community hub

A small yet iconic council in Sharjah, located in one of the oldest areas of the emirate, has become a symbol of community, tradition, and the region's deep-rooted history.

Is Airbnb legal in Dubai? How to register apartments as holiday homes?

The property has to be registered with the relevant authority, and only approved apartments and villas can be listed for short-term rentals

New Year's Eve was a nightmare for Dubai fire evacuees

Days after a fire erupted in an AI Barsha building near Dubai's Mall of the Emirates, tenants were allowed to return for essential items like documents briefly.

Dubai eateries expect plastic ban to raise operational costs

Eateries and restaurants in Dubai are expecting their costs to increase after the soft implementation of a ban on singleuse plastic products began on January 1.

Inspired by movies, books, expats make travel plans

For many UAE residents, travel is no longer about sightseeing but diving deep into a destination to explore.

Emiratisation hits 350% increase

For the first time, the number of Emiratis employed in the UAE's private sector hit 131,000 in 2024 — marking a significant 350-percent increase, it was announced on Thursday.