Middle East

Turkey

Turkey thwarts Islamic state-led New Year's Eve suicide attack plot

Turkish intelligence captured an IS member assigned to carry out suicide attacks in Turkey and Europe, as authorities warned of possible New Year's Eve attack plots. Ten suspects were detained for financing the network.

23/12/2025

Cult

Doha Celebrates Franca Sozzani and Regional Fashion Talent

In partnership with Media City

Doha hosted the first Franca Fund Gala, honouring Franca Sozzani and raising over $4M for preventive genomics. Paired with M7’s Threads of Impact exhibition featuring 100 regional designers, the event spotlighted Qatar’s rise as a cultural and creative hub.

23/12/2025

Turkey

Turkish MPs brawl during heated budget debate

Ruling party and opposition lawmakers exchanged punches after a dispute over the legacy of the Turkish Republic's founding father Atatürk. The budget was, in the end, passed despite a 10-minute fight in the chamber.

22/12/2025

Cyprus

Cyprus unveils EU presidency priorities on security and migration

Cyprus outlined priorities for the EU presidency starting 1 January 2026, focusing on autonomy, security, defence, migration, and support for Ukraine.

21/12/2025

West Bank

Israel’s approves proposal for 19 new Jewish settlements in West Bank

The decision is a harsh blow to the Palestinian state and brings the total number of new settlements over the past few years to 69.

21/12/2025

No Comment

Winter solstice: sunrise aligns with Karnak Temple in Luxor, Egypt

Hundreds of visitors gathered in Luxor to witness the winter solstice sunrise align with the Temple of Amun-Re at Karnak, marking the start of astronomical winter.

21/12/2025

Turkey

Drone incidents escalate as Turkey finds three UAVs in five days

Turkey shot down a drone from Black Sea on Monday, then found two crashed drones near Istanbul, in escalating incidents in Turkey's airspace, which Ankara has linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.

20/12/2025

Syria

US launches massive attack on Islamic state group fighters in Syria

The US launched a massive attack on 70 Islamic State combat forces in Syria on Friday, in retaliation to a recent ambush attack in which two US soldiers and one US civilian interpreter were killed.

20/12/2025

Turkey

Turkey detains actress and seven others in major illicit drug sting

Istanbul prosecutors detained eight more people on Friday in an ongoing drug investigation targeting media figures, while releasing four high-profile suspects.

19/12/2025

Focus

Doha Forum 2025: From Dialogue to Action

The 2025 Doha Forum gathered global leaders to confront the world’s toughest challenges, highlight Qatar’s growing mediation role, and unveil major development pledges. Under the theme “Justice in Action,” the focus was clear: turning dialogue into real, measurable progress.

19/12/2025

Syria

Lifting of US sanctions on Syria could spur refugee returns, UN says

The UN refugee agency reports that altogether more than 1 million refugees and nearly 2 million internally displaced Syrians have returned to their homes since Bashar al-Assad's fall.

18/12/2025

Culture news

How the FIFA Arab Cup Final became a symphony of sound and light

Some say football matches are not only determined by action on the field but by songs sung in stadiums. The Qatar 'Soundbeats' campaign wants to orchestrate an enormous wave of support at the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar by combining the noise of crowds with classical music as part of a new interactive show.

18/12/2025

Qatar in Motion

Securing water sustainability beneath the surface

In partnership with Media City

Water management in arid conditions and limited rainfall pose an inevitable challenge. But what if the solution lies beneath our feet? In this episode of Qatar in Motion, Laila Humairah goes to the depths of the earth to uncover how Qatar is creating a sustainable oasis for its green landscape.

17/12/2025

No Comment

Gaza's displaced struggle with rain and cold in fragile tents

Gaza is facing another hardship as heavy rain and cold weather hit thousands of displaced people living in fragile tent camps.

16/12/2025

No Comment

Beirut hosts colourful Christmas parade despite tension with Israel

Despite tensions with Israel and a fragile ceasefire, Lebanon entered the festive season as Beirut hosted a colourful Christmas parade, with marching bands, music and bright decorations filling the city streets.

16/12/2025

Focus

Doha Forum Youth Edition spotlights ‘Justice in Action’

In partnership with Media City

Celebrating its fifth year, the Doha Forum Youth Edition preludes under the theme, ‘Justice in Action: Beyond Promises to Progress. More than 150 youth delegates debate and discuss topics including geopolitics, emerging technologies, cultural diplomacy and global security.

16/12/2025

Turkey

Turkish fighter jets shoot down 'out of control' drone over Black Sea

The incident comes after Ukrainian strikes on Russia's "shadow fleet" and concerns from Turkish politicians that Moscow's all-out war could widen.

16/12/2025

Culture news

Cypriot city of Larnaca to become European Capital of Culture 2030

Larnaca has been chosen to be the European Capital of Culture for 2030, beating a rival bid by Limassol, according to the Cyprus State Ministry of Culture.

15/12/2025

Gaza

Hamas confirms killing of top commander in Israeli strike on Gaza

The Israeli military killed Raed Saad, commander of Hamas' military manufacturing unit, in a strike outside Gaza City on Saturday. He was the most senior militant killed since a ceasefire agreement came into effect in October.

15/12/2025

Culture news

Rare Roman-style 'Good Shepherd' fresco discovered in Turkey

The 3rd-century fresco uncovered by Turkish archaeologists is the best-preserved of its kind to date.

12/12/2025

Gaza

Gaza doctor allegedly killed hostage by injecting air into her veins

Nineteen-year-old Noa Marciano was one of 251 people taken as hostages back to Gaza in the 7 October 2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.

12/12/2025

No Comment

Video shows Gaza hostages celebrating Hanukkah before deaths

New footage shows six hostages celebrating Hanukkah in a Gaza tunnel before being killed by Hamas. Their families hope to highlight that they should have returned alive.

12/12/2025

No Comment

Turkey find reveals rare Roman-style Jesus fresco

A rare 3rd-century fresco of Jesus as the Good Shepherd was discovered near Iznik, Turkey.

12/12/2025

Partner content

Global tech talent set sights on Dubai as app championship returns

Partner content presented by Dubai Chamber

The third edition of Create Apps Championship offers first-time coders, students and tech entrepreneurs around the world a chance to transform app ideas into real ventures and win a share of over €580,000 funding for app development.

11/12/2025

Gaza

Amnesty: Hamas attacks and hostage treatment crimes against humanity

Amnesty International says Palestinian armed groups committed crimes against humanity in the 7 October 2023 attacks on Israel, with Hamas bearing primary responsibility for war crimes including murder and torture.

11/12/2025

Israel

Archaeologists uncover intact section of ancient Jerusalem wall from Hanukkah era

Archaeologists have uncovered the longest intact section of Jerusalem’s ancient Hasmonean wall, likely linked to events following the Hanukkah story. The structure may offer evidence of a 2,100-year-old ceasefire and will become part of a new gallery at the Tower of David Museum.

10/12/2025