Lagos’s Month of Partying Is Getting Pricier

new video loaded: Lagos’s Month of Partying Is Getting Pricier Detty December means a month of “back to back to back” partying in Nigeria’s megacity. Ruth Maclean, the West Africa bureau chief for The New York Times, attends for the first time. By Ruth Maclean, Taiwo Aina, Karen Hanley and Christina Thornell December 26, 2025 […]

Saudi Arabia: Man jumps off Grand Mosque in Makkah in apparent suicide attempt | World News

Saudi authorities said a security officer suffered fractures while stopping a man who jumped at the Grand Mosque in Makkah/ Screengrab X A man was injured after jumping from the upper levels of the Grand Mosque in Makkah on Thursday, December 25, prompting an immediate response from security personnel stationed at the holy site, Saudi […]

Saudi Halal Centre unveils new halal mark with ESG standards | World News

Saudi Arabia unveils ESG-aligned Halal Mark Track, enhancing trust, sustainability, and global halal market growth/Image: SPA The Saudi Halal Centre has introduced a new Halal Mark Track to strengthen the Kingdom’s role in the global halal market. By combining halal certification with Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards, the initiative aims to build more trust […]

Saudi Arabia introduces new White Land Rules, imposes fines up to 100% on undeveloped plots | World News

Saudi rolls out White Land fees, heavy penalties / Image: Files The landscape of Saudi Arabia’s real estate market is undergoing a seismic shift. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing (MOMAH) recently launched a new draft regulation outlining strict violations and heavy fines for the “White Land and Vacant Property Tax” system. Currently out for […]

UAE: Sharjah grants government employee status to imams and muezzins across all mosques | World News

Sharjah granted imams and muezzins government employee status, including promotions, health insurance, allowances, and paid leave benefits/Image: X Sharjah has taken a historic step to formally recognize the contributions of imams and muezzins by granting them the same status and benefits as government employees. The directive, issued by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed […]

Bangladesh: Yunus aide quits amid unrest over Hadi’s death

DHAKA: One of Muhammad Yunus’s top aides on home affairs resigned from the interim government in the aftermath of mob violence in major cities of Bangladesh, including in Dhaka, following the death of radical leader Sharif Osman Hadi on December 18, six days after he was shot in the head. Officials said the resignation of […]

China social media thrashes one-child policy after population control czar dies

Peng Peiyun was China’s Family Planning Commission head from 1988-98 BEIJING: The death of a former head of China’s one-child policy has been met not by tributes but by castigation of the abandoned policy on social media this week. State media praised Peng Peiyun, head of China’s Family Planning Commission from 1988 to 1998, as […]

A million more Epstein documents have been found, justice department says

File photo: Jeffrey Epstein (Picture credit: AP) WASHINGTON: The justice department said on Wednesday that it had discovered more than 1 million more documents potentially related to the investigation of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein – increasing the amount previously known and lengthening the time it will take to release the material.To date, the department […]

In first Christmas sermon, Pope Leo tells world’s leaders to talk rather than make war

Pope Leo XIV arrives at St Peter’s square ahead of the Urbi et Orbi message VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV on Thursday used his first Christmas message as pontiff to call for “peace and consolation for the victims of all current wars in the world” as well as for those suffering from “injustice, political instability, […]

Back after 17 years, Khaleda’s son appeals for an inclusive Bangladesh | India News

Tarique Rahman (in white shirt), who returned along with his wife Zubaida and daughter Zaima, will be PM if BNP wins the Feb elections DHAKA: Former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia’s son and BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh to a rousing welcome on Thursday after over 17 years in self-exile in Britain, a […]