TEHRAN – The first global assessment of mangroves by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has classified mangrove forests in the Persian Gulf as vulnerable (VU) overall.

TEHRAN – Iranian and Afghan officials have discussed ways to promote cooperation between the two countries in the pharmaceutical and medical equipment fields.

TEHRAN – Held annually on December 5, World Soil Day 2025 focuses on urban landscapes with the theme Healthy Soils for Healthy Cities.

Donald Trump has warned European nations that they are under threat of 'civilisational erasure' and will be 'unrecognisable' in the next 20 years.

EU leaders are constantly making unacceptable demands, complicating Russia-US efforts to reach a settlement on Ukraine Read Full Article at RT.com

The International Sambo Federation has restored the rights of Russian and Belarusian national teams Read Full Article at RT.com

The first African Media Excellence Awards in Addis Ababa recognized diverse storytelling and rising media talent from across Africa Read Full Article at RT.com

This has been an eventful year for me, writes SARAH VINE. But if my memoir has taught me anything, it's that the truth really can set you free. Honesty, it seems, really is the best policy.

When I read that a TV presenter called Holly Willoughby had knocked over a moped rider, breaking his neck, my first reaction was: Oh dear, how sad, never mind.

Zia Yusuf, the party's head of policy, appeared on the immigration special to debate the issue but was questioned by a man who had arrived in the UK illegally.

Reform leader Nigel Farage had demanded the Chancellor be investigated for saying there was a black hole in the public finances of more than £20billion, which it later emerged did not exist.

A 57-year-old man was arrested on Thursday (Dec 4) for his suspected involvement in a series of theft in dwelling cases. In a statement on Dec 5, the police said they were alerted to a case of theft at a drinks stall at a hawker centre along Old Airport Road, where $20 in cash was stolen. The police said the suspect was identified with the aid of images from police cameras and through ground queries. Preliminary investigations revealed that he is also believed to be involved in other similar cases of theft in dwelling. The suspect will be charged in court on Dec 6. If found guilty, he can be fined and jailed for up to seven years. The police also advised businesses, especially those operating in high-traffic public areas, to secure valuables such as tip boxes and cash containers to prevent opportunistic theft. [[nid:726273]]editor@asiaone.com 

Congress MP Shashi Tharoor lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi's diplomatic gestures towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, highlighting the significance of symbolic actions in foreign policy. Tharoor emphasized that these gestures, including receiving Putin at the airport and gifting him the Bhagwad Gita, signal the continuity of India's important relationship with Russia.

The Civil Aviation Ministry has directed airlines, particularly IndiGo, to resolve large-scale disruptions and restore services promptly. Flight schedules are expected to stabilize by midnight and fully normalize within days, with passengers able to track delays from home.

The Russian president emphasized that the creation of a free trade zone between India and the Eurasian Economic Union would certainly contribute to the expansion of Russian-Indian commercial ties

The Russian Deputy Prime Minister said the measures taken by the Central Bank, the government, and financial authorities are having an impact on the decline in inflation

The National Security Strategy notes that in order to build healthy ties with the Middle East, the United States should accept «the region, its leaders, and its nations as they are»

The news agency quoted German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as saying there is «no possibility of leaving the money we mobilize to the US»

They include a program for the development of strategic directions of Russian-Indian economic cooperation until 2030, as well as an agreement on combating illegal migration

Economic Development Minister Maksim Reshetnikov has outlined ways to boost trade between Moscow and New Delhi in an interview with RT Read Full Article at RT.com

Russian President Vladimir Putin's specially modified Ilyushin Il-80, dubbed the “Flying Kremlin,” became the world's most tracked flight en route to Delhi. This secure airborne command center, designed for extreme conditions and equipped with advanced communication and defensive systems, underscores Russia's strategic leadership protection.

Prime Minister Modi hailed India-Russia ties as a «North star» in a changing world, announcing an economic cooperation program until 2030. Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to energy security and combating terrorism. Discussions also covered trade, with Russia pledging continued fuel shipments to India's growing economy.

Prime Minister Modi and President Putin held crucial talks, with India asserting it's not «neutral» on the Ukraine war, advocating for peace. Modi highlighted continuous contact and trust during the crisis. Putin briefed on peace efforts, acknowledging India's profound support and personal attention from the PM. Discussions also covered space and AI advancements.

Sarkozy’s supporters have created a narrative of elite fragility under scrutiny, diverting the focus from his legal violations Read Full Article at RT.com

Kirill Dmitriev has accused German Chancellor Friedrich Merz of sabotaging the Ukraine peace process with his “warmongering” Read Full Article at RT.com

Niger has threatened to prosecute French firm Orano after allegedly finding 400 barrels of harmful radioactive materials near a uranium site Read Full Article at RT.com

Ukraine’s Zelensky is pursuing the agenda of a narrow group of radical nationalists instead of seeking peace, Putin has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Russia is prepared to share space technology with India and pursue joint missions, the deputy PM has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Singapore marathoner Soh Rui Yong’s hopes of contending for a medal at the 2025 SEA Games are now uncertain after an abnormal finding surfaced during his pre-Games medical screening. But he is unfazed and remains hopeful. In a Facebook post on Friday (Dec 5), Soh wrote: «The doctor says I’m getting old. Looking forward to proving my heart health at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon this weekend.» The medical screening was conducted at Changi General Hospital a day earlier. Soh was informed that he might not be cleared to compete as his electrocardiogram (ECG) results were «abnormal, with multiple premature ventricular complexes» and that he would “likely to need further cardiovascular evaluation before clearance”, reported The Straits Times. Soh told The Straits Times that he has not experienced any cardiovascular difficulties previously and hopes that the issue will be resolved in time for his race on Dec 16. In spite of the situation, Soh still intends to compete in the half marathon and marathon at this weekend's Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon. 

Many parents of students with disabilities have concerns about the school-to-work transition for their children when they turn 18 and complete schooling at special education schools (Sped), said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Friday (Dec 5). He was speaking at the launch of Vista @ Enabling Village in Bukit Merah on Friday morning, where he also announced the launch of a new taskforce on assurance for families with persons with disabilities at the event. Vista, a four-storey block at the Enabling Village, provides a dedicated space for those with disabilities after they turn 18 and age out of the system. It will also host initiatives that strengthen support for caregivers. 

Barisan Sosialis — once Singapore’s largest Opposition party — is one of the 14 dormant political parties that were deregistered on Thursday (Dec 4). This comes after the authorities gave the political parties three months to give proof of their continued existence to ensure they comply with the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act. Under the law, those involved in Singapore’s political process, such as political parties and Members of Parliament, are designated as politically significant persons and are subjected to measures to mitigate the risk of foreign interference. For instance, they have to report single donations of $10,000 or more, and are required to disclose if they have been granted migration benefits such as permanent residency or honorary citizenship by foreign governments. The Ministry of Home Affairs told The Straits Times that Singapore now has 20 registered political parties. Eleven of them contested in the 2025 General Election. According to a notice in the Government Gazette on Thursday, the political parties that have ceased to exist are:

A year after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in New York, court hearings provide details of the arrest of Luigi Mangione, accused of killing him.

As she fights to keep her seat on the Federal Trade Commission, Rebecca Slaughter has emerged as one of the primary opponents of Trump’s war on the federal workforce.