His overarching theme was the joy of pilgrimage, writes ROBERT HARDMAN. This is, after all, a King who, in past years, would go off for a restorative retreat at a remote Greek monastery.

There are so many women like me - including fellow mothers - spiralling further into addiction, aided and abetted by the season of excess.

I love this time of the year. But it is bitter sweet for farmers, writes JAMIE BLACKETT.

Several other swimmers had to be dragged to safety from the choppy waters at Budleigh Salterton as high winds created huge swells.

Our audit of Food Standards Agency (FSA) food hygiene ratings - part of a wider series unmasking the nation's dirtiest shops - found 1,224 failed inspections.

Megha Majumdar's new novel, 'A Guardian and a Thief’, is an Oprah's Book Club selection, a finalist for the National Book Award and the Kirkus Prize, and on the longlist for the American Library Association's Andrew Carnegie Medal. Her first book, 'A Burning’, was nominated for the National Book Award, the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize and the Carnegie Medal, and won a Sahitya Akademi Yuva Puraskar in India.

India has raised concerns with the US over the abrupt cancellation of pre-scheduled H-1B visa interviews for thousands of Indian applicants. These interviews, postponed for enhanced social media vetting, have caused significant delays and hardships for skilled workers unable to return to their jobs in the US.

India's women's safety challenges persist in 2025, with official crime data revealing only a fraction of the reality. Decades of reforms haven't erased gender inequality, social stigma, and uneven justice access, leaving many incidents unreported due to fear, family pressure, and systemic barriers. This gap between reported crimes and lived experiences highlights the ongoing struggle for safety.

Dr. Dimple Padawe, Dean of Government Dental College, was crowned 'Mrs India Classic', using the platform to raise awareness about oral cancer, especially in tribal communities. Her impactful national costume, featuring a digitally printed saree and a crown of artificial cigarettes, symbolized the disease's devastating effects.

[Premium Times] Across six host cities and nine stadiums, players have stepped up in crucial moments earning Men of the Match honours, shaping results and giving fans early markers of who could matter most as the tournament develops

TEHRAN – President Masoud Pezeshkian has declared the national document on women’s health as a comprehensive and strategic initiative to enhance women’s physical, mental, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being.

TEHRAN – Iran and Russia will support the implementation of 15 out of 115 research projects proposed after the second joint call by the Iran National Science Foundation (INSF) and the Russian Science Foundation (RSF).

Ce 24 décembre, à Franceville, j'ai partagé un moment de joie avec les enfants de la ville. Des cadeaux remis, des rires échangés, et quelques tours de manège à Franceville Land, simplement pour le plaisir d'être ensemble. Voir leurs sourires, les entendre rire, les regarder s'émerveiller… C'est cela, la magie de Noël. Ces instants comptent. Parce que nos enfants sont précieux. Parce qu'ils méritent des souvenirs heureux, faits de douceur, de fête et d'insouciance. Merci aux (...) - SOCIETE / SUJET_ECRIT_MAISON

An Axios reporter has claimed the two leaders are set to talk at Mar-a-Lago on Sunday, citing officials in Kiev Read Full Article at RT.com

Among the Epstein files are records on his death in New York’s Metropolitan Correctional Center, but nothing so far challenges a ruling that he died by suicide.

Red-state farmers continue to struggle under damaging inflation and the fallout of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies, especially with China.

TEHRAN – Highlighting Iran’s extensive capabilities in science and technology, Rolliansyah Soemirat, the Indonesian ambassador to Tehran, has said the new Indonesian administration intends to develop scientific and technological ties with Iran.

TEHRAN – Iranian and Armenian officials have agreed to accelerate the implementation of joint projects in the health sector, particularly the registration of food, medicine, and medical equipment.

The Russian security agency has reported thwarting a Ukrainian terrorist plot involving an 18-year-old woman Read Full Article at RT.com

Germany is using EU sanctions as a pretext to harass Russians, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova has said Read Full Article at RT.com

Niger’s authorities have banned US nationals from entering the country in a reciprocal response to the White House Read Full Article at RT.com

The development comes after flight disruptions by the largest carrier left thousands stranded across India in early December Read Full Article at RT.com

EU quarterly trade surplus with Russia hit €1.5 billion in Q3 2025, the first time since 2002, data shows   Read Full Article at RT.com

National carrier Singapore Airlines (SIA) has cancelled several flights to and from New York as a winter storm descended on the city and neighbouring regions.According to the US Weather Prediction Center, heavy snow is expected to start falling in New York City and across Long Island from the afternoon of Dec 26 to 27, with as much as 20cm piling up before the storm winds down.An advisory posted on SIA's website on Thursday (Dec 25) afternoon, and updated again at 11pm, indicated that the following flights have been cancelled:SQ26 departing New York's John F. Kennedy airport (JFK) at 8.35am on Dec 26SQ24 departing Singapore for JFK at 12.10pm on Dec 26SQ25 departing JFK for Frankfurt at 8.15pm on Dec 26SQ23 departing JFK for Singapore at 10.05pm on Dec 26SQ22 departing Singapore for New York's Newark at 5.30am on Dec 27SQ21 departing Newark for Singapore at 5.45pm on Dec 27SIA also said that the situation remains fluid and that other SIA flights may also be affected. Affected customers will be contacted by SIA.

A SMRT bus captain was recorded on dashcam footage confronting a car driver for purportedly hogging a lane on Wednesday (Dec 24). The incident occurred along Woodlands Ave 1 at about 2.55pm, according to Facebook page SGRV. In the footage obtained from the vehicle between the bus and car, the bus is seen inching forward and trying to manoeuvre into a bus bay but is unable to do so. The bus captain then alights and approaches the car in front of the dashcam vehicle. He animatedly gestures towards the road in front of the car which is seemingly empty and raises one arm in apparent exasperation. The said car subsequently moves forward as the traffic light ahead turns green. Netizens are divided over whether the bus driver should have confronted the car driver. «I feel the bus driver could have told the driver more nicely first. If driver still does not wanna move, then bus driver can raise his request in a stricter tone (sic),» opined a Facebook user. Another raised the possibility that the car might not have had enough space to drive forward.

Singapore's manufacturing output recorded a 14.3 per cent jump in November, year-on-year, led by strong performance in biomedical manufacturing, the Economic Development Board said on Friday (Dec 26).The factory output numbers showed moderation from October's high of 28.9 per cent.Excluding the volatile biomedical manufacturing sector, manufacturing output rose by 4.6 per cent year-on-year, compared to October's revised 15.5 per cent growth.According to data provided, all clusters, except for general manufacturing, recorded growth in November.Biomedical engineering surged by 79.3 per cent year-on-year in November, driven by growth in pharmaceuticals and medical technology.Pharmaceutical output grew by 124.3 per cent in particular, due to increased production of active pharmaceutical ingredients.The second best performing cluster was transport engineering, up 24.2 per cent year-on-year. The aerospace segment in particular expanded by 33.8 per cent, bolstered by higher production of aircraft parts and sustained maintenance, repair and overhaul jobs from commercial airlines.

The Brasserie restaurant at the Copthorne Hotel was once a much-loved family venue. Pictured: Sue Reid's tour of the Copthorne, which is now migrant accommodation

Struggling retailers will lose out on the much-needed revenue as consumer confidence collapses amid Rachel Reeves' tax bombshells.

The Archbishop of York says he was 'intimidated' by Israeli militias during a visit to the Holy Land.

According to Vladimir Potanin, the year was quite challenging for the country’s financial sector

The family plans to use the prize to buy an apartment

Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko stressed that the conversation Muneo Suzuki, a member of Japan’s upper house of parliament, highlighted «the importance of Japan’s efforts aimed at preserving the positive achievements of previous years in terms of bilateral relations»

«The inadequacy of such statements permeates the message itself, if there is one at all, and speaks volumes about the level and emotional state of decision-makers in Kiev,» Sergey Ryabkov said

The regional crisis center reported that three civilians suffered injuries