Asian stocks edged higher on Friday amid holiday-thinned trade and with some exchanges closed for Boxing Day, while precious metals extended their year-long rally towards record highs.
An astounding 20 wickets fell on a frantic day one of the fourth Ashes Test on Friday with Australia all out for 152 before storming back to dismiss England for 110 and leave the clash on a knife-edge.
Before the first vote is even cast in Kosovo's snap election on Sunday, experts predict it is unlikely to end the political crisis that has been gripping Europe's youngest country for almost a year.
Sports
A rampant England tore through the Australian batting to dismiss the hosts for just 152 on day one of the fourth Ashes Test Friday in a huge confidence boost for the maligned tourists.
December 26, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Palladino's Atalanta on the up as Serie A leaders Inter visit
Sports
December 26, 2025
Presidential candidates in Guinea, including junta leader General Mamady Doumbouya, held their final political rallies Thursday ahead of this weekend's elections.
December 26, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Aston Villa face a tough challenge at Chelsea on Saturday after muscling their way into the Premier League title race alongside Arsenal and Manchester City.
December 25, 2025
Reigning champions Oklahoma City have the NBA's best record, but they can't find a way to defeat San Antonio, with superstar Victor Wembanyama coming off the bench Thursday to help lift the Spurs to an emphatic 117-102 victory.
December 25, 2025
Former prime minister Najib Razak faces judgment on Friday for his alleged involvement in Malaysia's 1MDB mega-graft scandal, with a guilty verdict likely to add years to a sentence already being served.
December 25, 2025
Politics
Russia has made an offer to France regarding a jailed researcher facing espionage charges that could see him sentenced to 20 years in prison, the Kremlin said Thursday.
December 25, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Britain's King Charles III called for "compassion and reconciliation" at a time of "division" across the world in his Christmas Day message Thursday.
Former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who is serving a 27-year prison sentence for an attempted coup, underwent a "successful" surgery on Thursday for an inguinal hernia, his wife said.
The chief of a prominent anti-disinformation watchdog has sued President Donald Trump's administration over a US entry ban, calling it an "unconstitutional" attempt to expel the permanent American resident, court filings showed Wednesday.
Sarah Mullally, who becomes head of the Church of England next month, warned during a Christmas sermon on Thursday that national conversations over immigration were dividing British society.
December 25, 2025
Politics
Moscow has made an offer to Paris regarding jailed French researcher Laurent Vinatier, who is facing espionage charges that could see him sentenced to 20 years in a Russian prison, the Kremlin said Thursday.
December 25, 2025
RECENT NEWS
Aspiring prime minister and political heavyweight Tarique Rahman returned to Bangladesh on Thursday, ending 17 years in self-imposed exile with a promise to deliver safety and justice if his party wins next year's elections.
Nigeria police said Thursday that they suspected a suicide bomber was behind the blast that killed several worshippers in a mosque on Christmas eve in the country's northeastern Borno state.
Organisers at the Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco are allowing supporters in for free after kick-off in matches where stadiums are not full, a Confederation of African Football source told AFP.
Mali coach Tom Saintfiet on Thursday railed against the decision to play the Africa Cup of Nations every four years instead of two, insisting the move was forced upon the continent by FIFA and European clubs motivated by money.
December 25, 2025
- Pope urges Russia, Ukraine dialogue in Christmas blessing
- Last Christians gather in ruins of Turkey's quake-hit Antakya
- Pope Leo condemns 'open wounds' of war in first Christmas homily
- Mogadishu votes in first local elections in decades under tight security
- Prime minister hopeful Tarique Rahman arrives in Bangladesh
- 'Starting anew': Indonesians in disaster-struck Sumatra hold Christmas mass
- Cambodian PM's wife attends funerals of soldiers killed in Thai border clashes
- Prime minister hopeful Tarique Rahman arrives in Bangladesh: party