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Santa Claus drove his reindeer-powered sleigh over rooftops around the world on Wednesday, delivering gifts to millions of children in a magic Christmas Eve ritual that North American air defence officials say they began tracking 70 years ago.Still, despite its devotion to a tradition dating back to the Cold War era of 1955, the North American Aerospace Defence Command, or NORAD, possesses limited intelligence about the direction that Santa will take in any given year.Santa is not required to file a flight plan.So the only thing NORAD knows for sure in advance is that the red-suited jolly old elf, also known as Kris Kringle or Saint Nicholas, takes off every Christmas Eve from his home base at the North Pole.’NORAD tracks Santa, but only Santa knows his route, which means we cannot predict where or when he will arrive at your house,’ a senior NORAD official said in a press statement.NORAD, a joint US-Canadian military command at Peterson Air Force Base in Colorado Springs, Colorado, has provided images and updates on Santa's worldwide journey for seven decades, along with its main task of monitoring air defences and issuing aerospace and maritime warnings.The Santa tracker tradition originated from a 1955 misprint in a Colorado Springs newspaper of the telephone number of a department store for children to call and speak with Santa.The listed number went to what was then known as the Continental Air Defence Command.An understanding officer took the youngsters' calls and assured them that Santa was airborne and on schedule to deliver presents to good girls and boys – at least those who believe in him – flying aboard his reindeer-powered sleigh.According to its website, NORAD detects Santa's liftoff with its polar radar network, then follows his journey with the same satellites used to warn of any possible missile launches aimed at North America.As soon as Santa's lead reindeer, Rudolph, switches on his shiny red nose, military personnel can zero in on his location using the satellites' infrared sensors.US President Donald Trump appeared to be following NORAD's Santa tracker on Wednesday as he sat by a Christmas tree at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, fielding telephone calls from children around the country.As he spoke to one youngster from Pennsylvania, Trump said: ‘So Santa right now is in Copenhagen, Denmark, but he's heading toward our country. What would you like from Santa?’Speaking to another caller, Trump jokingly explained the rationale for tracking Santa in terms of national security, saying: ‘We want to make sure he's not infiltrated, that we're not infiltrating into our country a bad Santa.’ Source link
Launch of Simandou iron ore mega-mine seen as major milestoneWest African regional bloc pursuing warmer ties despite coupGuinea coup leader Mamady Doumbouya is expected to coast to victory in a presidential election on Sunday, buoyed by the launch of a long-awaited iron ore mega-mine and weak competition from a fragmented field of challengers.Four years ago, Doumbouya, then a special forces commander, ousted President Alpha Conde in one of nine coups that have roiled West and Central Africa since 2020.He initially vowed not to run for office, but a new constitution approved in September removed language that would have barred him and extended the presidential term from five to seven years.Conde and longtime opposition leader Cellou Dalein Diallo are in exile and other potential challengers were disqualified for failing to submit required documents. That leaves eight challengers who are unlikely to give Doumbouya much trouble.”Let’s not kid ourselves: there can be no other opponent who can challenge him,” said Guinean political analyst Bella Bah. “But that’s not the most important thing. (After the election) the president needs to take a step back and realise that he now has to exercise power,” Bah added, urging Doumbouya to engage in dialogue with actors beyond the military.Political debate has been limited under Doumbouya, and civil society groups accuse his government of banning protests, curbing press freedom and restricting opposition activity.MINING MILESTONEGuinea holds the world’s largest reserves of bauxite and the richest untapped iron ore deposit at Simandou, which was officially launched last month.Production at Simandou, originally scheduled for 1997, had been long delayed. Doumbouya’s junta ordered development to be paused in 2022, saying it wanted to review how national interests would be safeguarded once it came online.Simandou is central to Doumbouya’s vision for Guinea: the country’s national development strategy is called Simandou 2040.Annual production at the 75% Chinese-owned project is expected to peak at some 120mn metric tons, and supporters say Doumbouya will ensure Guinea gets its share of the proceeds.”Dear Guineans, Guinea is no longer for sale,” government spokesperson Ousmane Gaoual Diallo declared at a campaign event this month. “Guinea is no longer up for grabs, Guinea is standing tall.”Doumbouya’s transitional government also revoked EGA subsidiary Guinea Alumina Corporation’s license after a refinery dispute, transferring its assets to a state-owned firm.The turn towards resource nationalism — also seen in other countries in the region with military rulers, including Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger — has bolstered Doumbouya’s popularity.”The way politics was done before and now is different. We no longer have violent campaigns, but there is enthusiasm,” said Conakry resident Mohamed Keita, 65.”People are out in the field, everyone expresses their opinions without violence.”WARMING REGIONAL TIESThe campaign has unfolded peacefully, though Doumbouya’s tight grip means it is hardly a level playing field, said Gilles Yabi, founder of West African think tank WATHI.”This is obviously a context that doesn’t allow for any hope of a free and fair presidential election,” Yabi said.”The mere fact of holding a presidential election will not change the reality of power, which will remain primarily in the hands of the military.”Despite such concerns, the West African regional bloc Ecowas is sending observers, a sign of “growing rapprochement” even though Guinea has been formally suspended since the 2021 coup, consultancy Signal Risk said in a note.About 6.7mn people are registered to vote, with provisional results expected within 48 hours of polls closing. Related Story Source link
File photo of Palestinian filmmaker Mohammed Bakri. Actor and filmmaker Mohammed Bakri, a champion of the Palestinian cause, died Wednesday aged 72, a hospital spokesperson said.He was known for his documentary “Jenin, Jenin” and his commitment to the Palestinians, which led to frequent confrontations with Israeli authorities.”Mohammed Bakri died this Wednesday at the Galilee Medical Center” in the northern Israeli city of Nahariya, hospital spokesperson Gal Zaid told AFP.He died from heart and lung problems, according to his family.Bakri was born in Galilee in 1953 into a Muslim family.He appeared in leading Israeli films but was also directed by the French-Greek director Costa-Gavras and Italian filmmakers Paolo and Vittorio Taviani.His role as a Palestinian inmate in an Israeli prison in the 1980s film “Beyond the Walls” earned him critical acclaim in Israel and around the world.But his international renown grew with the release of 2002’s “Jenin, Jenin”, which denounced alleged Israeli war crimes in the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank during the Second Intifada.The Israeli Supreme Court upheld a ban on the film in 2022, deeming it “defamatory”.The father of six also directed several socially conscious documentaries about the situation of Palestinian citizens of Israel.Arab-Israeli radio station A-Shams published a tribute on its social media, describing Bakri as a “free voice”.”From his early days in theatre, art was not simply a pastime for Mohammed Bakri, but a tool for raising awareness and engaging in dialogue,” the radio station said.”The legacy left by Mohammed Bakri will remain, reminding us that art can be an act of resistance.” Related Story Source link
Firefighters work at the site after a gas explosion caused a partial building collapse at the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol, Pennsylvania, US. A pair of explosions and a fire, apparently sparked by leaking gas, ripped through a nursing home near Philadelphia, killing a female employee and a resident, and injuring 20 people, officials said.All residents and staff of the Silver Lake Nursing Home in Bristol Township, about 33km northeast of Philadelphia, have now been accounted for and the injured taken to local hospitals, police chief Charles Winik said.Winik said people had been feared missing for a number of hours as flames and blasts gutted the nursing home. Fire Marshal Kevin Dippolito said numerous patients and staff were initially trapped inside a demolished portion of the building.Dippolito said the first firefighters arriving on the scene, some from a fire-and-rescue station across the street, encountered “a major structural collapse,” with part of the building’s first floor crumbling into the basement below.He said numerous victims were extricated from debris, blocked stairwells and stuck elevators, while firefighters ventured into the collapsed basement zone and pulled at least two more people to safety before retreating amid lingering gas fumes.”We got everyone out that we could, that we could find, that we could see, and we exited the building,” Dippolito said. “Within approximately 15 to 30 seconds of us exiting the building, knowing there was a heavy odour of natural gas around us, there was another explosion and fire.”The front of the structure appeared to have been blasted away from the inside, but the majority of the facility remained standing, though most of its windows were shattered, according to a Reuters photographer on the scene.News footage from WPVI-TV, an ABC News affiliate, showed roaring flames and smoke billowing from the crippled building shortly after the first explosion.The precise number of patients and staff inside at the time was not immediately known. The nursing home is certified for up to 174 beds, according to an official Medicare provider site.More than 50 patients, ranging in age from 50 to 95, are typically in the building at any one time, WCAU-TV reported, citing a nurse employed by the facility who arrived on the scene after the blast. About five hours later, nursing home officials had informed authorities that all patients had been accounted for, Dippolito said. Related…
Bassam Omar Shaheen, 37, stands outside his home in Gaza City’s Al-Saftawi neighbourhood in the northern Gaza Strip. Omar was injured in an attack on a…
Arab football and culture take centre stage at the second edition of the prestigious regional competition in Qatar Qatar welcomed 1,220,063 fans from the region and beyond for yet another historic edition of the FIFA Arab Cup, where 25% of spectators travelled from outside the country to attend matches. The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, held from 1 – 18 December, garnered wide attention for its spectacular celebration of Arab culture and unity, as well as the country’s organisational standards, showcasing, once again, Qatar’s capabilities in delivering mega-sporting events. The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 saw Morocco crowned champions in front of 84,517 spectators at the Final held in the iconic Lusail stadium, following a gripping knockout stage that saw 16 Arab teams compete for the coveted trophy. A total of 77 goals were scored in 32 matches, with Jordan’s Ali Olwan netting six goals in six matches to become the tournament’s top scorer. The historic tournament capped an exhilarating football season, with Qatar making history by hosting three FIFA finals in three weeks. This included the first 48-team FIFA U-17 World Cup Qatar 2025, that took place from 3-27 November, and the FIFA Intercontinental Cup Qatar 2025, that was hosted on 10, 13 and 17 December, during the rest days of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025. Here’s a look at some of the key figures from the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 as released by the tournament Local Organising Committee (LOC): 6 world-class stadiums hosted 32 matches The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 took place across six world-class stadiums that previously served as venues during the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022. The opening match featuring hosts Qatar and Palestine took place at the renowned Al Bayt Stadium, while the Final was held at Lusail Stadium. Other stadiums included: Ahmad bin Ali, Education City, Khalifa International and Stadium 974. As part of Qatar’s top-tier sporting infrastructure, participating teams were able to utilise 16 FIFA-compliant state-of-the-art training pitches. A total of 228 training sessions were conducted for referees and teams, with top-level service provided throughout the tournament, including training equipment, transportation, as well as round-the-clock medical support. 25% of spectators were from outside Qatar A total of 1,220,063 spectators attended 32 matches across 13 match days. In particular, 25% were supporters from outside of Qatar, with fans from Qatar and the GCC, Algeria, and Jordan leading ticket purchases, reflecting the strong regional appeal of the competition. The tournament recorded its highest match attendance at the Jordan v Morocco Final that drew 84,517 fans , followed by tahe Morocco v Saudi Arabia match with 78,131 spectators – both matches taking place in Lusail Stadium. 2,269 accredited journalists covered the tournament The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 attracted 2,269 accredited media representatives from 71 countries, who convened in Qatar to cover the tournament. This marks more than a threefold increase since the 2021 edition, showcasing the growing significance of the tournament regionally and beyond. Through a strategic partnership with Media City Qatar, the LOC delivered purpose-built facilities to support media professionals with their comprehensive coverage of the event. These included the Main Media Centre (MMC) at the Qatar National Convention Centre and a dedicated Broadcasting Hub in Souq Waqif, a gathering hotspot for fans during the tournament. The Broadcasting Hub featured two state-of-the-art studios that enabled 24 television networks from the region to produce and air a total of 202.5 hours of programming throughout the tournamen In addition, 12 prominent outlets served as Media Partners for the competition, broadcasting matches live across the Arab world. 11,573 accessibility tickets purchased by disabled fans The tournament provided a barrier-free experience for disabled fans, allowing them to be part of the football action. A total of 11,573 tickets were purchased by disabled fans across the 32 matches of the tournament, concluding the delivery of yet another accessible edition of the FIFA Arab Cup. Key accessibility features included accessible seating options for wheelchair users and fans with limited mobility, audio descriptive commentary that was used by 2,423 blind and partially sighted football fans, as well as sensory rooms at Lusail, Education City and Al Bayt stadiums. A total of 352 fans with sensory needs made use of the specially designed spaces at 18 matches held across three stadiums. As part of the LOC’s wider accessibility initiative to provide inclusive experiences to the disabled community, a number of students from the Shafallah Center for Persons with Disabilities and Al Noor Institute for the Blind took part as player escorts in the Qatar v Palestine opening match and the Morocco v UAE semi-final match. 3,500 volunteers were involved The Qatar 2025 FIFA Volunteer Programme brought together a total of 3,500 volunteers, who supported the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 across 20 functional areas. These included regional volunteers from Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE who played a role in sharing the region’s culture and hospitality with fans and visitors from all around the Arab world. This year, 30% of the volunteers had taken part for the first-time while 70% had participated in previous tournaments, showcasing Qatar’s strong volunteering culture. 700 medical staff deployed across venues More than 700 medical staff, including doctors, nurses and paramedics, were deployed across tournament venues. This was part of the LOC’s comprehensive medical plan to ensure high-quality care for everyone involved in the tournament. This included players, spectators and guests across stadiums, training grounds and team hotels. These services were delivered through a partnership between Aspetar, the globally recognised orthopaedic and sports medicine hospital and the Official Medical Partner of the FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025, and Hamad Medical Corporation, the country’s national healthcare provider. 77 small businesses and 955 regional artists participated in Fan Zones The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 Fan Zones brought the community together in a spectacular celebration of unity and culture. Located across the six tournament venues, the Fan Zones featured a number of local businesses and artists, treating fans to a vibrant mix of culinary, cultural and folkloric experiences from across the region. As part of a community-focused initiative, the LOC brought on board a total of 77 local food and beverage businesses to participate at the Fan Zones, offering them free space at the venues. The Fan Zones also featured 955 regional artists, creating a festive atmosphere through traditional music, dance and cultural acts that celebrated the heritage of each of the participating nations. More than 938 million views across social media platforms The FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2025 also garnered the attention of fans across digital platforms, with tournament-related content attracting 938,180,774 views across all tournament social media channels. The tournament’s digital channels generated 10,562,532 interactions.4,924,919 passengers made use of the Qatar Rail networkFrom 1-18 December, Qatar Rail’s network carried a total of 4,924,919 passengers, with 4,712,758 and 212,161 riders using Doha Metro and Lusail Tram, respectively. Use of the network was free of charge for all ticketholders on match days. This played a critical role in facilitating travel for fans between stadiums. All six stadiums used for the tournament were connected by a robust public transport system. This featured a fully barrier-free experience for disabled travellers. With another successful edition concluded, the FIFA Arab Cup is set to return to Qatar in 2029 and 2033.For news about mega events hosted in Qatar, follow @RoadtoQatar across all major social media platforms. Source link
Fourteen countries, including France, Britain, Canada, and Germany, condemned the Israeli entity’s plan to establish new settlements in the occupied West Bank. In a joint statement revealed on Wednesday by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the countries called on the Israeli entity to abandon the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, in addition to halting settlement expansion. The statement revealed that the representatives of Germany, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Spain, France, Italy, Ireland, Iceland, Japan, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, and the United Kingdom, condemn the approval by the Israeli government’s Security Cabinet of the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank. It reiterated opposition to any form of annexation and any expansion of the settlement policy, stressing that such unilateral actions, within the framework of a broader intensification of settlement policies in the WestBank, not only violate international law but also fuel instability. The signatory states called on the Israeli occupation to reverse this decision and cease settlement expansion, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2234. The statement affirmed that the participating states are determined to support the Palestinian right to self-determination and to achieve a just, comprehensive, and viable peace based on the two-state solution.”The Israeli Security Cabinet had approved the establishment of 19 new settlements in the occupied West Bank, bringing the total number of settlements approved in the last three years to 69. Source link
Saudi Arabia’s cabinet has formally endorsed the landmark agreement to build a high-speed electric railway linking Riyadh and Doha, hailing it as a project that will boost mobility and tourism across the Gulf. The weekly meeting chaired by the Custodian of Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz al-Saud praised the development, according to Arab News. The 785km line, scheduled to begin operations in June 2026, will cut travel time between the two capitals to just two hours, creating new opportunities for economic and cultural exchange. The initiative aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030 and Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, both of which prioritise sustainable transport and tourism development. By offering a fast, eco-friendly alternative to air and road travel, the railway is expected to reshape regional connectivity while reducing carbon emissions. For tourism, the impact is significant. Easier cross-border travel will encourage multi-destination visits, allowing international and regional tourists to explore both countries more freely. Qatar’s luxury and cultural offerings, alongside Saudi Arabia’s blend of heritage and modern attractions, will benefit from increased visitor flows. The project is also expected to strengthen partnerships with private sector operators, diversify tourism experiences, and extend visitor stays. Beyond tourism, the railway will enhance economic integration by facilitating the movement of goods, services, and professionals. This efficient transport link is anticipated to attract foreign investment, support trade, and deepen bilateral ties. Regionally, the project sets a precedent for sustainable infrastructure in the Gulf. Source link
Qatar residents and visitors will have the opportunity to see and explore a number of exhibitions at M7, from fashion and design to cultural storytelling, before concluding in January 2026, according to Qatar Museums (QM).‘FTA: Threads of Impact. Celebrating 7 Years of Fashion Trust Arabia’ will run until January 3, 2026, while ‘Amazigh Hair Couture, and Houbara Haven: A Chaumet Tiara,’ will remain on view until January 12, 2026.FTA: Threads of Impact marks the seventh anniversary of FTA, the pioneering initiative that offers unique opportunities to emerging fashion designers from MENA region. The exhibition, which charts FTA’s transformative impact in shaping the careers of emerging designers from across MENA, is presented by FTA in collaboration with M7. It features the work of more than 80 designers supported by FTA, including winners and finalists of the FTA Prize and special guest country designers. Threads of Impact Exhibition Houbara Haven, presented by M7 and Maison Chaumet, unveils the winning design by Qatari artist and jewellery designer Aisha Alattiya. Commissioned by Alfardan Jewellery and QM, the bespoke tiara was crafted by the Parisian High Jewellery Maison at 12 Place Vendôme. The exhibition traces the tiara’s journey from concept to creation, offering visitors behind-the-scenes insights into the collaborative process between Alattiya and Maison Chaumet.Alattiya’s design, Houbara Haven, opens new creative ground and expands Chaumet’s timeless code with nature, reinterpreted through a distinctly Qatari perspective. The piece pays homage to Qatar’s desert landscapes and the extraordinary wildlife that inhabits them.Amazigh Hair Couture celebrates the artistry, heritage, and cultural symbolism of Amazigh hair traditions, specifically from Morocco. Led by creative director Ilham Mestour, a Moroccan-born, Netherlands-based artist and curated by Rajae El Mouhandiz, an interdisciplinary artist and curator based in Rotterdam, the exhibition brings together fine art photography, scent, hair installations, textile works, and ethnographic archival material. Amazigh Hair Couture Amazigh Hair Couture reclaims authorship of the aesthetic traditions of the Amazigh people, the Indigenous communities of North Africa with traditions rooted primarily across Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia, which have been historically co-opted by the global fashion industry.The exhibitions are presented as part of Evolution Nation, an 18-month campaign honouring Qatar’s cultural journey over the past 50 years, since the founding of the National Museum of Qatar. Source link
On any given Friday morning in Qatar, long before shopping malls stir to life and cafes begin to fill, open grounds, sandy parks, and even vacant car parks across the country echo with familiar sounds — the crack of the bat hitting the ball, shouts of “How’s that?”, bursts of laughter, and friendly arguments over wickets in Hindi, Urdu, Tamil, Sinhala, and Bangla. What unfolds in these makeshift pitches is far more than a weekend pastime. It is a powerful ritual of belonging, nostalgia, and unity that binds Qatar’s Asian expatriate community. Asian nationals make up over half of Qatar’s population. For many, life in Qatar is shaped by long working hours, limited social spaces, and the physical distance from families left behind. Cricket, however, has emerged as a shared language that cuts across nationalities, professions, and income groups — turning empty patches of land into vibrant hubs of connection. Hours of happiness Every weekend and on public holidays, hundreds of Asian men, mainly from India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, step out of their air-conditioned accommodations in pursuit of what they fondly call “hours of happiness.”“I work as a site supervisor and my weekdays are extremely hectic,” says Rahul Raj, an Indian expat who has lived in Doha for 11 years. “But once I step onto the field on Friday, all the stress disappears. For those few hours, I feel like I am back in my school days, playing cricket with my friends.”For Mohammad Arif, a Pakistani driver, cricket is his only weekly escape. “We work long hours. Sometimes you don’t even realise how much pressure you are carrying. But cricket refreshes your mind. You forget your worries, you laugh, you argue about runs — it makes you feel alive.”“Cricket here is more than a game — it’s how we build our community,” says Rohan Fernando, a Sri Lankan expat. “Playing alongside people from different nationalities, we learn teamwork and trust. No matter where we come from, on the field we are all equals. It’s a space where friendships flourish and everyone feels included.” To adapt to hard surfaces, players opt for tennis balls instead of standard cricket balls. Photo: Shiraz Sithara. Beyond borders One of the most remarkable aspects of Qatar’s street cricket culture is its ability to bring together players of different nationalities — often on the same team.“Back home, India and Pakistan are always seen as rivals,” says Shiju Thomas, an Indian electrician. “There were even recent conflicts and war-like situations. But here, we play in the same team. We trust each other with the ball, share food and water, and cheer for each other’s wickets. Cricket teaches us that unity is stronger than politics. On this field, we are not divided by passports — we are one team.”Fahad Rahman, a Bangladeshi warehouse worker, adds: “Politics stays outside the ground. Once we wear the same jersey, there is no India, Pakistan, or Bangladesh — only teammates.”Players say these mixed-nationality teams have fostered friendships that extend beyond cricket, helping newcomers settle in Qatar and offering emotional support during challenging times. What began as casual knockabout matches has steadily evolved into an organised sporting movement. Today, Qatar hosts several structured informal cricket leagues, many lasting months and offering prize money, uniforms, league tables, and official fixtures.“We started with eight teams and handwritten scorebooks,” recalls Imran Shah, organiser of a community league in Industrial Area. “Now we have over 40 teams, online scorecards, sponsors, and proper jerseys. The demand keeps growing every year.”Technology has further fuelled this growth. Apps such as CricClubs, which track player statistics, match results, and league rankings, have seen a surge in downloads in Qatar, with company figures showing that the country now hosts more registered players than even some neighbouring GCC nations.Retailers selling cricket equipment and customised jerseys confirm that the game has created a growing micro-economy.“Earlier, we used to sell maybe a few bats and balls a month,” says Shanavas Ali, who runs a sports accessories shop in Doha. “Now, teams come asking for customised jerseys, bulk tennis balls, gloves, and kits. Business has increased significantly.”More than a matchHealth and wellness experts believe the impact of this cricket culture goes far beyond recreation. For some players, it’s the same…