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Mamdani vows to govern 'expansively and audaciously' as New York City mayor

Throngs turned out in the frigid cold for an inauguration viewing party just south of City Hall on a stretch of Broadway known as the Canyon of Heroes, famous for its ticker-tape parades

Saudi Arabia mandates inspection of flights between Aden, UAE: Yemen

This latest development comes amid further strained ties between Saudi Arabia and the UAE, neighbours on the Arabian Peninsula that increasingly have competed over economic issues and politics

Cities around world welcome 2026 with fireworks, heightened security

In New York City's Times Square, revellers braved frigid temperatures to celebrate with the famed New Year's Eve ball drop

China's Xi hails nation's tech progress, renews pledge to take back Taiwan

China plans its economic development over periods of five years and is preparing to discuss its new five-year plan at the upcoming legislative session in March

US sanctions 4 Venezuelan oil firms, 4 more tankers in Maduro crackdown

The latest sanctions from the Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control target ships called Nord Star, Lunar Tide, Rosalind and Della, and their registered ownership companies

Trump admin terminates lease for Washington's 3 public golf courses

Officials for the National Links Trust said in a statement that they were devastated by the decision to terminate the lease and defended their management of the courses

Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor on a Quran, a first in NYC history

Most of Mamdani's predecessors were sworn in on a Bible, although the oath to uphold the federal, state and city constitutions does not require the use of any religious text

Department of Justice is reviewing over 5.2 mn documents related to Epstein

The Justice Department has more than 400 attorneys assigned to the review, but does not expect to release more documents until Jan 20 or 21

US military strikes 3 suspected drug-smuggling boats, killing three at sea

The military said three people were killed when the first boat was struck, while people in the other two boats jumped overboard and distanced themselves from the vessels before they were attacked

Hong Kong rings in 2026 without fireworks after deadliest blaze in decades

The territory will ring in 2026 without spectacular and colourful explosions in the sky over its iconic Victoria Harbor after a massive fire in November that killed at least 161 people

Thailand releases 18 Cambodian prisoners of war as part of ceasefire pact

The repatriation of the 18 Cambodian soldiers was undertaken as a demonstration of goodwill and confidence-building, as well as in adherence to international humanitarian principles

Zohran Mamdani set to be sworn in as mayor as NYC rings in New Year

In a statement, Mamdani's office said the choice to be sworn in at the station reflected his commitment to the working people who keep our city running every day

Mali, Burkina Faso impose retaliatory travel ban on US national

The announcements, made in separate statements by the foreign ministers of the two West African countries, marked the latest twist in the frosty relationship

Trump admin freezes child care funds to Minnesota over fraud schemes

The announcement comes after years of investigation that began with the $300 million scheme at the nonprofit Feeding Our Future, for which 57 defendants in Minnesota have been convicted

US commits $480 mn to Ivory Coast health sector under 'America First' pact

The signing in Ivory Coast's capital of Abidjan covers areas such as HIV, malaria, maternal and child health, and global health security

Thieves drill into German bank vault, steal property worth millions

Some 2,700 bank customers were affected by the theft in Gelsenkirchen, police and the Sparkasse bank said

Europe to discuss US-led peace push as Ukraine-Russia tensions rise

Russia and Ukraine have throughout the war exchanged accusations about attacks that cannot be independently verified because of the fighting

Russia's nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile system enters active service

Russia's missile forces chief has also declared that the Oreshnik, which can carry conventional or nuclear warheads, has a range allowing it to reach all of Europe

China's economy shows resilience, but ordinary citizens feel strain

China's ruling Communist Party is promoting leader Xi's push for high-quality growth and domestic innovation as it shifts investment and policies toward a consumption-driven growth model

Saudi Arabia bombs Yemen port over UAE arms shipment for separatists

A military statement carried by the state-run Saudi Press Agency announced the strikes, which it said came after ships arrived there from Fujairah, a port city on the UAE's eastern coast