world

Tsunami alerts in Japan, Philippines as Typhoon Fung-Wong nears

(WAM) — Authorities in Japan issued a tsunami warning for Iwate Prefecture in the north of the country today, while the Philippines announced the evacuation of nearly one million people from high-risk areas as powerful Typhoon Fung-Wong swept across the main island of Luzon.

Officials in both countries urged residents to keep away from coastal zones. Japan’s public broadcaster reported that a tsunami wave was detected 70 kilometres off the coast of Iwate at 17:12 local time (08:12 GMT) and was expected to reach the Pacific-facing shoreline shortly, with an estimated height of around one metre.

The United States tsunami warning system indicated that a 6.26-magnitude earthquake struck earlier in the day off the east coast of Honshu, Japan’s largest island, which includes Iwate Prefecture.

In the Philippines, more than 900,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable locations as Fung-Wong, known locally as Owan, battered large parts of Luzon. Work and classes were suspended in many areas, including Metro Manila. The typhoon was forecast to make landfall in Aurora province in central Luzon this evening, only days after Typhoon Kalmaegi left 224 dead in the Philippines and five in Viet Nam, causing extensive coastal damage.

Fung-Wong has brought heavy rain and sustained winds of up to 185 kilometres per hour, with gusts reaching 230 kilometres per hour. Level-five warnings, the highest alert, were issued in parts of the southeast and central Philippines, including Catanduanes, Camarines Sur and Aurora, while a level-three alert was posted for Metro Manila and neighbouring provinces.

Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro urged people in the storm’s path to heed evacuation orders, warning that refusal is dangerous and unlawful. The military reassigned about 2,000 personnel from field training to humanitarian assistance and disaster-response operations.

The Civil Aviation Authority said around 400 domestic and international flights had been cancelled.

Culture

Oulu, Trenčín Named 2026 European Culture Capitals

The cities of Oulu in Finland and Trenčín in Slovakia have been selected as European Capitals of Culture for 2026.

The European Union annually names several cities as European Capitals of Culture to underline Europe’s cultural diversity and honour the cultural and artistic identity of each region.

The two cities replace Chemnitz in Germany’s Saxony and the Slovenian-Italian border twin cities of Nova Gorica/Gorizia.

WAM

world

Oman announces January 2026 public holidays in advance

Oman has confirmed two public holidays in January 2026 to mark Accession Day and the Islamic occasion of Al Isra’a Wal Miraj, as part of a newly approved policy to announce national and religious holidays in advance each year.

Under the calendar endorsed by the Council of Ministers, Thursday, January 15, 2026, will be observed as a public holiday to commemorate Accession Day, marking the anniversary of Sultan Haitham bin Tarik’s accession to the throne.

A second public holiday will follow on Sunday, January 18, 2026, to mark Al Isra’a Wal Miraj, the Islamic observance commemorating the Prophet Muhammad’s night journey and ascension.

The announcements is part of a shift in how holidays are scheduled, with the government opting to publish dates at the start of each Gregorian year to improve institutional planning and coordination across both the public and private sectors.

However, the policy excludes Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha, which will continue to be announced separately based on official moon sighting.

In a statement, the Ministry of Labour said the advance scheduling is intended to help government entities and businesses organise daily, seasonal and annual operations more efficiently, while also reducing clashes between public holidays and major local or international events.

The ministry added that employees required to work during official holidays will continue to be compensated in line with existing labour regulations.

Beyond January, the government also confirmed public holidays later in the year, including National Day on November 25 and 26, Islamic New Year on June 18, and Mawlid Al Nabawi on August 27, reinforcing the country’s move towards greater predictability in its annual calendar.

Story by Gulf News

world

Syria to launch new currency on January 1

Syria is set to introduce a new national currency starting 1st January 2026, the Governor of the Central Bank of Syria, Abdulkader Husarieh, announced on Thursday.

In a statement carried by Syria Arab News Agency (SANA), Husarieh described the move, outlined in Decree No. 293 of 2025, as a “pivotal national milestone” and the beginning of a new economic and monetary phase for the country.

Under the decree, the Central Bank has been granted authority to set the timelines and locations for the currency exchange, Husarieh said, pledging that the process will be smooth and well-organised.

He added that the procedures will be explained clearly and transparently during a dedicated press conference, aimed at enhancing public confidence and reinforcing the partnership between the bank and citizens.

Speaking on the significance of the new currency, Husarieh said it symbolises Syria’s financial sovereignty following liberation and represents a step toward economic stability and development.

Story by WAM