The Times of India News

For decades, knuckle cracking has been blamed for arthritis and joint damage. Scientists now say the sound comes from gas cavities forming inside synovial fluid, not bones or cartilage. MRI studies and long-term experiments, including a 50-year self-study, show no evidence that habitual knuckle cracking causes arthritis or enlarges joints.

Seventeen years after Amanda Lewis was convicted of murder based on her young son AJ's testimony, her case is being reopened. A Florida judge will review a post-conviction relief motion alleging constitutional violations during the original trial. AJ, now 24, maintains his childhood account, stating he saw his mother drown his sister.

Oman and Turkiye have officially launched a mutual visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, effective November 1, 2025. This landmark agreement allows Omani citizens to visit Turkiye for up to 90 days and Turkish citizens to enter Oman for up to 30 days per visit, with a 90-day limit in 180 days.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr contract extension until 2027 makes him football's first billionaire. His deal includes a staggering 178 million annual tax-free salary, performance bonuses, luxury perks like private jet access and personal staff, and a 15% ownership stake in the club. This groundbreaking agreement redefines athlete negotiation and financial milestones.

Despite having no rivers, the UAE has become a global model for water sustainability through advanced desalination, wastewater recycling, strategic storage, and dam infrastructure. Guided by its Water Security Strategy 2036, the country meets growing demand while also supporting international water aid. The UAEs innovation turns desert scarcity into long-term resilience and global leadership in water management.

The UAE is experiencing a cooler winter vibe this week as a weak low-pressure system brings moderate daytime temperatures and crisper nights. Scattered light to moderate showers are expected, particularly in the islands and Northern Emirates, with fog and mist likely in inland and coastal areas. Mariners should exercise caution as sea conditions are expected to become rough by Sunday.

The UAE will experience humid mornings with chances of fog or mist from Tuesday, 23rd December, to Saturday, 27th December. Skies will be fair to partly cloudy, with clouds over islands and some coastal areas. Light rain is possible on Thursday and Friday. Winds will be light to moderate, and seas slight to moderate, occasionally rough in the Arabian Gulf.

Dolphins are often cast as playful, gentle creatures, but footage from GoPros attached to six wild bottlenose dolphins tells a different story. Trained by the US Navy, the animals were filmed hunting with precision, using sonar clicks, suction feeding and audible victory squeals as they consumed hundreds of fish, and even venomous sea snakes, revealing a far more primal side to their behaviour.

After analysing nearly a decade of Maxims Hot 100 lists, researchers attempted to define what the sexiest woman alive looks like when reduced to data. The result is a composite rather than a person: dark eyes, long dark hair, a slim build, tattoos, and a medium-to-tall frame. Even then, the study concedes that no single woman fully fits the mould.

Pete Davidson and his partner, Elsie Hewitt, have welcomed their first child, a daughter named Scottie Rose. The name honours Davidsons late father, a New York firefighter killed while responding to the 9/11 attacks. Sharing the news on Instagram, the couple described their joy, with fans noting the quiet, personal tribute at the heart of the announcement.

Sharjah Police has launched a new category of licence plates for classic vehicles and motorcycles across the emirate. Introduced on December 23, the plates follow Sharjahs approved visual identity, blending modern standards with heritage design. Available through Emirates Auction, the initiative offers distinctive, high-quality options while supporting efforts to enhance and modernise traffic services.

The Saudi Central Bank (SAMA) has released a new Fees Guide, cutting customer charges across banking and payment services. The guide lowers administrative fees for financing, Mada card transactions, checks, standing orders, and electronic transfers, while reducing or eliminating account document costs. Effective within 60 days, the update promotes fairness, transparency, financial inclusion, and digital banking adoption nationwide.

For the first time in 30 years, snow has fallen across parts of Saudi Arabia, transforming desert-framed mountains into a winter spectacle. In areas like Tabuk and the Trojena highlands, temperatures dropped to -4C, allowing snow to settle at 2,600 metres. Residents embraced skiing, snowy landscapes, and even camels wandering in white deserts, creating a rare, unforgettable winter scene.

Winter officially began in the UAE on December 22, bringing cold nights, mild days, and occasional rainfall. Siberian high-pressure systems cause temperature drops, especially inland and in the mountains, while low-pressure systems bring clouds and rain. Coastal areas remain moderate, and outdoor activities are ideal. Recent storms caused flooding and hail, prompting safety alerts from authorities.

Dubai Municipality has launched the regions first integrated recreational vehicle route, creating a connected network of RV stations, serviced parks, and road trip experiences across mountains, beaches, and deserts. The initiative supports nature-based tourism, enables private-sector participation through regulation and incentives, and positions Dubai as a regional hub for family-friendly, year-round RV travel and sustainable outdoor experiences for local visitors.

Jimmy Carr addressed the controversy surrounding his Holocaust joke from his Netflix special, His Dark Material, in a recent interview. He explained the joke was intended to highlight lesser-known victims and was taken out of context by viral clips. Carr maintained his intent was not literal and that the audience understood this, despite criticism from politicians and advocacy groups.

A new season of My Strange Addiction returns in January, led by Kathryn, a woman from Virginia who blends and snorts every meal through her nose after a college dare. Her episode follows her as she prepares to tell her new boyfriend about the habit, while early footage has already sparked shock, disbelief and alarm among viewers online.

Reese Witherspoon's recent Instagram post featuring a photo with her daughter, Ava Phillippe, has sparked widespread reactions due to their striking resemblance. Many fans commented on Ava looking like a younger version of her mother, while others noted her uncanny likeness to her father, Ryan Phillippe. The holiday-themed carousel also included Witherspoon's sons and other family moments.

After nearly 100 years, the critically endangered Camel Bird ostriches have returned to Saudi Arabia. Reintroduced to the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve, these North African ostriches serve as ecological replacements for the extinct Arabian ostrich. The move is part of the reserves long-term ecosystem restoration, supporting biodiversity, desert habitat recovery, and Saudi Arabias environmental goals.

Saudi Arabia has permitted private schools to build on-campus student residential facilities, provided they are separate from the main educational buildings. The Ministry of Municipalities and Housing has issued detailed regulations covering construction standards, land use, site planning, and minimum area per student. The rules apply to nurseries, kindergartens, schools, and educational complexes across all private education stages.

K-pop enthusiasts in the UAE are in for a treat! South Korean solo stars Chung Ha and SHINee's Onew will perform a free, one-night-only concert at Dubai Festival City Mall on January 3, 2026, as part of the Dubai Shopping Festival. Fans can anticipate captivating performances from these celebrated artists at the iconic Festival Bay.

Oman has launched its first polymer one-rial banknote, which will start circulating from January 11, 2026. Made from durable polymer, the note features the Oman Botanic Garden on the front and the Sayyid Tariq bin Taimur Cultural Complex with Duqm Port and Refinery on the back. It includes advanced security features and limited collector editions will also be available.

The UAE solidified its global humanitarian leadership in 2025, ranking as the third-largest donor with $1.46 billion in aid. Significant contributions reached Gaza and Sudan, addressing critical needs like healthcare and water. The nation also launched the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative and supported educational projects, demonstrating a deep-rooted commitment to global welfare.

Emirati student Naji Faqihi Al Awadhi developed SmartPocket, a mobile platform to help UAE students aged 12-25 manage their finances. Launched in October 2025, it offers verified student discounts from over 20 local brands, aiming to reduce monthly spending by an average of 20%.

US based Universal Studios is exploring to build a multibillion-dollar theme park in Saudi Arabia, with plans still in the early concept stage. The park is expected to be part of Qiddiya, the Kingdoms massive entertainment and tourism hub. The move reflects Saudi Arabias growing appeal to global entertainment brands and its push to boost tourism under Vision 2030

The UAE's festive season in 2025 is dazzling with elaborate Christmas markets across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From Madinat Jumeirah's iconic tree to Expo City's high-tech Winter City and Habtoor Palace's chic Winter Garden, these destinations offer magical experiences. Global Village also joins with festive cheer, while Abu Dhabi's Galleria boasts an AI elf. These markets promise unforgettable holiday memories.

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) forecasts partly cloudy skies across the UAE, with low clouds forming over islands and western regions, bringing a chance of light rain. Humidity will rise overnight, raising the likelihood of fog or light mist in coastal and western inland areas. Winds will be light to moderate, and sea conditions are expected to remain calm to moderate.

Starting December 23, Kuwait will require all foreign residents and visitors to have health insurance. Fees range from 5 dinars for entry and visit visas to 100 dinars for residency permits. Some categories, including certain domestic workers, diplomatic staff, and children of Kuwaiti citizens, are exempt. The regulations aim to standardize coverage, clarify obligations, and ensure all foreigners are properly insured.

A smartphone smuggled out of North Korea reveals how the state enforces ideology through everyday technology. The device blocks internet access, rewrites language, and secretly captures screenshots every five minutes for surveillance. Analysed by the BBC, it shows how censorship extends into private life, while defectors describe realising only after escape how abnormal such control was.

Saudi Arabias Ministry of Interior, in partnership with the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language, has launched a special commemorative stamp to mark World Arabic Language Day on December 18. Available at King Khalid International Airport, Jeddah Islamic Port, and King Fahd Causeway, the stamp celebrates Arabic heritage, offering travelers a symbolic and cultural tribute to the languages significance.

The UAE has become the second country worldwide to approve Itvisma, a gene therapy for spinal muscular atrophy, for adults and children aged two years and older. The therapy replaces the defective gene causing the disease, improving motor function and reducing long-term treatment needs. The approval reflects the UAEs commitment to rapid access to advanced, life-changing medical innovations.

Starting January 1, 2026, Saudi Arabia will mandate that all domestic worker salaries be paid through official channels, including banks and digital wallets via the Musaned platform. The phased initiative aims to secure wages, ensure timely and transparent payments, reduce cash handling, and simplify procedures for workers and employers, marking a major step in modernizing the domestic worker sector.

Starting January 2026, Riyadh will introduce new semester passes for students and annual passes for all passengers, offering unlimited travel across the city. The initiative aims to make commuting more convenient, save time and money, and improve the efficiency of the public transport system. It reflects Riyadhs push for modern, accessible, and passenger-friendly transit options.

Oman's Ministry of Heritage and Tourism mandates strict adherence to safety guidelines for adventure tourism operators and participants. This legal requirement ensures safe practices for activities like canyoning and rock climbing, protecting both visitors and the Sultanate's natural landscapes. Compliance is crucial for responsible tourism growth.

AGMC is voluntarily recalling over 5,500 Geely Emgrand sedans in the UAE due to a potential fuel system defect. A non-vented fuel filler cap can cause vacuum pressure, potentially leading to fuel leaks. Affected owners can get their vehicles serviced for free, including a cap replacement and system inspection.

Saudi Arabia's northern Tabuk region, particularly Jabal Al-Lawz, experienced a rare and heavy snowfall on December 18, transforming the landscape into a winter wonderland. This dramatic weather event, driven by a strong cold air mass, brought temperatures below freezing and stunned locals and global observers alike, sparking widespread social media attention.