View this post on Instagram A post shared by Bellingham Herald (@bellinghamherald) Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A Washington city may have broken a Guinness World Record by gathering nearly 5,000 people to take a "polar bear dip" into frigid water at the same time. The Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce, Blaine Birc»»»

The BYD Sea Lion 7 is on display at the Tokyo Auto Salon 2025 at Makuhari messe in Chiba-Prefecture, Japan, in January. BYD delivered more cars in 2025 than Tesla. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Chinese electric car maker BYD surpassed Tesla in annual sales in 2025. BY»»»

The FBI worked with local law enforcement to arrest an 18-year-old accused of plotting a violent attack on a Mint Hill, N.C., grocery store and fast food restaurant. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- The FBI foiled a terror plot to attack people at a grocery store and fa»»»

Official data show Argentines held about $254 billion outside the banking system as of September. Photo by QuinceCreative/Pixabay BUENOS AIRES, Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Argentina's government has enacted the so-called Fiscal Innocence Law, which changes tax evasion thresholds and seeks to encourage declarin»»»

Tunis, Jan. 2 (TAP)- The Criminal Chamber of the Court of Appeal in Tunis, on Friday, upheld the first-instance ruling convicting journalist Mohamed Boughalleb, while deferring the execution of the corporal punishment imposed, lawyer Hamadi Zaafrani...»»»

New Year’s Eve 2025 at the Sheikh Zayed Festival featured record-breaking moments, international broadcast coverage, and drew hundreds of thousands of participants and spectators to a night marked by five new Guinness World Records. The Sheikh Zayed Festival closed the year with a series of record-»»»

Senior sources in Hamas have played down what they described as an Israeli “scare tactic” over the group’s weapons, rejecting Israeli demands to disarm as a condition for moving to the second phase of a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Hamas possesses only light we»»»

Iran's latest bout of economic protests has ceased to be reactive spasms of discontent triggered by the newest price shock and currency collapse. They have become something rather more persistent and worrying for Tehran's authorities: the steady drumbeat of a population whose resilience has been gr»»»

Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group. »»»

Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group. »»»

Oman has expanded visa-free travel arrangements for diplomats and tourists as part of a broader effort to ease mobility, boost tourism and strengthen regional ties, government statements and regional media reported. The mo»»»

Saudi Arabia's air force conducted at least seven strikes on UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council positions in Yemen's Hadramawt province, with STC forces reporting casualties amongst their ranks, according to a spokesman for the separatist group. »»»

Poland's state railway operator PKP Intercity announced the country's first tender for trains capable of reaching speeds of 320 kilometres per hour, marking a significant step in developing the nation's high-speed rail network. »»»

Europe imported a record 142bn cubic metres of liquefied natural gas in 2025, marking a 28% increase from the previous year as the continent continued reducing dependence on Russian pipeline gas. Higher LNG imports have co»»»

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appointed Kyrylo Budanov, head of the country's military intelligence directorate, as the new Head of the Office of the President, citing the need for greater focus on security and diplomatic negotiations. »»»

Europe imported a record 142bn cubic metres of liquefied natural gas in 2025, marking a 28% increase from the previous year as the continent continued reducing dependence on Russian pipeline gas. Higher LNG imports have co»»»

Kyrylo Budanov, 39, has been named President Volodymyr Zelensky's new chief of staff. File Photo by Sergey Dolzhenko/EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Friday that he named spy boss Lt. Gen. Kyrylo Budanov as his chief of staff. "I had a meeting with Kyrylo Budanov»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe UNIFIL reports two Israeli gunfire attacks on troops in South Lebanon, calls on the Zionist enemy to halt hostilities: statement 02-01-2026»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli glider drops two bombs on Khiam town, South Lebanon: Al-Manar reporter 02-01-2026 19:36 PM Latest News Urgent News Israeli glider d»»»

Eastern Yemen’s Hadhramaut province entered a critical phase on Friday as government-backed National Shield forces began deploying against an insurgency by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), seeking to regain control of military camps and restore the state’s grip over security and military in»»»

Dubai: The National Center of Meteorology has warned of a chance of fog formation and reduced horizontal visibility, dropping to near zero at times, across some internal and coastal areas of the country between midnight and 10am tomorrow, January 3, 2026. In an advisory, the NCM urged motorists to »»»

A staffer at Disney World in Florida was hailed as a hero after he blocked a 400-pound (180-kilogram) rubber boulder that was bouncing toward the audience at an Indiana Jones-themed live show. "Woah! That's heading right for us!" an audience member can be heard saying on a YouTube video of the inci»»»

A hiker in Colorado has died in the state's first suspected fatal mountain lion attack in over 25 years, authorities said. The woman was found unresponsive by other hikers on the Crosier Mountain trail northeast of Estes Park around noon on Thursday. The hikers saw a mountain lion near the woman's »»»

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia has formed an online safety committee as the highest strategic advisory body to steer the direction of the nation's online safety, Azalina Othman Said, minister in the prime minister's department for law and institutional reform, said on Friday. This is in line with the enfor»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Information about the alleged Friday strike by the Russian armed forces on the city of Kharkov is untrue, the Russian Defense Ministry said. "Information about the alleged strike on the city of Kharkov by the Russian Armed Forces on January 2 of this year is untrue," the ministry»»»

1 of 2 | President Donald Trump stops to speak to the media as he departs on Marine One from the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, D.C., December 19. He said Friday his doctors announced he was in "perfect health." Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo Jan. 2 (UPI) -- President Donald»»»

Contributing to employment is Chinese company Build Your Dreams' factory, which will serve as the base for future expansion into the Latin American electric vehicle market. The factory is in Camacari, about 30 miles from Salvador. File Photo by Americo Roberto/EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Brazil ended 2025 »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Al-Manar reporter: An Israeli glider crashed while spying on one of the houses in Bint Jbeil town, South Lebanon 02-01-2026 19:06 PM Latest»»»

Singapore: Gold prices rose slightly in early Asian trading, recovering from a two-week low, while other precious metals recouped some of last week's losses. Spot gold climbed 0.8% to USD 4,346.69 an ounce, after hitting a record high of USD 4,549.71 on 26 December. US gold futures for February del»»»

An employee works in a manufacturing plant) in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, in March. Mexico closed 2025 with weak economic growth and is heading into 2026 with limited expansion prospects. File Photo by Luis Torres/.EPA Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Mexico closed 2025 with weak economic growth and is heading into 202»»»

A hiker is believed to have been killed by at least one mountain lion in the US state of Colorado on Wednesday, according to wildlife officials. If confirmed, it would be the first fatal attack there since 1999. A group of hikers found the woman's body on a remote trail and spotted a lion nearby. A»»»

A 77-year-old woman aboard the Holland America Niew Statendam went overboard Thursday. Photo courtesy of Holland America Jan. 2 (UPI) -- A search has been suspended for a 77-year-old woman who went overboard from a cruise ship near Cuba on Thursday. "We are deeply saddened to confirm that while sai»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanese Ministry of Health: Today’s Israeli enemy raid on the town of Ansar injured a citizen 02-01-2026 18:21 PM Latest News Urgent News »»»

Iran’s Ministry of Defense Export Center, known as Mindex, is prepared to negotiate military contracts for payment in digital currencies, Financial Times has reported, citing promotional documents and and analysis of payment terms. Payments can also be made through barter arrangements or in Iranian»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US President Donald Trump said on Friday that White House doctors had informed him that he was in "perfect health" and that he had "aced" cognitive test for the third consecutive time. "The White House Doctors have just reported that I am in 'PERFECT HEALTH,' and that I 'ACED' (M»»»

A woman has died after a rare suspected mountain lion attack on a hiking trail in Colorado, an incident that would mark the state's first such fatality in decades if confirmed. Two big cats potentially involved in the suspected New Year's Day mauling were euthanized, state wildlife officials said. »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Clashes erupt between Palestinian youths and IOF in Al-Khalil area, occupied West Bank: reports 02-01-2026 17:51 PM Latest News Urgent News»»»

GENEVA, Jan 2 (KUNA) -- Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced on Friday that the toll among Italian nationals in the deadly fire that broke out at the ski tourist resort of Crans-Montana stands at 13 injured and six missing so far according to available information.This was made in a sh»»»

Damascus, Jan. 2 (SANA) Syria’s newly issued currency combines national symbolism with modern visual design. According to officials, its motifs tell the story of land and people, drawing inspiration from the country’s historic agricultural diversity. The symbols were chosen not only for aesthetic v»»»

The foreign ministers of eight Arab and Islamic countries, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Qatar urged on Friday the international community to pressure Israel to lift constraints on the distribution of aid in the Gaza Strip. In a joint statement the eight countries “expressed their deepest conce»»»

UAE-backed Southern Transitional Council declared southern Yemen a two-year transitional region and announced a popular referendum on self-determination, aiming for official secession from northern Yemen. Huda AtaSpecial to Gulf NewsHuda Ata is an independent writer based in the UAE.Show More»»»

A fire at a bar in a Swiss ski resort appears to have been caused by sparklers placed on bottles of champagne that came "too close to the ceiling", authorities said. Forty people died after the blaze in the early hours of New Year's Day in Crans-Montana, while 119 were injured. Valais Attorney Gene»»»

A multi-story building under construction in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, collapsed Friday, leaving an unknown number of people trapped. Rescue workers are digging through the rubble. The building was in an area of Nairobi known as South C, according to the Kenya Red Cross, and local media say it w»»»

International charity Doctors Without Borders Friday condemned a "grave blow to humanitarian aid" after Israel revoked the status it needs to operate in Gaza for refusing to share Palestinian staff lists. Israel on Thursday confirmed it had banned access to the Gaza Strip to 37 foreign humanitarian»»»

Anthony Joshua's driver has been charged after a crash in Nigeria injured the boxer and killed two of his team members, police have said. Adeniyi Mobolaji Kayode, 46, was charged at the Sagamu Magistrate Court on Friday. Police sources told the BBC the charges included causing death by dangerous dr»»»

Elon Musk's social media platform X has provoked outrage after people used its AI chatbot Grok to alter photos of women by removing their clothing. The BBC has seen several examples of it undressing women to make them appear in bikinis without their consent, as well as putting them in sexual situat»»»

Talaat Moustafa Group (TMG) is set to launch “The Spine”, a 2.4 million square metre project in East Cairo utilizingpost-artificial intelligence technologies, and will commence deliveries of the first phase of its Noor city development in 2026. The Spine project, located within the group’s Madinaty»»»

Ten people died and almost 600 were injured on Attica’s roads in Attica during December, statistics from Attica’s Traffic Police have showed. Six of the 587 injuries were serious, according to the figures. In the same period, police recorded 1,314 violations for driving under the influence of alcoh»»»

BusinessUnited States of AmericaChina's BYD overtakes Tesla as world's top EV seller Louis Oelofse with AFP, AP, ReutersElon Musk's Tesla has had a tough year and faced intensifying competition from Chinese and European rivals. https://p.dw.com/p/56FJIMusk once dismissed BYD as a threat to Tesla [F»»»

GENEVA, Jan 2 (KUNA) - - The UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk on Friday called on the Israeli occupation authorities to drop a bill that would impose mandatory death sentences exclusively on Palestinians both in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and in Israel.In a statement issued in Geneva, Turk»»»