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»»»

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. »»»

Yemen's future hangs in the balance after a dramatic turn of events in the south which have brought Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates into unprecedented direct confrontation and threaten the country with partition. Both Gulf powers have intervened on behalf of Yemen's internationally recogn»»»

The UAE this week announced a withdrawal of its troops from southern Yemen, marking a de-escalation in year-end tensions with its ally Saudi Arabia. But 2026 offers little hope for a strategic patch-up between the two Gulf powerhouses. That could mean more trouble for Yemen, the region, and the int»»»

Italian pasta is set to be spared from high-level US tariffs that the Trump administration had threatened against 13 producers. The move could have resulted in American importers being taxed at a rate greater than the value of the actual pasta itself, and prices rising sharply for US consumers. But»»»

Russia has said it is open to supplying water to Iran if a formal request is made, highlighting growing concerns over water security in the country amid climate change and prolonged drought. Aleksei Efimov, acting hea»»»

Russia has said it is open to supplying water to Iran if a formal request is made, highlighting growing concerns over water security in the country amid climate change and prolonged drought. Aleksei Efimov, acting hea»»»

Dubai: The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE) has announced a significant expansion in the number of healthcare providers offering the UAE’s basic health insurance package for private sector workers and domestic helpers, raising the total to 380 providers nationwide, up from 100 »»»

Dubai: Several major banks operating in the UAE have begun notifying customers that they will stop sending one-time passwords (OTPs) via text message for online card purchases, as part of a shift towards app-based authentication, according to messages sent to customers this week. Sign up for our da»»»

The cost of lots of the devices we all use could be forced up in 2026 because the price of Ram - once one of the cheapest computer components - has more than doubled since October 2025. The tech powers everything from smartphones to smart TVs, as well as things like medical devices. Its price has s»»»

Manila: The Philippines has just dropped a bombshell move to snag mega foreign cash. How? Amid the noise (and the haste) surrounding the multibillion flood-control scam, a new legislation has been crafted to drive foreign investments in energy, transportation, infrastructure, manufacturing — and, m»»»

President Donald Trump waves to the media while playing golf at Turnberry Golf Club in Ayrshire, Scotland in July. Trump has terminated the leases at the three public golf courses in Washington, D.C. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo Jan. 1 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump ended the le»»»

London: Enzo Maresca left his role as Chelsea head coach on Thursday after just 18 months in charge, the Premier League club announced. The Italian's exit from Stamford Bridge comes with the club fifth in the Premier League table -- 15 points adrift of leaders Arsenal -- with one win in their last »»»

Jumping into the frigid waters of Coney Island in January for a pun on "I'm freezing... your rent". Visiting food trucks to discuss how city permitting processes have led to "Halalflation". Walking the length of Manhattan to show New Yorkers they "deserve a mayor that they can see, they can hear, t»»»

London: Enzo Maresca has left his role as Chelsea head coach after 18 months in charge, the Premier League club announced Thursday. "Chelsea Football Club and head coach Enzo Maresca have parted company," said a club statement. The Italian's exit from Stamford Bridge comes with the club fifth in th»»»

Representatives of political entities in the 51st National Assembly have extended New Year greetings and addressed this country's euro area accession in posts on social media. Bulgaria officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the euro area - exactly 19 year after »»»

CAIRO, Dec 30 (MENA) – Egypt has received $3.5 billion as part of an investment deal to develop Samla and Alam Al-Roum area on the Northwest Coast in Matrouh Governorate. The project is an investment partnership between the Ministry of Housing, Utilities, and Urban Communities and Qatari Diar Co, s»»»

President Rumen Radev described Bulgaria’s decision to adopt the euro as a strategic move taken at a highly contentious moment, speaking in his New Year’s address shortly before the country entered 2026. According to the head of state, the change of currency marks the final stage of Bulgaria’s inte»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, replacing the leva (BGN) at a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR, the country faces a complex landscape of price adjustments across various sectors. This comprehensive analysis examines which prices are rising, which are falling, an»»»

Starting in January, passengers holding long-term public transport subscriptions in Sofia will have the option to add an extra card covering all night lines, the Central Transport Authority announced. The additional card will be valid for night routes N1, N2, N3, and N4. It will be available at a c»»»

Dubai: Sovereign wealth funds globally amassed a record $15 trillion in assets under management in a year when many deepened their technology investments and profited from buoyant markets, according to a new report by Global SWF. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Overall»»»

Throughout 2026 2026's mind-blowing global events: Sports thrills, science breakthroughs, tech revolutions & flying taxis take off UAE: Launch of air taxi service following regulatory approval and completion of "vertiports". US: America250 Celebrations, a year-long event marking the 250th anniversa»»»

Sofia residents and visitors flooded the city’s central Battenberg Square for the traditional open-air New Year’s concert on December 31, 2025. For the second consecutive year, the municipality is replacing traditional fireworks with a large-scale light show for a more environment-friendly New Year»»»

The Justice Department on Wednesday announced it is reviewing 5.2 million more pages of Jeffrey Epstein case files and intends to make them available in January. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The Department of Justice is reviewing 5.2 million more pages of the Jeffr»»»

Germany’s right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party has been allowed to participate in the Munich Security Conference (MSC) next year, the event’s chairman has said. The AfD, known for its anti-migrant rhetoric and calls for Berlin to stop sending military aid to Ukraine, had been barred from »»»

The United States is the second-largest destination for Chilean cherry exports after China, with shipments exceeding 3.9 million 5-kilogram boxes in 2024. File Photo by Benjamin Hernandez/EPA SANTIAGO, Chile, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The start of Chile's new cherry export season is delivering strong result»»»

The Saudi Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources announced on Wednesday the names of 24 companies and consortia that have won licenses in the ninth exploration licensing round, the largest in the Kingdom’s history to date. The winning entities were awarded 172 mining sites, including 76 sites t»»»

As 2025 comes to a close, editorial team thanks our readers for following our coverage throughout the year. Your engagement makes it possible for us to deliver news, analysis, opinions, features and perspectives that challenge the mainstream narrative and highlight the stories that truly matter. RT»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, replacing the leva (BGN) at a fixed exchange rate of 1.95583 BGN = 1 EUR, the country faces a complex landscape of price adjustments across various sectors. This comprehensive analysis examines which prices are rising, which are falling, an»»»

Doha: The Qatar Stock Exchange (QSE) closed 2025 at 10,762 points, marking a 1.81% year‑over‑year increase. Market capitalization rose by approximately QAR 23.4 billion, reaching QAR 644.3 billion, up from QAR 620.86 billion at the end of 2024. In terms of trading value, activity declined by about »»»

PARIS — Traffic slowly resumed Wednesday in the Channel tunnel after an electricity failure halted train trips connecting London to the European mainland, as frazzled passengers arrived in France after hours trapped in a powerless train.The Eurostar online timetable however still announced some del»»»

Dubai: The Dubai Court of Cassation has issued a final ruling in the high-profile money laundering case known as the “Abu Sabah case”, partially overturning a Court of Appeal judgment by cancelling a Dh150 million joint fine and ordering instead the confiscation of funds derived from the crime. The»»»

From 1 January 2026, Bulgaria officially switches to the euro, with the fixed conversion rate set at 1 euro = 1.95583 leva (BGN). For the first month, until 31 January 2026 inclusive, a dual-circulation period will apply, allowing cash payments to be made either in leva or in euros, depending on th»»»

On Dec. 31, 2020, the historic Brexit trade agreement with the European Union entered legal force in Britain just hours before the official end of the transition period. 1 of 5 | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson returns to No.10 Downing St after attending debate at the Houses of Parliament rega»»»

As Bulgaria prepares to adopt the euro on January 1, 2026, consumers are being urged to prioritise card payments during the initial transitional period. Bogomil Nikolov, chairman of “Active Consumers,” told Bulgarian National Radio that the start of the year presents a unique challenge: banks will »»»

Doha, Qatar: Qatari athletes endured mixed fortunes in the passing year, marked by historic achievements, extraordinary individual performances and moments of heartbreak. Al Annabi experienced a roller-coaster 2025, but their first-ever qualification for the FIFA World Cup on merit saved the blushe»»»

Somalia is weighing options to defend its unity and sovereignty and is consulting strategic allies and partners in the region and beyond to determine the best course of action, its ambassador to Ethiopia and the African Union said on Tuesday. Abdullahi Warfa told Asharq Al-Awsat that the consultati»»»

Dubai: Emirates is warning passengers of a major rush at Dubai International Airport from January 2 to 5, with high volumes of departures and arrivals expected to create gridlock on roads, packed car parks and longer queues inside the terminal. The airline recommends arriving four hours before depa»»»

Doha, Qatar: Hamad International Airport (HIA) has announced enhanced services and operational procedures in preparation for the anticipated increase in passenger traffic returning to Doha after the winter holidays. In a statement released yesterday, HIA issued a set of guidelines for a smooth and »»»

Engineer Badr Basalmah, an adviser to the Yemeni president, said Yemen is entering a decisive phase in which the state is attempting to reclaim control of the political landscape through what he described as a process of “reverse engineering,” backed by close regional support and aimed at restoring»»»

The Channel Tunnel operator said traffic should return to normal overnight on Tuesday after Eurostar was forced to suspend trains between London, Paris, Amsterdam and Brussels due to a power supply issue. Some journeys were able to resume in the late afternoon, but many passengers were left strande»»»

Gold and silver have seen a rollercoaster end to a year in which their prices are on track to record their biggest annual gains since 1979. The price of gold soared by more than 60% this year to hit a record high of more than $4,549 (£3,378) an ounce before slipping after Christmas to stand at abou»»»

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and the Treasury Department announced sanctions against Venezuelans, Iranians and companies in both nations for facilitating illicit arms trades. Photo by Yuri Gripas/UPI | License Photo Dec. 30 (UPI) -- The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control on Tuesda»»»

QNA Doha The Qatar Society of Engineers (QSE) on Tuesday launched the “Engineers Without Borders” programme, the first of its kind in Qatar, and inaugurated its official website. Chairperson of the Board of Directors of QSE Engineer Amna Mohammed Al Naama said the programme is one of QSE’s flagship»»»

QNA Doha The State of Qatar is steadily expanding the use of artificial intelligence across key sectors to enhance efficiency, service quality, productivity and digital inclusion, in line with the Digital Agenda 2030 and Qatar National Vision 2030. In recent years, Qatar has strengthened its positi»»»

QNA Doha Qatar continued to play its active humanitarian role in supporting Sudan in light of the ongoing repercussions of the war and the complex humanitarian crisis the country is going through. This role and support comes in line with the constants of Qatari foreign policy based on promoting reg»»»

Russia, the US and Ukraine agree that a deal on ending almost four years of full-scale war is edging closer but, in the words of President Donald Trump, "one or two very thorny, very tough issues" remain. Two of the trickiest issues in Washington's 20-point plan involve territory and the fate of Eu»»»

Hezbollah’s official in charge of Palestinian affairs, former MP Hasan Hoballah, conveyed condolences and congratulations to the leadership of Hamas following the martyrdom of several senior resistance figures, stressing that targeted assassinations will not weaken the will of the resistance. In a »»»

2025 marked a pivotal year for Hagag Development Europe, defined by both consolidation and transformation under the leadership of Yitzhak Hagag, co-founder, controlling shareholder, and Chairman of the Board. The company strengthened its position in Romania’s real estate market and took a major ste»»»

Raihan Vadra, the son of Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and businessman Robert Vadra, has reportedly exchanged rings with his long-time girlfriend, Aviva Baig, marking a new chapter in their seven-year relationship. The engagement, which has drawn public attention given the Vadra-»»»