Will petrol get cheaper in 2026? What UAE drivers should expect
Dubai: UAE motorists are heading into 2026 with fuel prices finally moving in a friendlier direction after a year marked by sharp swings at the pump. January opened with noticeable cuts across petrol and diesel grades, offering some relief after months of volatility and raising expectations that th»»»
Food Vouchers in Bulgaria to Converted to Euros Without Increase
In Bulgaria, the maximum value of food vouchers is set at 102.26 euros following the currency conversion, without any increase in the nominal amount. Tanya Obushtarova from the Association of Food Voucher Operators explained that for digital vouchers, this change is purely technical. The associatio»»»
Oman mandates premarital health checks to curb genetic and infectious diseases
Dubai: Mandatory premarital medical examinations came into force on Thursday, January 1, 2026, for all Omanis intending to marry, following a royal decree in a move the authorities say is designed to strengthen family health and curb the spread of genetic and infectious diseases. According to local»»»
Greece, Cyprus welcome 2026 without the bang
Greece and Cyprus are starting 2026 by turning down the volume. The countries’ capital cities, Athens and Nicosia, have traded the familiar whizz, crackle and boom of window‑rattling fireworks for spectacle without the shock wave, opting for low‑noise pyrotechnics, light shows and drone displays. T»»»
UN adopts smaller 2026 budget, prepares 19% job cuts as financial pressures deepen
Dubai: The United Nations begins 2026 with a regular budget of $3.45 billion as the Organisation confronts strained finances and prepares to shrink its workforce by 19 per cent. The General Assembly approved the spending plan after weeks of negotiations, signing off on an amount that slightly excee»»»
Workflow of ‘Fatwa Talk’ platform reviewed
Doha, Qatar: Minister of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs H E Ghanem bin Shaheen Al-Ghanem together with Ministry’s Undersecretary Sheikh Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Thani and a number of Ministry officials held a meeting at the Ministry’s headquarters with the supervisors of the smart fatwa platform Fatwa»»»
UAE weather stabilises but fog risk and humid nights persist
Dubai: Weather conditions across the UAE are expected to stabilise slightly today, with fair to partly cloudy skies prevailing and increased humidity developing overnight and into Friday morning across some coastal and internal areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). The NCM h»»»
US waiving sanctions on Russia-owned refinery – Serbia
Serbia has secured a temporary exemption from US sanctions imposed on the nation’s only oil refinery, which is majority-owned by Russian energy giant Gazprom, Serbian Energy Minister Dubravka Dedovic has announced. The Petroleum Industry of Serbia (NIS) said early in December it was forced to suspe»»»
Condom tax and cheaper childcare: China's plan to boost birth rates
Chinese people will pay a 13% sales tax on contraceptives from 1 January, while childcare services will be exempt, as the world's second-largest economy tries to boost birth rates. An overhaul of the tax system announced late last year removes many exemptions that were in place since 1994, when Chi»»»
French lawmakers to debate social media ban for children under 15
French lawmakers are set to debate a ban on social media for children under the age of 15 – as well as a prohibition on the use of mobile phones in high schools – that could begin with the next school year in September 2026. The draft bill on social media restrictions, which also include»»»
Bulgaria joins the euro after rocky path to new currency
Bulgaria - the poorest country in the European Union - has become the 21st member of the eurozone - leapfrogging more obvious and prosperous candidates like Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary. For mostly urban, young and entrepreneurial Bulgarians, it's an optimistic and potentially lucrative l»»»
Labor Department reports fewer new jobless claims for 3rd straight week - UPI.com
The nation's new jobless claims were less than expected at 199,000 seasonally adjusted claims for the week ending on Saturday, the Department of Labor reported. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The nation's new jobless claims exceeded expectations with fewer than 200,0»»»
RT’s ultimate look back at 2025: Here is how we questioned more
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»»»
Bulgaria Switches to Euro: What Will Cost More, Less, and Stay the Same from January 1, 2026 (UPATED)
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»»»
Euro Transition Rules in Bulgaria: Practical Examples for Paying and Getting Change
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»»»
US stock market ends 2025 on a high note after volatile year
It's been a roller-coaster year for financial markets - but US stock investors are heading into 2026 on a high note. US President Donald Trump's global trade tariffs sent shockwaves through markets in the spring. But by summer, the US saw record highs fuelled by strong company profits and confidenc»»»
How India overtook Japan as world’s 4th-largest economy: What is the ‘Goldilocks’ phase
India has surged past Japan to become the world's fourth-largest economy at $4.18 trillion, positioning itself to eclipse Germany for the third spot by 2030, according to a government release. Highlighting on-going reforms, New Delhi has cited India’s rapid, domestically-driven growth, strong consu»»»
How Israel’s Multi-Ton Truck Bombs Ripped Through Gaza City
In the weeks before the Gaza ceasefire on October 10, Israel widely deployed a new weapon: M113 Armored Personnel Carriers repurposed to carry between 1 and 3 tons of explosives, Reuters found. As Israeli troops pushed toward the center of Gaza City, these powerful bombs, along with airstrikes and »»»
No more fingerprint failures? What changes in Pakistan’s biometric system
Dubai: Pakistan’s federal government has amended the National Identity Card (NIC) Rules to formally recognise facial and iris scans as valid biometric identifiers, expanding the definition of biometrics beyond fingerprints, the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) said on Wednesday.»»»
Karachi revives double-deckers after more than six decades to ease traffic woes
Dubai: Double-decker buses have returned to Karachi after more than six decades, marking a significant moment for public transport in Pakistan’s largest city as authorities seek to ease chronic mobility problems for its growing population. Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon on Wednesday inau»»»
Iran’s biggest protests in three years: What’s driving the unrest — and why it matters
Dubai: Iran is once again facing a moment of deep uncertainty as economic collapse, public anger and regional tensions converge. In recent days, the country has seen its largest protests in three years, sparked by a sharp fall in the national currency and a steady erosion of living standards. While»»»
India Overtakes Japan as World's 4th Largest Economy
India has overtaken Japan as the world’s fourth largest economy and officials hope to pass Germany within three years, the government’s end-of-year economic review revealed. Official confirmation, however, depends on data due in 2026 when final annual gross domestic product figures are released, wi»»»
Regional Temperature Records Broken Across the World in 2025
Central Asia, the Sahel region and northern Europe experienced their hottest year on record in 2025, according to AFP analysis based on data from the European Copernicus program. Globally, the last 12 months are expected to be the third hottest ever recorded after 2024 and 2023, according to the pr»»»
Qatar’s robust digital ecosystem fuelling innovation
Doha, Qatar: Qatar is witnessing rapid development in the information technology sector and is among the top 20 countries globally this year which demonstrates the robust business environment in the country. Qatar has achieved a remarkable advancement in the 2025 World Digital Competitiveness Ranki»»»
Why China is bringing out the big guns for military drills around Taiwan
China stepped up its military drills around Taiwan with live-fire exercises on Tuesday, the second day of an operation dubbed “Justice Mission 2025". The massive show of force comes at a crucial time as Beijing seeks to capitalise on domestic political tensions&nb»»»
South Korea’s Lee to visit China for talks with Xi
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung will travel to China early next week for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a visit that underscores Seoul’s effort to stabilise relations with its largest trading partner amid wider regional tensions. »»»
South Korea’s Lee to visit China for talks with Xi
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung will travel to China early next week for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a visit that underscores Seoul’s effort to stabilise relations with its largest trading partner amid wider regional tensions. »»»
South Korea’s Lee to visit China for talks with Xi
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung will travel to China early next week for summit talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a visit that underscores Seoul’s effort to stabilise relations with its largest trading partner amid wider regional tensions. »»»
New Year’s Eve weather alert: Rain, strong winds and very rough seas across UAE
Dubai: Scattered rainfall is expected to continue affecting several parts of the UAE as the country heads into New Year’s Eve, bringing cooler temperatures, strong winds and hazardous sea conditions, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). Further cooling is expected today, New Year’»»»
QCDC releases 16th issue of Career Guide magazine
Tribune News Networks Doha Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), has announced the release of the 16th issue of ‘Career Guide,’ the first Qatar-based magazine dedicated to career guidance and development. The publication is designed to help students explore their»»»
Qatar strengthens humanitarian, diplomatic efforts toward Sudan
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»»»
QC provides food, medical assistance to over a million in Sudan
Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Charity supported displaced Sudanese families and provided hundreds of tonnes of food assistance to the needy. It also supplied medicines to combat cholera, arrange incubators for children, kidney dialysis machines, and mobile clinics. Qatar Charity has continued to »»»
Bright snow surprised major Hungarian cities, more may come as temperatures drop below -10°C
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Judge: Federal Reserve must fund the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau during appeals - UPI.com
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Russell Vought speaks to reporters outside the White House in July. Vought and the Trump administration are trying to shut down the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. A judge announced on Tuesday that the Federal Reserve must continue funding the d»»»
Dubai NYE fireworks 2026: Extra parking near Burj Khalifa and Downtown
Planning for the Burj Khalifa fireworks? The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has reminded residents and visitors that additional parking facilities will be available near the event area at Burj Khalifa. With up to 800,000 revellers expected in Downtown Dubai, authorities have rolled out a compr»»»
Alleged D.C. pipe-bomber set for detention hearing; lawyers argue for pretrial release - UPI.com
An arrested sign was on display during a press conference at the Department of Justice Headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 4. Brian Cole Jr. is scheduled for a detention hearing Tuesday afternoon. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Attorneys for Brian Cole Jr., the man »»»
Students Join Iran Demonstrations After Shopkeepers Protest
Iranian students staged street protests in Tehran on Tuesday, a day after the capital's shopkeepers demonstrated against economic hardship and won a message of understanding from the president. According to Ilna, a news agency associated with Iran's labor movement, protests erupted at seven Tehran »»»
From F-16s to Legislative Reforms: Bulgaria’s Armed Forces in 2025
Bulgaria’s Armed Forces in 2025: Pay Increases, F-16 Deliveries, and Legislative Updates F-16 Fighter Jets In 2025, Bulgaria saw the first deliveries of the F-16 fighter jets under the initial contract with the United States signed in 2019. By December 18, all eight aircraft had been formally prese»»»
German company Miele to sell more refurbished appliances – DW – 12/28/2025
BusinessGermanyGerman company Miele to sell more refurbished appliancesMathilda Jordanova-DudaThe secondhand smartphone market has grown significantly in recent years, but other, bulkier items like washing machines are less frequently refurbished and resold. That could soon be changing. https://p.d»»»
Farmers lift many blockades to ease New Year’s traffic
As they ease many blockades around the country, farmers’ representatives from across Greece will meet in Malgara, west of Thessaloniki, on Sunday at noon to decide on the future course of their protests over delayed European Union subsidies and other grievances. In the run-up to the New Year, farme»»»
QCDC releases 16th issue of Career Guide Magazine
Doha: The Qatar Career Development Center (QCDC), founded by Qatar Foundation (QF), has announced the release of the 16th issue of Career Guide. This is the first Qatar-based magazine dedicated to career guidance and development. The publication is designed to help students explore their educationa»»»
Dubai gears up for New Year's Eve: Residents urged to follow safety guidelines
Dubai: The Dubai Event Security Committee (ESC) has urged residents and visitors planning to celebrate New Year’s Eve to strictly follow instructions issued by police officers and field teams, as the emirate prepares to host festivities at 40 locations. The Committee said adherence to safety guidel»»»
Iranian Students Protest in Tehran and Isfahan, Says Local Media
Student protests erupted on Tuesday at universities in the capital Tehran and the central city of Isfahan, decrying declining living standards following demonstrations by shopkeepers, local media reported. "Demonstrations took place in Tehran at the universities of Beheshti, Khajeh Nasir, Sharif, A»»»
Petro makes historic raise to Colombia's 2026 minimum wage
Bogotá, Colombia: Colombian President Gustavo Petro announced on Monday the country's minimum wage would increase by 23.7 percent starting in the new year, its highest raise in 25 years. The increase, coupled with the government's transportation subsidy, would take the monthly minimum wage from 1.6»»»
Abu Dhabi bans labour buses on key road during New Year 2026
Abu Dhabi: The Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) has announced a series of restrictions on labour buses during the New Year period to ease congestion and improve road safety. According to the advisory, the movement of labour buses will be restricted on Abu Dhabi–Al Ain Road E22 from »»»
Media Review: December 30
The upcoming adoption of the euro as the national currency in Bulgaria from the beginning of 2026 dominates the news media on Tuesday. Many outlets carry articles with practical tips to help people through the transition, or recall the key steps Bulgaria took to join the eurozone. TRANSITION TO EUR»»»
Bulgaria Warns Taxi Passengers: Cash Only on New Year’s Eve and Check the Meters!
Taxi passengers on New Year’s Eve should be prepared to pay only in cash after 9:00 p.m., as card payments will no longer be available. Many taxi applications depend on bank cards, which means customers will need to have either Bulgarian leva or euros on hand. Drivers will accept cash payments only»»»
Paid parking from Dh2 to Dh25 in Dubai International City from February 2026
Dubai: Dubai will introduce paid parking in International City from February 1, 2026, according to notices displayed across the community. Signboards installed by Parkin state: “Attention: Paid parking tariffs will apply in International City starting from 01 February 2026.” Parking charges will ap»»»
Plovdiv Offers Free Public Transport on December 31 and January 1
Public transport in Plovdiv will be free during the final hours of 2025 and throughout January 1, 2026, as part of a New Year initiative approved by the Municipal Council. Mayor Kostadin Dimitrov announced the measure during the council session, explaining that it is intended to ease access to the »»»
Iran President Tells Government Listen to Protesters 'Legitimate Demands'
Iran's president urged his government to listen to the "legitimate demands" of protesters, state media reported Tuesday, after several days of demonstrations by shopkeepers in Tehran over economic hardships. Shopkeepers in the capital had shut their stores for the second day in a row on Monday, aft»»»