Australia, New Zealand and several eastern Asian nations were the first countries to ring in 2026 with spectacular fireworks displays. The rest of Asia, Africa and Europe will be the next regions to watch as the countdown clock ticks down to midnight.   The world is welcoming 2026 with a »»»

Iran will meet any attempt to use ongoing protests driven by economic hardship to foment insecurity with a "decisive response", prosecutor-general Mohammad Movahedi-Azad said Wednesday. Shopkeeper-led demonstrations broke out Sunday to protest the sanction-hit country's rising cost of living. »»»

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»»»

“For the first time since the Second Bulgarian Empire, Bulgaria is printing a currency that is accepted beyond the country’s borders. January 1, 2026 marks the beginning of an era. Bulgarians travel freely, work, and develop businesses as equal citizens in the richest union in the world,” said Cont»»»

1 of 2 | A menorah is projected onto the pylon of the Sydney Harbour Bridge in Sydney, Australia, during a New Years Eve tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach mass shooting on Dec. 14. Photo by Dan Himbrechts/EPA Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Australia rang in 2026 with fireworks, solidarity, words of encou»»»

Dubai: As the New Year rang in, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence of the UAE, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, marked the start of 2026 by sharing New Year wishes with the nation. Sheikh Hamdan poste»»»

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»»»

The US Congress has released the transcript of testimony by former Special Counsel Jack Smith, in which he defended his decision to lead two defunct criminal investigations into Donald Trump. The transcript, released on New Year's Eve by the House Judiciary Committee, is 255 pages. It features ques»»»

New York: The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, has strongly criticised Israel's decision to suspend the work of a number of humanitarian organisations, calling the move shameful and part of a pattern of unlawful restrictions on aid. In a statement issued in New York on Wednesday,»»»

The firm behind US President Donald Trump's Truth Social platform said it will issue a new cryptocurrency to its shareholders, marking the Trump family's latest foray into digital assets. The digital token from Trump Media and Technology Group will add to the Trumps' crypto ventures, which have gen»»»

The year has shown that there are still opportunities for restoring relations between Moscow and Washington, Russian Ambassador to the US Alexander Darchiev has said in a holiday message. ”The past year has been challenging, but it has also opened up opportunities for restoring Russian-American rel»»»

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 »»»

SNAP users in 18 states will have new restrictions this year on what they can buy with their benefits. Some take effect Thursday. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- SNAP users in some states face additional limits on what they can buy that take effect Thursday. At least 1»»»

“Today, Bulgaria takes the final step on its long path of full European integration, a path laid out decades ago by numerous visionary politicians, many of whom were socialists. The Bulgarian euro is not just a currency. It is part of our civilizational and conscious choice, which we make every day»»»

Protesters in Iran have tried to break into a local government building in the southern province of Fars, on a fourth day of demonstrations sparked by a currency collapse. Officials said three police officers were injured and four people arrested in the city of Fasa. Confrontations were also been r»»»

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»»»

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Damascus, Dec. 31 (SANA) The Syrian Arab Republic reaffirmed its full support for Yemen’s unity and sovereignty, standing alongside the legitimate government in preserving state institutions and fulfilling the aspirations of the Yemeni people for security and stability. The Ministry of Foreign Affa»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Lebanon 2025: A Year of Resilience and Steadfastness Amid Accelerating Events 31-12-2025 21:21 PM Lebanon entered 2025 in the aftermath of »»»

Several US states are set to ban items like soda and candy for Americans who rely on government benefits to buy food. The bans will start New Years Day in five states - West Virginia, Utah, Indiana, Iowa and Nebraska - and will impact lower-income families enrolled in the Supplemental Nutrition Ass»»»

DOHA: The contests of the 17th Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2026), patronized by HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, are set to kickstart on Thursday at Marmi Sabkha in Sealine and will continue until January 24, 2026. This festival has been annually held as part of the S»»»

A Hezbollah delegation paid a holiday visit to Maronite Patriarch Bechara Boutros Al-Rahi at the Patriarchal See in Bkerke on Tuesday. The delegation included MPs Ali Fayad and Raed Brou, along with Political Council members Abu Saeed Al-Khansa and Abdullah Zaiour. They met with Patriarch Al-Rahi t»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic announced on Wednesday the Serbian oil company NIS had received a licence from the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) that would enable it to continue operations until January 23. NIS is under US sanctions due to »»»

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»»»

Vladimir Zelensky has claimed that he is in discussions with US President Donald Trump about American troops being deployed to Ukraine, in line with the security guarantees Washington has offered Kiev, according to The Telegraph. The statement came despite Trump repeatedly ruling out such a scenari»»»

Tunis, Dec. 31 (TAP) - The Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP) passed three organic bills during a plenary session on Wednesday at the Bardo Palace.The first bill concerns the approval of amendments to Protocol (B) of the free trade agreement...»»»

Burkina Faso and Mali have created travel bans for Americans in retaliation for U.S. travel bans against their citizens. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Two African countries have announced travel bans against U.S. citizens in retaliation for President Donald Trump»»»

1 of 2 | Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., announced Wednesday that the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform will hold hearings over alleged fraud in Minnesota’s social services programs starting next week. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- The House Committee on O»»»

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»»»

When festive lights shine outside the window and the peaks of our Ala-Too mountains glow under the winter moon, we feel especially keenly how important home comfort and the warmth of loved ones are. The year 2025 has given us many moments that have brought us closer together. And today, we just wan»»»

The faithful attend a Christmas mass at the damaged St. Anthony church in Al-Khiyam, southern Lebanon, on December 25. This is the first Christmas mass in the town since a cease-fire was agreed to between Lebanon and Israel in late November 2024 to halt more than a year of cross-border fighting wit»»»

Tunis, Dec. 31 (TAP) - Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration, and Tunisians Abroad, Mohamed Ali Nafti, said Tunisia will begin negotiations with the European Union to develop the legal framework between the two parties, aiming to increase Tunisian...»»»

Abdolnasser Hemmati, newly appointed governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), has pledged to restore economic stability by taking firm action against loss-making banks, curbing excess liquidity growth and dismantling distortions caused by multiple exchange rates. »»»

Doha: Minister of Awqaf (Endowments) and Islamic Affairs HE Ghanem bin Shaheen Al Ghanim inaugurated the Company Zakat Calculation Service, launched by the Ministry's Department of Zakat Affairs on its official website and app. This qualitative step reflects the Ministry's commitment to developing »»»

10...nine...eight... As Wednesday turned to Thursday, people around the world said goodbye to a sometimes challenging 2025 and expressed hopes for the new year to come. Midnight arrived first on the islands closest to the International Date Line in the Pacific Ocean, including Kiritimati (Christmas»»»

“The New Year requires not words, but character and courage,” wrote MECh leader Radostin Vasilev on Facebook. “Bulgaria needs order, justice, and governance that serves the people, not the mafia. The people need the truth,” Vasilev added. “Our duty is to defend our sovereignty, protect the national»»»

Port Sudan: The Sudanese government on Wednesday decided to extend the opening of the Adre crossing on the border with Chad for international humanitarian aid operated by international aid organizations, starting from January 1 until March 31, 2026. In a statement quoted by Sudan News Agency (SUNA)»»»

President Donald Trump has made the first vetoes of legislation since retaking the White House nearly a year ago, setting up a potential showdown with US lawmakers. The two bills he vetoed passed Congress with bipartisan support, meaning lawmakers could muster enough votes to override him in the ne»»»

As the world welcomes 2026, cybercriminals in Hyderabad have launched a new scam targeting WhatsApp users. Authorities in the southern Indian state of Telangana have warned users of a surge in WhatsApp scams coinciding with New Year celebrations. Also Read: No WhatsApp or Telegram without SIM in In»»»

In a step aimed at advancing construction activities, Expo 2030 Riyadh awarded its Main Utilities and Civil Works package to Nesma and Partners - marking a significant moment in the journey to bring to life one of the most ambitious global mega-events ever developed. The milestone demonstrates the »»»

A government building in southern Iran was attacked on Wednesday, authorities said, as the country's top prosecutor warned of a "decisive response" to any attempt to create instability after days of economic protests. Spontaneous protests, driven by dissatisfaction at Iran's economic stagnation, be»»»

Israeli bulldozers began demolishing 25 buildings housing Palestinians in a refugee camp on Wednesday, in what the military said was an effort to root out armed groups in northern areas of the occupied West Bank. The buildings, home to some 100 families, are in the Nur Shams camp, a frequent site o»»»

Sharjah: Sharjah Police have reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining safety and public order during celebrations and large gatherings, stressing that any negative behaviour will be addressed in accordance with clear legal procedures. Lieutenant Colonel Yousuf Al Mahmoud, Director of the Special »»»

Iranian protesters tried to break into a local government building in the southern Fars Province on Wednesday, state media said, on a fourth day of demonstrations over the cost of living that have prompted an unusual government offer of dialogue. Protests over high inflation and a slump in the valu»»»

New York, Dec. 31 (SANA) A year after the collapse of ousted regime, tens of thousands of Syrian families are still searching for answers about the fate of more than 100,000 people who disappeared into the country’s security prisons during nearly 14 years of war. Documents and Testimonies Reveal a »»»

1 of 2 | President Donald Trump has issued his first two vetoes of his second term this week, striking down infrastructure bills aimed at Colorado and Florida. Photo by Will Oliver/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump issued his first two vetoes of his second term this week, »»»

Riyadh: The main Saudi stock index closed Wednesday up 109.18 points, reaching 10,490.69 points, with trading valued at SAR 3.2 billion. The volume of shares traded reached 150 million, with 249 companies recording gains, while 12 companies saw their shares decline. Meanwhile, the parallel Saudi st»»»

Abu Dhabi: With just hours remaining before the world welcomes 2026, UAE leaders have extended heartfelt New Year wishes, emphasizing hope, unity, and a shared commitment to continued progress. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan took to social media to express his best wishes»»»

As Bulgaria is joining the eurozone on January 1, 2026, BTA's English service is running an updated, revised and enlarged version of a timeline of the landmark dates in the country's progress towards accession that was first published in July 2025. July 1, 1997: A strict exchange rate regime known »»»

Former U.S. Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, shown here in 2018, announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with dementia. File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Former Sen. John Kyl, R-Ariz., announced Tuesday that he has been diagnosed with dementia and will step away from publ»»»