Texas body found is missing teen; death ruled a suicide - UPI.com
A body found in San Antonio, Texas, is that of missing woman Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19. Her death was ruled a suicide. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 1 (UPI) -- A body found in San Antonio, Texas, is that of missing woman Camila Mendoza Olmos who disappeared on the morning of Chr»»»
UAE adopts two laws to bolster oversight of Capital Markets
The UAE has put in place two federal decree laws dedicated to the Capital Market Authority and regulation across capital markets. This legislative step is part of a wider initiative to update the financial sector’s legal environment. Stability, market efficiency, and competitive edge receive reinfo»»»
Maresca leaves Chelsea after just 18 months in charge
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 »»»
Disbelief as tragedy hits Swiss ski resort on New Year's Day
There is sheer disbelief on people's faces here, confronted by this tragedy - they just can't believe it. I've been coming to Crans-Montana all my life, and this is a wonderful ski resort that just keeps getting bigger and bigger. There's a lot of building going on all the time. It's a place where »»»
RTA transported 2.8 million people on New Year’s Eve
Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) transported more than 2.8 million passengers during New Year’s Eve 2026 celebrations, it said on X. That means, it saw ridership growth of over 13 per cent compared to last year’s over 2.5 million riders. The smooth transits were only possible thanks to an»»»
Americans brace to start New Year without healthcare
Adrienne Martin and her family are starting the New Year off without healthcare. The 47-year-old Texas mother had to make a difficult choice when she found out her monthly healthcare premium was increasing in 2026 from what she described as a manageable $630 (£467) to an unaffordable $2,400 (£1,781»»»
New discovery may challenge theory Vikings built first Irish towns - researcher
A recently discovered large hilltop settlement could challenge the idea that the Vikings built the first towns in Ireland, a researcher has said. Dr Dirk Brandherm and his colleagues have identified more than 600 suspected houses in the Brusselstown Ring making it, to date, the largest nucleated se»»»
Banking in 2026: When money becomes invisible
In 2026, banking in the Gulf and beyond will feel less like a place you visit and more like a digital utility running quietly in the background of daily life. Artificial intelligence, embedded finance and real-time payments are fusing into a new operating system for money that will challenge long‑s»»»
Social media fuelled Mamdani's rise. Can he keep the momentum as New York mayor?
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»»»
Coach Maresca leaves Chelsea - club
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»»»
Watch: How ‘heroes’ cleaned up Dubai's Burj Khalifa, other celebration sites post NYE revelries
Dubai: As 48 fireworks lit up the sky at 40 locations across Dubai on New Year's Eve, another spectacle unfolded on the ground, one that most revellers would only witness the results of when they woke up the next morning. Around 3,000 Dubai Municipality employees, alongside workers from private fir»»»
Woman assaulted in moving van on foggy night on Gurgoan-Faridabad road
The biting cold kept people huddled next to their heat sources while fog obscured road vision last Tuesday in India’s Gurgoan and Faridabad. And in the middle of the frigid night, a woman’s cries for help as she was brutally raped in a moving car went unanswered, reports Times of India. The 25-year»»»
Mamdani Sworn in As New York Mayor in Midnight Ceremony
Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight on Thursday, taking the oath of office at a decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a Quran as he took his oath. “This is »»»
Can Mobile Gaming Ever Really Compete With The Desktop Experience?
Mobile gaming now accounts for the biggest share of global game revenue. Newzoo's 2025 outlook puts mobile at around $103 billion, which makes up about 55% of the gaming market. That dominance is clear in the numbers. But the real debate is about quality, not market size. Desktop fans want smooth f»»»
K-pop stars BTS to release album in March ahead of world tour
Seoul: K-pop megastars BTS will release a new album in March ahead of a world tour, the group announced on Thursday. South Korea's biggest musical act has been on self-described hiatus since 2022 as its members undertook national military service required of all men under the age of 30. All seven m»»»
Trump Says National Guard Being Removed from Chicago, LA and Portland
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday his administration was removing the National Guard from Chicago, Los Angeles and Portland but he added in his social media post that federal forces will "come back" if crime rates go up. Local leaders in those cities and Democrats have said the deployments, »»»
Tsitsipas Considered Quitting Tennis during Injury-hit 2025
Stefanos Tsitsipas said on Thursday he seriously considered retiring from tennis in the depths of a struggle with serious back pain during much of the 2025 season. But the former world number three, now ranked 36th after playing just two Davis Cup matches since a second-round exit at the US Open, s»»»
N. Korea’s Kim Hails ‘Invincible Alliance’ with Russia in New Year’s Letter
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has praised his troops fighting abroad as forging an "invincible alliance" with Russia in a new year's message, state media said Thursday. Pyongyang has sent thousands of troops to support Russia's nearly four-year invasion of Ukraine, according to South Korean and W»»»
Zohran Mamdani Sworn in as New York City Mayor at Historic Subway Station
Zohran Mamdani became mayor of New York City just after midnight Thursday, taking the oath of office at an historic, decommissioned subway station in Manhattan. Mamdani, a Democrat, was sworn in as the first Muslim leader of America’s biggest city, placing his hand on a holy Quran as he took his oa»»»
Bulgaria Switches to Euro: What Will Cost More, Less, and Stay the Same from January 1, 2026 (UPDATED)
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»»»
This Is Our Story, Mohammed
This is our story, Mohammed. We fell in the trap early. We were lured by the beautiful, but deceitful, ink. We chose a thorny profession. We chose a long tunnel. No breaks and no truces. It is the hot pursuit of the news that takes up most of our lives. The reader is insatiable. The journalist purs»»»
WWICS celebrates 32 years of immigration services
Doha, Qatar: As part of its continued commitment to excellence, WWICS successfully conducted its Annual Immigration Conference on 26th December 2025, where 300+ aspirants attended and interacted with immigration experts during free one-on-one counseling sessions. WWICS Group is the world’s largest »»»
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»»»
Bulgaria Marks One Year as Full Schengen Member
On January 1, 2026, Bulgaria marks one year since becoming a full member of the Schengen Area. On December 12, 2024, the Council of the European Union decided to lift checks at the land Schengen borders of Bulgaria and Romania. Bulgaria and Romania had waited to accede Schengen since 2010, when the»»»
Arsenal reaping rewards for ‘sacrifices and commitment’: Arteta
London: Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta believes his side are starting to see the benefits of their hard work as the Gunners head into 2026 at the top of the Premier League. Tuesday’s emphatic 4-1 win at home to title rivals Aston Villa left Arsenal five points clear of second-placed Manchester City, »»»
Sudan lose to Burkina Faso as Algeria win again at AFCON
Casablanca: Sudan must face 2022 champions Senegal in the last 16 of the Africa Cup of Nations after losing 2-0 to Burkina Faso in their final group game yesterday, while Algeria beat Equatorial Guinea 3-1 at the same time. Lassina Traore’s early strike put Burkina Faso ahead at the Mohammed V Stad»»»
Near Record Number of Small Boat Migrants Reach UK in 2025
The second-highest annual number of migrants arrived on UK shores in small boats since records were started in 2018, the government was to confirm Thursday. The tally comes as Brexit firebrand Nigel Farage's anti-immigration party Reform UK surges in popularity ahead of bellwether local elections i»»»
Kim Jong-un Salutes North Korea's Troops Serving in Russia as ‘Invincible Alliance’ Grows Firmer
North Korea’s leader has sent a congratulatory message to officers and soldiers of overseas operations units on the occasion of the New Year, per KCNA. Kim Jong-un commended North Korea’s “proud sons, fighting bravely on the battlefields in the alien lands.” He expressed the certainty that the year»»»
After a 60% surge in 2025, Dubai gold prices open 2026 lower
Dubai: Gold prices in Dubai softened on January 1, easing from last week’s record highs as global markets closed out a volatile but historic year for precious metals. As of Thursday morning 9:15 am, 24-karat gold was priced at Dh520.25 per gram, while 22-karat stood at Dh481.75, offering some relie»»»
Zelensky says peace deal is 90% ready in New Year address
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said a peace agreement to end the war with Russia is "90% ready", in a New Year address that largely focused on resistance to Moscow's full-scale invasion. Zelensky said the remaining 10% of the agreement to end nearly four years of conflict would "determi»»»
Macron Vows to Remain Frence President Until 'Last Second' of His Term
Amid political instability in France, French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to work until the "last second" of his term. "I will work until the very last second, striving daily to fulfill the mandate you have entrusted to me," Macron said in his New Year's address to the nation, broadcast on BFMTV»»»
The Year of the Family: Rediscovering the art of connection
2026 has been designated as the UAE’s Year of the Family — a clear invitation to pause in our busy lives and rediscover what it means to truly see, listen, and connect with those closest to us. In a world overflowing with distractions — where devices constantly compete for our attention — we are of»»»
Gold soared 60% in 2025. What could drive prices higher or lower in 2026
Dubai: Gold heads into 2026 carrying the weight of an exceptional year. Gold remained on track for its strongest annual gain in over four decades, while other precious metals fell sharply as investors booked profits after a strong, record-setting rally. Gold has gained around 70% this year and silv»»»
Happy New Year from Gulf News and the end of the year of Labubus, Dubai chocolate and 6-7
Happy New Year to all of our readers, viewers, customers and followers. We're full of excitement as we move into 2026 on the back of an epic evening across the UAE. No-one does it better than our seven Emirates, right? Spectacular fireworks, complex drone shows, incredible crowds, stunning lights..»»»
Buying, renting or investing? What 2026 looks like for Dubai homes
Dubai: Dubai is ending 2025 with record numbers on the board and a noticeably different mood among buyers. After a year of momentum-led decisions, the property market is heading into 2026 with a sharper focus on long-term usability. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Sale»»»
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»»»
Sydney sends message of peace for New Year's after Bondi attack
Sydney has welcomed the New Year with a message of peace following the Bondi Beach mass shooting, as huge crowds gathered to watch the city's annual fireworks display. The words peace and unity were projected onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as thousands of heavily armed police officers patrolled th»»»
From science to sport: These are the stories that lifted spirits in 2025
Amid conflicts and crises, 2025 also brought reasons for optimism, medical breakthroughs, encouraging signs for the planet and sporting and cultural surprises. As the world heads into 2026, FRANCE 24 looks back at some of the stories that offered moments of relief. Welcome to 2026! As the new»»»
‘Unity, strength, hope’: Macron calls for a fruitful 2026 in New Year’s address
French President Emmanuel Macron said in his New Year's address that 2026 "can be and must be a fruitful year" as he attempts to regain some momentum and launch the final projects of his second five-year term. Macron outlined his three wishes for the French people in his New Year's speech: unity, s»»»
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»»»
President Radev in New Year's Address: We Must Not Waste Opportunity to Change Bulgaria
“To regain our democracy, we must not waste the energy and hope that were born in the squares, nor the opportunity to change Bulgaria,” said President Rumen Radev in a televised New Year’s address to the nation. “We are counting down the last minutes of the passing year. In the comfort of our homes»»»
Iran to unleash 'decisive' response if economic protests destabilise country, prosecutor says
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. »»»