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»»»

In a New Year address, published on the Council of Ministers’ Facebook page, Bulgaria's outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said: "We are welcoming the New Year 2026 as a member of the euro area – a strategic step that brings greater security, financial stability and more opportunities for bot»»»

“I am convinced that the Eurozone is not just a change of currency, but a civilizational choice. This key decision required from the political class a clear choice - narrow party populism or statesmanship,” wrote GERB leader Boyko Borissov on Facebook. “For GERB, the choice was clear. This choice a»»»

Open-source imagery and data confirm that the vessels targeted by the Saudi-led coalition air strike on Mukalla, Yemen, on December 30, originated from the United Arab Emirates. The ships were carrying Emirati military vehicles used by a separatist group. Images of the air strike on Yemen’s port of»»»

Dozens of NGOs expect to see their licenses to operate in Gaza revoked on January 1 for failing to comply with Israel’s new rules for the Palestinian territory. Their expulsion comes as Gazans face harsh winter conditions and a deepening humanitarian crisis.  Medical charity Doctors Without Bo»»»

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»»»

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»»»

“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»»»

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. »»»

Lusail, Qatar: A spectacular display of pyrotechnics and synchronised drone technology illuminated the skyline over Lusail Boulevard at midnight on Thursday, as Qatar formally ushered in the year 2026. The celebration, which drew tens of thousands of residents and international visitors, has garner»»»

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»»»

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 »»»

A potential threat caused a partial shutdown at Kansas City International Airport late Wednesday morning. The airport was reopened about an hour later following a search. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- A late-morning threat on Wednesday caused a temporary lockdown at»»»

“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»»»

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»»»

Damascus, Dec. 31 (SANA) Minister of Economy and Industry, Nidal al-Shaar, emphasized that the new national currency aims to improve the efficiency of transactions in the national economy, making the exchange of value smoother and more convenient. In a Facebook post, al-Shaar noted that the real ch»»»

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 »»»

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»»»

Ajman Municipality has announced that paid parking will be free of charge on January 1, 2026. Normal parking fees will resume on January 3, 2026. The municipality also confirmed the closure of its main Customer Happiness Center, Manama Center, Masfout Center, and Lease Regulation Department on Janu»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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»»»

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. »»»

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»»»

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»»»

BELGRADE - Serbia registered 4.4 pct fewer tourist visits in November 2025 relative to the same month of 2024 and the number of overnight stays was down by 4.3 pct y-o-y, according to figures released by the national statistical office RZS. Overnight stays by Serbian tourists were down by 4.2 pct, »»»

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»»»

“All the compromises I made over the past year were for this moment, because I unconditionally believe that from now on Bulgaria will be a complete and full-fledged member of the European community, something that we all absolutely deserve,” There Is Such a People leader Slavi Trifonov wrote on Fac»»»

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»»»

A UN humanitarian team visited el-Fasher in Sudan’s Darfur region for the first time since a paramilitary force overran the city in October, carrying out a rampage that is believed to have killed hundreds of people and sent most of the population fleeing. The hours-long visit gave the UN its first »»»

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping exchanged New Year’s greetings, praising steady relations between the two countries. Moscow and Beijing have deepened cooperation since the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in February 2022. The two countries describe their t»»»

DOHA: The 3rd Souq Waqif Truffle Exhibition and Auction, held in the eastern square of the market, is witnessing a large turnout of visitors and truffle lovers, following the outstanding success achieved by the exhibition over the past two editions, establishing a culture of buying this product in »»»

Colombian President Gustavo Petro said the site struck in Venezuela was used to mix coca paste into cocaine and linked it directly to the ELN, the Colombian guerrilla group Photo by Carlos Ortega/EPA Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Colombian President Gustavo Petro said he learned the United States' attack on Ven»»»

Islamabad: Pakistan reported a sharp decline in polio cases in 2025 due to sustained vaccination campaigns and improved disease surveillance, health authorities said on Wednesday. Official data showed polio cases fell from 74 in 2024 to 30 in 2025, with no new cases reported nationwide since Septem»»»

Israel plans to ban 37 aid organizations from operating in Gaza from Thursday unless they hand over detailed information on their Palestinian staff, despite mounting criticism from the United Nations and the European Union. Several NGOs have told AFP the new rules will have a major impact on food a»»»

Russia's defense ministry released video footage on Wednesday of what it said was a downed drone at a briefing intended to show Ukraine tried this week to attack a presidential residence and challenge Kyiv's denials that such an attack took place. Kyiv says Moscow has produced no evidence to suppor»»»

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»»»

BELGRADE - In 2025, Serbia posted real GDP growth of 2 pct reflecting upturns in most service sectors and industry, the National Bank of Serbia (NBS) said on Wednesday, quoting an estimate by the national statistical office. "A decline was recorded in the construction and less so in agriculture due»»»

Police in San Antonio, Texas, said they have found a body during the search for Camila Mendoza Olmos, 19, who went missing on Christmas Eve. The body hasn't been officially identified. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI. | License Photo Dec. 31 (UPI) -- Authorities found a body during a search for a mis»»»