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»»»

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»»»

Finnish police have detained a vessel suspected of damaging an undersea telecoms cable running from Helsinki to Estonia across the Gulf of Finland. The cargo vessel, the Fitburg, was sailing from St Petersburg to the port of Haifa in Israel, under the flag of St Vincent and Grenadines. All 14 crew »»»

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»»»

A Canadian couple was found dead while vacationing in the Dominican Republic, their bereaved family shared on social media. Christine Sauvé and Alain Noël died in their sleep the night of 25 December, Sauvé's brother Gilles Sauvé Jr told the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC) in an interview. »»»

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»»»

Tunis, Dec. 31 (TAP) - Weather conditions on Wednesday night will be marked by temporarily thundery rain, spreading to the rest of the northern regions and the Sahel, with passing clouds over the remaining areas, according to forecasts by the...»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Reuters citing Gulf sources: The escalation in Yemen was the result of a misconception stemming from talks between Bin Salman and Trump reg»»»

Ankara: Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan affirmed Wednesday that Turkiye is ramping up efforts to halt Israel's offensives on the Gaza Strip, surge humanitarian aid into Gaza, and embark on rebuilding efforts. The Gaza ceasefire deal is still effective thanks to the sage conduct of the people»»»

It's almost time to watch Burj Khalifa do what it does best - stand tall and shine. People have already gathered around the landmark and settled in for an evening of fun company and finer views. As for you - this is where you can catch the show.»»»

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»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Progressive Party leader Milos Vucevic, who is also adviser to the president of Serbia on regional affairs, said on Wednesday 2025 had been a very difficult and uncertain year, but that the situation in the country was now more stable and that he did not expect scenarios from thi»»»

People ride the subway past a euro adoption poster in Sofia, Bulgaria, Monday. Bulgaria is set to become the 21st member of the eurozone on Jan. 1, transitioning from the national lev to the euro amid public concerns that the move could trigger immediate price hikes and a higher cost of living. Pho»»»

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 »»»

A passenger has described "chaos" after two trains collided head-on near Peru's most popular tourist attraction, Machu Picchu. Niels Honkoop, 33, told the BBC he had switched seats part-way through the journey from the middle of the train to the back, before it crashed, injuring many of those sitti»»»

1 of 5 | Activists face off with Los Angeles Police Department officers during the “No Kings” protest outside the Metropolitan Detention Center in Los Angeles on October 18. Demonstrations took place in cities across the United States opposing policies of the Trump administration. File Photo by Jim»»»

Tunis, Dec. 31 (TAP) - The Tunisian Red Crescent, in partnership with the National Road Safety Observatory, is organising a nationwide road safety awareness campaign starting from Wednesday at noon until Thursday at noon, under the slogan: “24 Hours...»»»

Dubai: As the calendar turns from 2025 to 2026, 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, marks the occasion by sharing a touching compilation of his most cherish»»»

People across the world celebrate the start of 2026, with New York's iconic Times Square ball descending 18 hours after the South Pacific greeted the New Year. Also Read: Countdown to 2026: UAE crowds gather for spectacular New Year fireworks1/7Fireworks light up the midnight sky over Sydney Harbou»»»

Tunis, Dec. 31 (TAP) - The stock market recorded a gain of 0.6% on Wednesday, closing at 13,450 points, according to the daily analysis by broker Tunisie Valeurs.The Tunindex thus ends 2025 on a high note, with a solid performance of 35.1% that...»»»