International Monetary Fund Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva said Bulgaria’s adoption of the euro was both a major milestone and a deeply personal moment on Thursday. In posts on LinkedIn and Facebook, Georgieva looked back on the country’s tough shift from communism and the hyperinflation th»»»

The foundation stone was laid in Riyadh Thursday for the Saudi Data and Artificial Intelligence Authority (SDAIA) “Hexagon” Data Center, the world’s largest government data center by megawatt capacity. Classified as Tier IV and holding the highest data center rating by the global Uptime Institute, »»»

Crans-Montana,: Dozens of people were killed when a fire ripped through a luxury Swiss ski resort as young revellers rang in the new year, police said Thursday. "We count around 40 people who have died and around 115 injured, most of them seriously," Frederic Gisler, police commander in the Wallis »»»

About 40 people were killed and another 115 injured, most of them seriously, after a fire ripped through a bar’s New Year celebration in a Swiss Alpine resort less than two hours after midnight Thursday, police said. Authorities did not immediately have an exact count of the deceased. The Crans-Mon»»»

Libya said on Thursday that Britain had agreed to analyze the black box from a plane crash in Türkiye on December 23 that killed a Libyan military delegation, including the head of its army. General Mohammed al-Haddad and four aides died after a visit to Ankara, with Turkish officials saying an ele»»»

Vazrazhdane leader Kostadin Kostadinov set out what he described as three possible scenarios for Bulgaria in a social media post, the party’s press service said on Thursday. Kostadinov linked the scenarios to the period after the March elections and framed the choice as one between his party and it»»»

Russian intelligence services were able to retrieve a flight mission file from one of the Ukrainian drones that attacked Putin's residence. Statements by the Main Directorate of the General Staff of the Armed Forces: Decryption of the controllers from Ukrainian UAVs shot down on December 29 unequiv»»»

Tunis, Jan. 1 (TAP) - The Ministry of Transport confirmed that tickets for Tunisair are not considered expensive compared to other airlines.In response to a written question from MP Massoud Grira regarding the “activation of the Zarzis port,” the...»»»

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered a strike on two alleged drug boats in the SouthComm area, killing 5, the U.S. Southern Command said on X. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Jan. 1 (UPI) -- The U.S. military has attacked two more alleged drug-trafficking boats in the Southern Command»»»

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 »»»

Southern Transitional Council (STC) forces in Yemen began on Thursday handing over military positions to the government’s National Shield forces in the Hadhramaut and al-Mahra provinces in eastern Yemen. Local sources in Hadhramaut confirmed to Asharq Al-Awsat that the handover kicked off after mee»»»

The breakaway region of Somaliland on Thursday denied allegations by the Somali president that it would take resettled Palestinians or host an Israeli military base in exchange for Israel recognizing its independence. Israel last week became the first country to recognize Somaliland as an "independ»»»

Damascus, Jan.1 (SANA) Governor of Central Bank of Syria (CBS), Abdelkader Husrieh , called on economic activities to cooperate in implementing the cash replacement process and ensuring financial accuracy in transactions, in line with commercial customs and ethical values. This applies to all deali»»»

The season’s first heavy rains and snowfall ended a prolonged dry spell but triggered flash floods in several areas of Afghanistan, killing at least 17 people and injuring 11 others, a spokesman for Afghanistan’s national disaster management authority said Thursday. The dead included five members o»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani held a phone conversation today with His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates. During the call, they reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen and develop t»»»

Israel on Thursday said 37 humanitarian agencies supplying aid in Gaza had not met a deadline to meet "security and transparency standards", and would be banned from the territory, despite an international outcry. The international NGOs, which had been ordered to disclose detailed information on th»»»

Widening demonstrations sparked by Iran's ailing economy spread Thursday into the country's rural provinces, with at least three people being killed in the first fatalities reported among security forces and protesters, authorities said. The deaths may mark the start of a heavier-handed response by»»»

This story contains details some readers may find upsetting. "I thought my little brother was inside so I came and tried to break the window to help people to exit, and after that I went in." The 18-year-old man, who did not want to give his name, was speaking to the BBC after a huge fire at a New »»»

Doha: The Qatar Meteorology Department announced the start of the Al-Shola star period, one of the final seasonal markers of winter, which began to rise on January 2, 2026, and will last for 13 days. In a post shared on its official social media platforms, the department explained that Al-Shola is »»»

Russia and Ukraine accused each other of targeting civilians over the New Year, with Moscow reporting a deadly strike on a hotel in territory it occupies in southern Ukraine while Kyiv said there had been another broad attack on its power supplies. The reports coincide with intensive talks aimed at»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Pezeshkian: Martyr Haj Qassem Soleimani was present in every arena and was a role model, defending Iran and the people of the Islamic natio»»»

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 »»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe 24 people killed in Ukrainian attack on Kherson, Russia: agencies 01-01-2026 16:47 PM Latest News Urgent News 24 people killed in Ukrainian»»»

Tehran: Protesters and security forces clashed in western Iran on Thursday, with three people reported killed, the first deaths since the cost-of-living demonstrations broke out. The protests began on Sunday in Tehran, where shopkeepers went on strike over high prices and economic stagnation, and h»»»

Issued on the first day of 2026, a report by “Israel Hayom” exposes a deepening demographic crisis, challenging core Zionist claims of attraction and permanence. A report published by the Zionist daily Israel Hayom on Thursday acknowledges a growing reverse migration, revealing that tens of thousan»»»

1 of 2 | Police officers inspect the area where a fire broke out at the Le Constellation bar and lounge in the early hours of New Year's Eve, in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, Thursday. According to the police, several dozen people died in the fire and around 100 people were injured. Photo by Jean-Chr»»»

Doha,Qatar: Lusail City stole the spotlight during Qatar's New Year celebrations on Wednesday evening, as Lusail Boulevard hosted a grand event marking the close of the year. The city's skyline was illuminated by the largest fireworks display in the State of Qatar, officially welcoming the New Year»»»

Tunis, Jan. 1 (TAP) - The Court of Auditors recommended, in its report on the closing of the state budget for the year 2023, that greater accuracy be exercised in setting initial estimates of revenues and in defining expenditure targets.In a...»»»

Occupied Jerusalem: Dozens of settlers stormed the courtyards of Al Aqsa Mosque on Thursday under the protection of the Israeli occupation police. Sources in Jerusalem said that groups of settlers stormed Al Aqsa Mosque in the morning through the Mughrabi Gate, under the protection of the occupatio»»»

The Ukrainian attack in the Kherson Region was planned in advance, the drones deliberately hit a gathering of civilians, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Thursday. More statements from the ministry:Against the backdrop of the Russian army’s successes and the failed attempt to attack Putin’s res»»»

Tunis, Jan. 1 (TAP) - The Court of Auditors recommended, in its report on the closing of the state budget for the year 2023, that greater accuracy be exercised in setting initial estimates of revenues and in defining expenditure targets.In a...»»»

Libreville: Gabon's sports minister has announced the banning of veteran players Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Bruno Ecuele Manga, the suspension of the whole national team, and the sacking of the coaching staff following the Panthers' disastrous showing at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). An inj»»»

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»»»

Dubai: Dubai's public transport network experienced unprecedented demand on New Year's Eve 2026, with over 2.8 million passengers using various modes of transport to reach celebration venues across the emirate. The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) reported transporting 2,836,859 passengers durin»»»

January opens with unseasonably mild temperatures but unsettled and windy conditions across Bulgaria. On Friday, January 2, atmospheric pressure will continue to fall and stay below the usual levels for this time of year, signalling an active weather pattern. The day will bring plenty of sunshine o»»»

Dubai: Dubai Duty Free has reported a landmark year in 2025, posting annual sales of Dhs8.680 billion ($2.378 billion), a 9.85% rise over 2024, making it the most successful year in the retailer’s 42-year history. The strong performance was driven by ten record-breaking months, with December standi»»»

Dubai: A deadly fire ripped through a crowded New Year party at Le Constellation in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana early Thursday, leaving dozens feared dead and about 100 injured, many seriously. What happened?A fire broke out during New Year celebrations at a packed bar/nightclub, triggeri»»»

In Bulgaria, the first baby of 2026 was born in Sofia, a boy named Boyan, who arrived at a city maternity hospital just 35 minutes past midnight. Weighing 4,150 grams and measuring 54 centimeters in length, he marked the country’s earliest newborn for the year. The last babies of 2025 at the same f»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani held a telephone conversation on Thursday with Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. During the call, they reviewed the fraternal relations between the two countri»»»

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»»»

Abu Dhabi: The Abu Dhabi Civil Family Court has ordered a man to repay $16,000, or its equivalent in dirhams, to a longtime friend after ruling that he failed to return money entrusted to him for investment more than a decade ago. The court found that the defendant had received the sum from the cla»»»

Dubai: Some 116 Saudi government employees across various ministries and public bodies have been arrested in a sweeping anti-corruption crackdown, following a series of investigations conducted by the Oversight and Anti-Corruption Authority (Nazaha), the Okaz Arabic daily reported. Nazaha questione»»»

The start of the year is a time for reflection and responsibility for the future - a time to acknowledge that mistakes are part of public and political life, but also that forgiveness, dialogue, and wisdom are the way forward, the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms (ARF) wrote on Facebook on Thursday»»»

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»»»

Dubai’s real estate market closed 2025 with record-breaking sales, the highest in the emirate’s history, extending its exceptional performance for a fifth consecutive year and reinforcing its position as one of the world’s leading property markets amid strong demand from local and international inv»»»

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»»»

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»»»

There have been no reports of Bulgarians killed or injured in the incident at a bar in the Swiss ski resort of Crans-Montana, Bulgaria's Foreign Ministry told the Bulgarian News Agency on Thursday. Swiss authorities have not provided further details, the Ministry said, adding that the Council of St»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - A Ukrainian drone in the Kherson Region attacked a passenger car in which a family was traveling, killing a 5-year-old boy, regional Governor Vladimir Saldo said on Thursday, adding that three adults were hospitalized. "Kiev degenerates committed another bloody crime. Near Taraso»»»