Google's reclusive genius Larry Page storms to No. 2 on the world's richest list for the first time ever
Larry Page has surged to No. 2 among the world’s richest for the first time. And for the first time, the Google co-founder overtook Oracle’s Larry Ellison to become the world’s second-wealthiest person. Page has an estimated net worth of $262 billion as of December 1 (up $30 billion a month earlier»»»
French far-right lawmaker sparks debate with proposal to reopen brothels
Jean-Philippe Tanguy, a lawmaker from Marine Le Pen's National Rally (RN), plans to submit a bill that would allow "maisons closes" to reopen in France for the first time since 1946, albeit run as cooperatives by sex workers themselves. Prostitution is technically legal in France, al»»»
Kentucky Republican Rep. Thomas Massie introduces legislation for U.S. to leave NATO - UPI.com
Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican serving a House district in Kentucky, announced had introduced a measure to remove the U.S. from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 10 (UPI) -- U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, a Republican serving a House district in »»»
Dubai’s new contactless hotel check-in: What changes, who benefits, why it's big
Dubai: Dubai has introduced a citywide contactless hotel check-in system that lets guests complete registration before they arrive. You upload your ID, add a biometric scan, and confirm your details on your phone. Once registered, your information remains valid until your ID expires. Future stays r»»»
First of 30 oil lease sales planned for Gulf of Mexico draws $300 million
WASHINGTON: Oil companies offered $279 million for drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico on Wednesday in the first of 30 sales planned for the region under Republican efforts to ramp up US fossil fuel production. The sale came after President Donald Trump's administration recently announced plans t»»»
Portugal braced for mass disruption in first general strike for 12 years
Portugal is facing severe disruption to transport, flights, hospitals, schools and other public services on Thursday, as the two main union federations stage a general strike over unprecedented labour reforms. The last time the CGTP and the generally less militant UGT joined forces was during the e»»»
The Swiss city that lets you pay for most things with bitcoin
In a McDonald's by a lake surrounded by mountains, in the centre of the Swiss city of Lugano, a customer orders coffee. "Can I pay with bitcoin?" he asks, and the person behind the counter holds out what looks like a credit card payment terminal. It is in fact a machine for paying by crypto currenc»»»
'Downward spiral': French mother says social media drove her teen to commit suicide
A French mother whose 15-year-old son died by suicide has launched a legal fight against some of the world’s biggest social media platforms, alleging their algorithms flooded him with self-harm content that drove him into a “downward spiral”. This comes as France is considering a possible ban on so»»»
Dangerous travel conditions ahead as snow squalls threaten this week - UPI.com
Cars move slowly out of downtown St. Louis in 2013. This week, travelers across wide parts of the nation could experience visibility problems as snow squalls threaten to affect parts of the Midwest, Appalachians and the Atlantic coast. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo Snow squalls »»»
Homeland Security signs deal to buy 6 planes for deporations - UPI.com
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem took a tour of CECOT in Tecoluca, El Salvador, in March. This week, the Department of Homeland Security signed a contract to buy six planes with which to deport people. File Photo by Tia Dufour/U.S. Department of Homeland Security | License Phot»»»
Sarkozy releases prison diaries about his 20 days behind bars
Rushed out in under three weeks, Nicolas Sarkozy's new book "A Prisoner's Diary" has plenty of colour about what it's like for a former president to find himself in the isolation wing of a French jail. We learn that prisoner number 320535 had a 12 square metre cell, equipped with a bed, desk, fridg»»»
House to debate military funding bill; some GOP members unhappy - UPI.com
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth will see his travel budget cut in the new defense spending bill if he doesn't release footage of boat attacks near Venezuela. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI | License Photo Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The House of Representatives will vote on Wednesday on the bipartisan $900 »»»
New law could drastically reduce sentence of Brazil's Bolsonaro - UPI.com
Paulinho da Forca, who led negotiations on the proposed law, is seen after Brazil’s Chamber of Deputies in Sao Paolo passed the bill that seeks to reduce the sentences of former President Jair Bolsonaro and others in the attempted coup, Photo by Andre Borges/EPA Dec. 10 (UPI) -- A legislative shift»»»
Finance Bill 2026: Parliament Speaker stresses need to redouble efforts to generate wealth, growth and equity
Tunis, Dec. 10 (TAP)- Speaker of the Assembly of People’s Representatives (ARP), Brahim Bouderbala, called on state institutions to prepare to address the deterioration of the situation resulting from ineffective policies from previous periods,...»»»
European Leaders 'Willing to Pay for Their Hubris With Ukrainian Lives'
Ukrainians “who are being used as cannon fodder for Europeans pushing a failing narrative” have become the “greatest victims of this conflict,” London-based foreign affairs analyst Adriel Kasonta tells Sputnik while commenting on Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s recent statements to the Rus»»»
BTA Develops New System to Organize Information on Road Incidents, Traffic Conditions in Bulgaria
The Bulgarian News Agency (BTA) is developing a new system for organizing information on road incidents and traffic conditions in Bulgaria, BTA Director General Kiril Valchev told a meeting of the Board of the National Association of Chairpersons of Municipal Councils in Bulgaria, held in Stara Zag»»»
Judge halts Trump's National Guard move to Los Angeles - UPI.com
1 of 2 | California National Guard troops and ICE immigration raid demonstrators face off in June at the Metropolitan Detention Center in downtown Los Angeles, Calif. On Wednesday, a federal judge ruled U.S. President Donald Trump must terminate the federalized deployment of troops in the area. Fil»»»
US lawmaker pushes for withdrawal from NATO
A Republican congressman has introduced a bill to pull the US out of NATO, arguing the bloc is a “Cold War relic” that drains “trillions” of dollars from American taxpayers. Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky introduced the legislation on Tuesday, stating that the military bloc was created to counter t»»»
Israeli Druze Leader Seeks US Security Guarantees for Syrian Minority
Israeli Druze leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif urged the United States to guarantee the security of the Druze community in Syria to prevent a recurrence of intense violence earlier this year in Sweida. Washington needed to fulfill its "duty" to safeguard the rights of Syria's minorities in order to enco»»»
Israeli Druze Leader Seeks US Security Guarantees for Syrian Minority
Israeli Druze leader Sheikh Mowafaq Tarif urged the United States to guarantee the security of the Druze community in Syria to prevent a recurrence of intense violence earlier this year in Sweida. Washington needed to fulfill its "duty" to safeguard the rights of Syria's minorities in order to enco»»»
Consumers make health decisions as Congress mulls tax credit expiration - UPI.com
1 of 3 | The U.S. Capitol and House of Representatives is seen in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 7. U.S. Congress has until Dec. 31, to extend the Affordable Care Act's enhanced premium tax credits. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The deadline is approaching for Congress t»»»
Protesting farmers withdraw from Rio–Antirrio bridge road, move toward Patras
Protesting farmers from Achaia have withdrawn from the Rio–Antirrio bridge area and moved with their tractors toward the Eglykada interchange on Patras’ main ring road. Police forces remain positioned along the routes leading to Patras’ new port in an effort to prevent farmers from entering the por»»»
‘Expendable Pawn & Client State’ Ukraine Now ‘a Liability’- Analyst
Ukraine is losing the West’s proxy war against Russia, and Zelensky has become a “liability for US geostrategic imperatives,” political analyst Dr. Greg Simons tells Sputnik. “Weak and insecure” Zelensky, who initially refused to hold elections, is now begging a foreign power – the US – to secure t»»»
UAE launches smart system for government employees
Dubai: The Federal Authority for Government Human Resources (FAHR) has launched the innovative “Injazati” system for managing the performance of federal government employees, as part of its efforts to support the UAE Government’s direction in adopting effective smart solutions that enhance governme»»»
MPs Debate No-confidence Motion against Zhelyazkov Cabinet
Bulgaria’s National Assembly Wednesday debated a draft decision on a motion of no confidence against the Council of Ministers, led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, over what the opposition describes as the government’s failure in economic policy that has triggered some of the largest protests in»»»
Salt Bank surpasses 700,000 customers and shifts industry expectations
This accelerated development also translated into a rapid expansion of the Salt team. Today, the bank counts 429 employees, with 31% working in IT and 35% in business roles. Salt has also reached an important milestone in diversity: more than half of its employees are women. Despite the fact that t»»»
Aviziero launches a new phase of its intelligent platform for homeowners’ association management – free for the first 12 months
Aviziero, one of the pioneers of digitalizing homeowners’ association management in Romania, announces a new stage in the development of its intelligent software, designed to streamline accounting and operational processes for administrators and homeowners’ associations. The platform is offered fre»»»
Divided Federal Reserve expected to cut interest rates - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Shoppers walk through a retail store in Herald Square in New York City on November 29, 2024. A third federal interest rate cut in a row could boost spending to ease unemployment woes. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Dec. 10 (UPI) -- The Federal Reserve is expected to slash»»»
A Hidden Mutation. Nearly 200 Children. A Global Fertility Scandal.
Dubai: A major fertility scandal has erupted after a Danish sperm donor — who unknowingly carried a rare mutation linked to aggressive, early-onset cancers — fathered at least 197 children worldwide, according to an AFP report and a parallel investigation by BBC News. The donor, who used the alias »»»
ARP submits 2026 Finance Bill to President of Republic
Tunis, December 10 (TAP) – President of the Assembly of Peole's Representatives (ARP), Brahim Bouderbala, announced that the 2026 Finance Bill, in the version adopted by the ARP, has been submitted to the President of the Republic. The announcement...»»»
FIFA World Cup 2026 tickets won’t guarantee UAE fans a visa: US Embassy in UAE
Dubai: UAE-based football fans holding a FIFA men’s World Cup 2026 ticket will not guarantee admission to the United States, the US Embassy in the UAE clarified, as excitement builds for next year’s tournament. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.“The United States is prep»»»
Parliamentary Committees Approve 2026 State Budget Bill at First Reading
Fifteen standing parliamentary committees have on their agenda for Wednesday a first reading of the 2026 State Budget Bill, submitted by the Council of Ministers. The draft legislation was approved by the Budget and Finance Committee on Tuesday. The e-Government and Information Technologies voted, »»»
ARP submits 2026 Finance Bill to President of Republic
Tunis, December 10 (TAP) – President of the Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP), Brahim Bouderbala, said that the 2026 Finance Bill, in the version adopted by the ARP, has been submitted to the President of the Republic. 7The announcement was...»»»
Abu Dhabi: Hudayriyat Island’s first waterfront community sells out in 24 hrs, raises Dh3 billion
Bashayer, the first waterfront community on Hudayriyat Island offering views of Al Bateen and Abu Dhabi’s skyline, has sold out within 24 hours of its launch, generating Dh3 billion in sales, Modon announced. The gated neighbourhood comprises 157 villas and 330 premium residences in two low-rise te»»»
Finance Minister Highlights Government's Achievements amid No-Confidence Debate
Finance Minister Temenuzhka Petkova said on Wednesday she would wish every government that, in the first 11 months of its term in office, it achieves for Bulgaria what her government has managed to accomplish. Petkova, a ranking member of the main ruling GERB party, spoke in the National Assembly a»»»
Elon Musk says Doge was 'somewhat successful' but he would not do it again
Elon Musk says he would not lead the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) if he had his time again, but has maintained that its tumultuous efforts to shrink the size of the US government under President Donald Trump was "a little bit successful". The billionaire boss of Tesla and SpaceX gave »»»
Budget debates: Joint closing plenary session kicks off on 2026 Finance Bill
Tunis, December 10 (TAP) – The Assembly of People's Representatives (ARP) and the National Council of Regions and Districts (CNRD) held a joint closing plenary session at Bardo Palace on Wednesday to finalize the 2026 Finance Bill (PLF).The session...»»»
Government, Opposition Lawmakers Clash over Pros and Cons of Cabinet's Departure
"Eighty per cent of the reasons for the no-confidence motion have lost purpose between last Friday and the tabling of the revised draft budget this Monday," Aleksandar Ivanov MP of GERB-UDF argued, speaking during Wednesday's plenary debate on the opposition's motion of no confidence in the Zhelyaz»»»
Healthcare Workers, Medical Specialists Protest for Decent Wages, Better Working Conditions
Healthcare workers and medical specialists held protests in several places across the country on Wednesday demanding decent wages and better working conditions. In the southwestern towns of Kyustendil and Dupnitsa, hospital employees protested in the yard of their health facilities to express suppo»»»
Republican Congressman Massie Says Introduced Legislation to Withdraw US From NATO
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Republican Congressman Thomas Massie said he introduced legislation to withdraw the United States from NATO. "A bill to require the President to give notice of denunciation of the North Atlantic Treaty for purposes of withdrawing the United States from the North Atlantic Treaty O»»»
No-Confidence Motion Filed Because Ruling Parties Are Pushing Bulgaria Toward Economic Abyss, CC-DB MP Bozhanov Says
Presenting the motives for the no-confidence motion tabled by Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) and supported by the Alliance for Rights and Freedoms and Morality, Unity, Honour against the Council of Ministers led by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Yes, Bulgaria Co-Chair and CC-DB»»»
CC-DB Expect No-Confidence Motion to Be Backed by Everyone Who Still Has Bit of Political Instinct
Commenting on the upcoming no-confidence motion against the government, Yes, Bulgaria (part of Democratic Bulgaria) Co-Chair and Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) MP Bozhidar Bozhanov said on Wednesday that he and his coalition partners expect the motion to be backed by everyone who»»»
GERB Chair Borissov to "Speak on Resignations" After Jan. 1, Calls Euro Area Accession "Bulgaria’s Geostrategic Task Ahead of No-Confidence Motion"
Commenting on the upcoming no-confidence motion against the government, GERB-UDF Floor Leader and GERB Chair Boyko Borissov told reporters on Thursday that Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area is a geostrategic task that he wants to see through to the end. He said he had informed all partners of thi»»»
GERB Chair Borissov to Speak on Resignations After Jan. 1, Calls Euro Area Accession Bulgaria’s Geostrategic Task Ahead of No-Confidence Motion
Commenting on the upcoming no-confidence motion against the government, GERB-UDF Floor Leader and GERB Chair Boyko Borissov told reporters on Thursday that Bulgaria’s entry into the euro area is a geostrategic task that he wants to see through to the end. He said he had informed all partners of thi»»»
Parliamentary e-Government Committee Backs 2026 State Budget Bill at First Reading
Bulgaria’s parliamentary Committee on e-Government and Information Technologies has approved the draft 2026 State Budget Act at first reading, submitted by the Council of Ministers. The decision was passed Wednesday with seven votes in favour, three against and no abstentions. Speaking at the commi»»»
Anti-Government Protest “Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power” Planned in Sofia on December 10
A protest under the slogan “Resignation! Peevski and Borissov Out of Power” is set to take place in Sofia on December 10, starting at 6 p.m. at Independence Square (ed. the square known as the Power Triangle, where the new National Assembly building is flanked by the Presidency and the Council of M»»»
Paks expansion progressing ahead of schedule
Construction of the Paks nuclear power plant expansion is progressing faster than planned, allowing engineers to begin the technical tasks preceding first concrete as early as next week, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Péter Szijjártó announced in Moscow, according to the ministry. Speaking a»»»
Parliamentary e-Government Committee Backs 2025 State Budget Bill at First Reading
Bulgaria’s parliamentary Committee on e-Government and Information Technologies has approved the draft 2025 State Budget Act at first reading, submitted by the Council of Ministers. The decision was passed Wednesday with seven votes in favour, three against and no abstentions. Speaking at the commi»»»
Brazilian lawmakers clash over proposal to slash Bolsonaro’s prison term
Brazil’s Congress descended into chaos on Tuesday when a lawmaker disrupted a lower house vote on a bill that could cut former president Jair Bolsonaro’s 27-year sentence for an alleged coup plot. His lawyers separately asked the Supreme Court to release him for surgery and home detention on humani»»»
EU opens probe into Google for training AI without paying content creators
The EU opened an investigation Tuesday to assess whether Google is breaching European competition laws by using online content to train its generative AI models without paying publishers or even giving them the possibility of opting out of having their data used. The EU announced Tuesday it h»»»