A woman shows coca leaves during an event for the National Day of Acullico (chewing of the plant) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia, in January. Then-Bolivian President Luis Arce said his countrymen have shown the world that the coca leaf 'is not cocaine, File Photo by Juan Carlos Torrejon/EPA Dec. 17 (UPI) -»»»

1 of 3 | Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., speaks during a Senate Committee on Appropriations Subcommittee hearing at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on December 3. He joined House Democrats on a discharge petition to force a vote on ACA subsidies. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 1»»»

Spain is to set up a national network of climate shelters in public buildings to offer people refuge from intense heat before next summer, its prime minister has announced. The move was announced as Pedro Sanchez laid out a plan to address the impact of climate change during a conference in Madrid »»»

The National Assembly voted on Wednesday at second reading to amend the Value Added Tax (VAT) Act. The changes regulate the conditions for applying special VAT schemes for small enterprises, both for entities established in Bulgaria and for those established in another EU Member State. The Assembly»»»

The Russia-Pakistan Eurasian Forum concluded in Moscow on Wednesday with organizers announcing a concrete plan to deepen ties, establishing a new strategic dialogue and working groups focused on media, education, economic projects and counterterrorism. Dr. Roxolana Zigon, a co-organizer of the foru»»»

Dubai: Hotel occupancy rates in the UAE reached 79.3 per cent during the first 10 months of 2025, placing the country among the highest performers regionally and globally, according to Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy and Tourism. In statements to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on the»»»

The second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement is expected to begin in January, likely in the first or second week, according to Bishara Bahbah, head of the Arab Americans for Peace Committee and a mediator closely aligned with the US administration on the Gaza file. Bahbah told Asharq Al-Awsat o»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Meteorology Department issued a special weather report for Qatar National Day, Thursday, December 18, 2025. The Department stated that thunder rain was to be expected during the National Day holiday, associated with strong wind by the afternoon. “Misty at first becomes cloudy»»»

Tirana City Council has formally requested Albania’s Special Prosecution Office (SPAK) and the General Directorate of Prisons to allow the capital’s mayor, Erion Veliaj, to attend in person meetings related to the consultation and detailing of the city’s draft budget for 2026. In its request, the c»»»

Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, joined Michael and Susan Dell in backing so-called Trump accounts for children of low-income families. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Ray Dalio and his wife, Barbara, are funding new investment accounts for children called Trump accounts. »»»

Outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said on Wednesday that he has no concerns about Bulgaria joining the eurozone because of the disputes surrounding the country’s budget for next year. He commented on this and other issues to Bulgarian journalists in Brussels, where he arrived to take part in»»»

Former Albanian Prime Minister and Democratic Party leader Sali Berisha convened the party’s National Council on Friday at its headquarters in Tirana, with discussions focused on the planned protest on 22 December and efforts to remove Prime Minister Edi Rama from power. According to party sources,»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Armed Forces (SAF) Chief of General Staff Gen Milan Mojsilovic met on Wednesday with the commanders of tactical units constituting a part of the SAF ground forces to discuss the security situation in Serbia and the region, as well as plans for next year. In a closing address, Moj»»»

Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces destroyed and concealed evidence of mass killings they committed after overrunning the Darfur city of el-Fasher, a new report has found. Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL), which has used satellite imagery to monitor atrocities since the RSF'»»»

More than 115 Argentine unions grouped under the 'Front of Struggle for Sovereignty, Decent Work and Fair Wages' march in June toward the Ministry of Deregulation and State Transformation. File Photo by Adan Gonzalez/EPA BUENOS AIRES, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Argentina's government is pushing a labor refor»»»

Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi Police have urged motorists to adhere to safe driving practices as rainfall and unstable weather conditions are expected over the coming days, warning that hazardous road conditions could pose risks on both internal and external roads. In a statement, the police called on drive»»»

Tunis, Dec. 17 (TAP- Meriem Khadhraoui) - At the heart of El Feija National Park in Ghardimaou (north-western Tunisia), local communities live isolated within a lush green setting, surrounded by forested mountains and exceptional...»»»

Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., speaks during a press conference after a weekly House Republican caucus meeting at the U.S. Capitol in March. He announced Wednesday that he won't seek re-election. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Rep. Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., announced Wedne»»»

Private medical establishments are not bodies governed by public law and therefore should not be included within the scope of the Public Procurement Act, says the Bulgarian Hospital Association (BHA) in an open letter sent to the European Commission, the European Parliament, the National Assembly, »»»

BELGRADE - Secretary General at the Serbian MFA Dusan Kozarev met with Pakistan's newly-appointed ambassador to Belgrade Syed Faraz Hussain Zaidi on Wednesday to discuss possibilities for advancement of bilateral relations, as well as current issues in the international arena. "With both sides reaf»»»

Dubai: Dubai is set to experience unstable weather conditions from Wednesday to Friday, with authorities warning of intermittent rainfall, strong winds and reduced visibility, according to the Dubai Government Media Office. In a statement issued on Wednesday, the office said the emirate is likely t»»»

A handful of moderate Republicans in the US House of Representatives forced a vote to extend healthcare subsidies used by millions of Americans that are set to expire at the end of the year. The House vote is slated for Wednesday evening but if it passes - which is expected - it will face an uphill»»»

Lebanese judge Tarek Bitar headed to Bulgaria on Wednesday to question a shipowner wanted in connection with a catastrophic 2020 Beirut port blast, a judicial official told AFP. The long-awaited questioning comes after a court this month refused Lebanon's request to extradite Igor Grechushkin, a 48»»»

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters pictured in February in Washington, D.C. The CDC's new policy change Tuesday allows parents of infants born to mothers who test negative for the virus to decide whether their newborns receive the vaccine, including the birth dose. »»»

In Sofia, citizens gathered in front of the Bulgarian National Bank to protest against the adoption of the euro. The demonstration is organized by the civil association Doyran 2025 and has been officially registered with the Sofia Municipality. Participants carried banners reading slogans such as “»»»

The Saudi Cabinet, chaired by Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, approved on Wednesday the cancellation of the expat levy on foreign workers in licensed industrial establishments. The decision is based on the recommendation of the Council of Economic »»»

Doha: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced that 21 out of its 31 health centers will be operating during the National Day holiday, Thursday, December 18. The on-duty health centers will provide family medicine and supporting services continuously from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. during »»»

Leftist Greek MEP Nikos Pappas, a member of the SYRIZA party, is under investigation by French police after allegedly assaulting journalist Nikos Giannopoulos in Strasbourg. The incident reportedly occurred around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday at a bar where Pappas was drinking with colleagues and the press d»»»

A protest against the euro changeover was held outside the Bulgarian National Bank building in Sofia on Wednesday. The protest was organized by the Doyran 2025 Association and was registered with the Sofia Municipality. Protesters carried banners reading "No to the euro," "It is time to be heard, n»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Ivica Dacic received on Wednesday a delegation of the Media Centre of the Chinese Ministry of Public Security. "Dacic said that contemporary security challenges require fast and efficient communication with the public, assessing that th»»»

BELGRADE - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic will on Thursday host Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili, who will be paying an official visit to Serbia on December 17-19, the press office of the president of Serbia announced. A welcoming ceremony outside Belgrade's Palace of Serbia is scheduled»»»

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, took to Instagram to caution people just as the Emirates prepares for a few rainy days. In Insta reels on Wednesday, he zoomed in on r»»»

AMMAN — Investment Minister Tareq Abu Ghazaleh on Wednesday discussed ways to enhance cooperation and investment partnerships during a meeting with the Chief Executive Officer of India’s RITES Limited.The meeting was attended by the CEO of the Jordanian Company for Developing Cities and Government »»»

AMMAN — The Jordan Chamber of Industry (JCI) and Danish Industry (DI) have concluded the "Najahna" project, by the Novo Nordisk Foundation as part of its corporate social responsibility programmes.The three-year initiative funded project aimed at strengthening skills development and employment oppo»»»

Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife (NCW), in cooperation with Soudah Development Company, has released a number of birds of prey in Al-Soudah Park, including three griffon vultures, a black kite, an Arabian scops owl, and an Eurasian sparrowhawk, after rehabilitating them at shelter center»»»

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is testifying before a Georgia state Senate committee Wednesday about her case against President Donald Trump. File Photo by Erik S. Lesser/EPA Dec. 17 (UPI) -- Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis is facing a Georgia state Senate committee over he»»»

‎The annual conference of the Faculty of Economics at Al-Margeb University was held yesterday at the headquarters of the National Council for Economic and Social Development under the title: From Rents to Economic Diversification: Reality – ‎‎Challenges – and Transformation Policies. The conference»»»

Britain on Wednesday added Egypt's Zohr gas field, in which Russian oil major Rosneft holds a 30% stake and London-based BP has a 10% holding, to a list of projects exempt from its Russia sanctions. Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's top oil producers, were sanctioned by Britain and the United States in »»»

Oil prices surged on Wednesday after US President Donald Trump ordered a blockade of "sanctioned" oil tankers heading to and leaving Venezuela. Both Brent and WTI contracts jumped more than two percent before paring gains. "The big news is the oil-price rally after President Donald Trump announced »»»

Currently, with intense diplomacy taking place to – perhaps – end the Ukraine conflict, questions surrounding Kiev’s domestic politics may seem secondary. However, in reality, they are as important as the search for peace. There are two reasons: First, Ukrainians have a right to finally be released»»»

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s National Center for Meteorology has forecast a high probability of snowfall on Thursday across parts of the Kingdom’s north, including the Qassim region and elevated areas of Tabuk and Hail, as an intense weather system continues to affect large areas of the country. The forec»»»

Tunis, Dec. 17 (TAP)- A popular march in support of the July 25 process and President Kais Saied took place Wednesday at Habib Bourguiba avenue in Tunis. The march was called by political parties and activists in commemoration of the...»»»

Abu Dhabi: The UAE has secured the inscription of four new cultural elements on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, reinforcing the country’s growing profile as a regional and global leader in heritage preservation. The decision was taken during the 20th se»»»

Dubai: The UAE has sharply accelerated the processing of work permit quotas, cutting approval times from up to 10 days to just one second, as part of the country’s efforts to eliminate bureaucracy and embed artificial intelligence across government services. The Ministry of Human Resources and Emir»»»

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, 17 December 2025: Vanity Fair's interview of Susan Wiles makes headlines across the United States. Next, The New York Times investigates Jeffrey Epstein's wealth and career. Elsewhere, Kylian Mbappé has won a court case against his former club Paris Saint-Ge»»»

Researchers tracking wild polar bears in northern Canada witnessed something exceedingly rare this fall: a mother bear adopting a cub that was not biologically her own. The five-year-old mother bear and her 10- to 11-month-old cubs were observed and captured on camera during the annual polar bear m»»»

Former Special Counsel Jack Smith arrived on Capitol Hill on Wednesday for a high-stakes, closed door hearing about his two defunct criminal investigations into President Donald Trump. According to prepared remarks, Smith planned to tell Congress his team "developed proof beyond a reasonable doubt"»»»

US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump will attend a ceremony on Wednesday to honor US personnel killed in Syria over the weekend by a suspected ISIS attacker. Trump and his wife will travel to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware to be present for what the Air Force calls the "dignifie»»»

A prosecutor at the appeal trial of the neo-Nazi Golden Dawn group has proposed that all 42 defendants be convicted in line with the original indictment, during proceedings before a Five-Member Court. The case concerns charges of running a criminal organization, as well as the 2013 murder of anti-f»»»

Parliament on Wednesday passed on second reading the 2026 Revenue Collection and Expenditures Bill, the so-called 2026 Budget Extension Bill. Earlier in the day, the bill was approved on first reading. Lawmakers adopted a proposal by Continue the Change–Democratic Bulgaria co-leader Assen Vasilev p»»»