Dubai: Spotify announced on January 15 that they will be increasing the price for Premium subscribers across the U.S, Estonia, and Latvia. Users received an email with the news on updated features and the new prices. Current Premium plans are being charged at $11.99 a month and will be increased to»»»

Romania’s mandatory private pension system recorded its strongest annual performance to date in 2025, achieving an average return of 19.2%. According to data from the Association of Private Pension Administrators (APAPR), total net assets reached a historic peak of EUR 39.5 billion (RON 201.6 billi»»»

Credit demand remained strong, driven by companies, and is expected to continue remain robust Banks are increasingly optimistic about credit supply in the coming months. Two thirds of cross-border banking groups plan to expand operations in the ...»»»

The Romanian economy recorded a growth rate of 0.8% last year, falling significantly short of the 1.3% projected in June and the 2.1% estimated at the start of 2025, according to the latest “Global Economic Prospects” report published on last Tuesday by the World Bank. In 2026, Romania’s GDP is exp»»»

Price pressures ended 2025 at 9.7%, with no major surprises across spending categories in December. While widespread pressures across the services sector seem to be moderating, the trend has yet to be confirmed. We continue to expect inflation to end 2026 at 4.5% and the National Bank of Romania to»»»

Insurance companies paid, in the first nine months of last year, on average almost 6.7 million lei per day in compensation for 754 CASCO claims related to insured vehicles, according to the National Association of Insurance and Reinsurance Companies in Romania (UNSAR) data published on Friday.Accor»»»

Chairman of the State Committee for National Security of Kyrgyzstan (SCNS) Kamchybek Tashiev announced the need for a complete inspection of all pawnshop companies in the country. He stressed that the checks should be conducted jointly with the tax authorities and the National Bank. «Inspect all pa»»»

North Korean hackers have impersonated human rights organizations and financial institutions in South Korea to lure targets into opening malicious files, according to a report released Monday by cybersecurity firm Genians. File Photo by Stephen Shaver/UPI | License Photo SEOUL, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Nor»»»

On Jan. 19, 1861, Georgia voted to secede from the Union and joined the Confederacy. 1 of 3 | On January 19, 1861, Georgia voted to secede from the Union and joined the Confederacy. The vote was held at the Old State Capitol in Milledgeville, Ga., pictured in 1937. File Photo by L.D. Andrew/Library»»»

Hong Kong: Gold and silver hit record highs on Monday while most equity markets fell after Donald Trump revived trade war fears by threatening several European nations with tariffs over their opposition to the United States buying Greenland. The US president has fanned already-rising geopolitical t»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli glider drops stun grenade in the southern Lebanese border town of Dhaira: Al-Manar correspondent 19-01-2026 09:53 AM Latest News Ur»»»

Dubai: Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman's daughters, Khatija and Raheema, took to Instagram to defend their Oscar-winning father following intense criticism over comments he made in a recent interview about the shifting power dynamics within the Hindi film industry. The controversy erupted after AR»»»

Countries including France and Britain are considering following Australia's lead by banning children and some teenagers from using social media, but experts are still locked in a debate over the effectiveness of the move. Supporters of a ban warn that action needs to be taken to tackle deteriorati»»»

Abu Dhabi: With improving weather conditions, astronomers have obtained a clearer daytime image of the crescent marking the beginning of the Islamic month of Shaaban 1447 AH, offering a rare and detailed view of the lunar phase. The image was captured earlier Monday from Abu Dhabi by the Al Khatim »»»

2025 was characterized as a prudent year in the labour market and, although the total number of new jobs appeared in the market knew a 10% drawback against 2024, the year ended with a total of 260,000 jobs posted over January-December, according to data of the annual Review & Trends report, the 10t»»»

The natural increase continued in the negative (-7,504) in November 2025, when registered deaths were 1.7 times higher than live births, according to data published on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS)."In November 2025, birth certificates for 11,085 children were registered, dow»»»

Over half (51%) of Romanians in the workforce feel relatively confident about keeping their jobs, while 35% say they are not confident about finding a new one, according to the fourth edition of the Consumer Trust Barometer conducted by research and consulting agency Exact Business Solutions.The su»»»

The gross average salary in Romania rose 2.4% to 9,371 lei in November 2025 compared with October, while the net average earnings increased 2.2% to 5,615 lei, according to data the National Institute of Statistics (INS) published on Friday.According to the official statistics, in November 2025, in »»»

The Constitutional Court of Romania (CCR) postponed to 11 February the deliberations on the Bolojan Government's new draft regarding the magistrates' pension reform."Taking into account the request to suspend deliberations in order to better examine the issues forming the subject of the case, as we»»»

The first evaluation of Romania as a full Schengen member confirms the country's professional profile and openness to constructive dialogue in implementing the required measures, Interior Minister Catalin Predoiu said on Friday.The official met on Friday with a European Commission delegation led by»»»

Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan said on Friday in Iasi that funding for the two motorway endpoints in Moldavia - Iasi-Ungheni and Suceava-Siret - has been approved by the European Commission, with the projects considered essential for regional connectivity and for the defence component."First of all, w»»»

Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete held talks on Friday with his counterpart from the Republic of Moldova, Emil Ceban, focusing on the organisation of medical services, institutions' capacity to support 'genuine' reforms, and how healthcare projects should be designed to deliver "visible and measur»»»

Romania will take part in the 2026 edition of the World Economic Forum in Davos with its largest government delegation to date, including Foreign Minister Oana Toiu, Minister of Investments and European Projects Dragos Pislaru, Energy Minister Bogdan Ivan, and presidential adviser Radu Burnete.Acco»»»

National Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Radu Miruta announced on Friday that 21 Army procurement projects ranging from armored vehicles and drones to ships, helicopters, weapons, ammunition, air-defense systems and radars will be contracted "at a rapid pace" in the coming months.''Roman»»»

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Oana Toiu, declared on Friday that the approval by the European Commission of the SAFE plan for Romania represents an "important decision for security and economy" and stressed that the stakes are not only the purchase of equipment, but also investments in industry and »»»

The information recently published in the public space according to which France is "extremely dissatisfied" with Romania's position regarding the EU-Mercosur trade agreement or that there is connection between this file and the French military presence on Romanian territory is "simply false", the »»»

The European Commission's decision to approve Romania's application for funding via SAFE (Security Action for Europe) is a very good news, president of Romania Nicusor Dan stated on Friday, while specifying that our country received 16 billion euros, the second largest amount granted to a Member St»»»

The Russian military intelligence service GRU was responsible for an attempted arson attack in 2024 on a Lithuanian factory that supplies radio wave scanners to the Ukrainian military, Lithuanian officials said on Friday. Six citizens from Spain, Colombia, Cuba, Russia and Belarus have been charged»»»

President Nicusor Dan will receive on Monday the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and Commander of the United States European Command (USEUCOM), General Alexus G. Grynkewich.The meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. at Cotroceni Presidential Palace.On Tuesday, General Alexus G. Grynkewich wil»»»

Kyrgyzstan is entering 2026 as the leader among Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) countries in terms of growth in the volume of construction work. The republic has maintained the top position among the five member states since January last year. According to the Eurasian Economic Commission, construct»»»

Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing and Communal Services of Kyrgyzstan Nurdan Oruntaev, along with inspectors from the State Department of Architectural and Construction Supervision, conducted a raid on construction sites in Bishkek. He also ordered similar inspections to be organized »»»

In 2025, at least 232 cases of food poisoning were registered in Kyrgyzstan, affecting 580 people. The Republican Center for Health Promotion and Mass Communication reported. According to the center, 11 cases of mass poisoning (involving more than five people) were registered, five of which occurre»»»

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’ advisor Dr. Mahmoud Al-Habbash said that the situation in the Gaza Strip, along with the formation of the Board of Peace and its related entities is not a Palestinian choice. This is “a temporary arrangement (mandated by the UN Security Council) that the Palesti»»»

Dubai: Ever dreamed of going to space? NASA is inviting you to join Artemis II test flight alongside four astronauts as they head to the Moon and back to test systems and hardware needed for deep space exploration. You can be a part of 'Send Your Name with Artemis II' which is a free initiative by »»»

Requirements for domestic film production in Kyrgyzstan will be tightened. It was announced at a meeting of the Committee on Science, Education, Innovative Development, Information Technology, Culture, Sports, and Youth Affairs of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan. According to Deputy Minister of Cultur»»»

Paris, France: Countries including France and Britain are considering following Australia's lead by banning children and some teenagers from using social media, but experts are still locked in a debate over the effectiveness of the move. Supporters of a ban warn that action needs to be taken to tac»»»

Jan. 19 (UPI) -- A 12-year-old boy was in critical condition following a shark attack off Sydney's coast, authorities said. Emergency services were called to Hermitage Foreshore Walk near Shark Beach at about 4:20 p.m. local time Sunday in response to reports that a boy had been bitten by a shark, »»»

Davos, Switzerland: Corporate chiefs and government leaders including US President Donald Trump swarm into Davos, Switzerland this week, joining an elite annual meeting that promotes dialogue and economic progress. The even is being held evren as a domineering tone from Washington has upended the g»»»

A large-scale fire erupted in the early hours of Monday at a plastics factory in Menidi, on the northern outskirts of Athens, completely destroying the facility. No injuries or casualties have been reported. Authorities issued an emergency 112 text alert urging residents in the area to remain indoo»»»

Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in his secret hideout these days, knows he is now a marked man. He will not be sitting on his veranda anytime soon. When discussing what the United States might do next to help the protesters in Iran, US President Trump has mentioned Qassem Soleimani a»»»

Dubai: There are very few people in the world as obsessed with sauce as Dubai entrepreneur Faisal Al Mutairi — and that’s saying something in a city that loves bold flavours. The self-styled chief chilli officer at House of Habanero – a dedicated speciality retailer for all things spicy - owns more»»»

Dubai: Emirates is expanding its Dubai-Manila route with four additional weekly flights starting April 2, 2026, strengthening travel options for residents, overseas Filipino workers, and business travellers between the UAE and the Philippines. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Ba»»»

A study led by researchers from the Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland, revealed a new liver- and gut-targeted oral drug that can safely lower triglycerides and other blood lipids. Researchers of the study, published last Friday in Nature Medicine, said the innovative dr»»»

BusinessGlobal issuesWEF: Donald Trump set to dominate Davos 2026Ashutosh PandeyWeeks after attacking Venezuela, capturing its controversial leader, and reviving Greenland ambitions, the US president's presence in Davos is expected to raise the stakes at WEF's annual meeting. https://p.dw.com/p/56p»»»

China's population fell for the fourth straight year in 2025 as its birth rates sunk to a record low, despite the government rolling out a spate of incentives to boost them. The country's population fell 3.39 million to reach 1.4 billion by the end of 2025, marking a quicker decline than the previo»»»

Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is widely expected to call for a snap election, less than three months after taking office, in a bid to shore up greater support. Unnamed officials told local media Takaichi would announce the date of the lower house election at a press conference on Monday af»»»

Madrid: The collision between two high-speed trains on Sunday evening in Andalusia in southern Spain has claimed at least 39 lives, according to a new toll confirmed Monday to AFP by the Spanish interior ministry. The previous toll reported 21 dead following the accident near Adamuz, about 200 kilo»»»

Dubai: Several regions across Saudi Arabia are expected to experience a sharp drop in temperatures and increasingly active surface winds from Tuesday through Thursday, according to the National Centre for Meteorology (NCM). In a weather advisory, the NCM said the strong winds are likely to stir up »»»

Gold and silver prices climbed to fresh peaks on Monday, as investors poured into safe-haven assets after US President Donald Trump threatened to impose extra tariffs on European countries over the control of Greenland. Spot gold jumped 1.6% to $4,666.11 as of 0551 GMT, after scaling an all-time hi»»»

An Al Ain court has ordered a woman and her husband to pay Dh32,506 to a car repair workshop, ruling that the amount represents the outstanding balance for engine modifications carried out on a vehicle owned by the woman. In its judgment, the court said the documents submitted by the claimant faile»»»