AP Afternoon Wire

"Trump vetoes, 21st country adopts euro, hello 2025."

Views expressed in this World and US news update are those of the reporters and correspondents.  Accessed on 31 December 2025, 2244 UTC.

Content and Source:  "The Associated Press."

 https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/FMfcgzQfBGVpggNMcFBWQHFpxFrWKqkC

URL--https://apnews.com.

Please check email link, URL, or scroll down to read your selections.  Thanks for joining us today.

Russ Roberts (https://trendsingeopolitics.blogspot.com).

View in Browser | APNews DONATE

AP Afternoon Wire Advancing the Power of Facts

Policy changes, but facts endure. AP delivers accurate, fact-based journalism to keep the world informed in every administration. Support independent reporting today. Donate.

By Amy Langfield December 31, 2025

Good afternoon and welcome to your afternoon news update from AP. President Donald Trump has issued the first vetoes of his second term; Bulgaria will become the 21st country to join the euro; and young Africans find hope in farming as urban life becomes too expensive.   Afternoon Wire will be on hiatus tomorrow in observance of the New Year’s Day holiday. Be sure you are signed up for AP News Alerts so you don't miss any major breaking news. UP FIRST The National Christmas Tree is lit on the Ellipse in front of the White House, Dec. 18, in Washington. (AP Photo/Rahmat Gul) These bipartisan bills were noncontroversial — until Trump vetoed them President Donald Trump has issued the first vetoes of his second term, rejecting two bipartisan natural resources bills. The Tuesday vetoes had the effect of punishing backers of the bills who opposed the president’s positions on other issues. He vetoed drinking water pipeline legislation from Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert of Colorado, an ally who broke with the president over releasing files on Jeffrey Epstein. He also rejected legislation that would have given the Miccosukee Tribe of Indians of Florida more control over some of its land. The tribe was among groups suing over a detention center in the Everglades known as "Alligator Alcatraz." Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Nearly 25 Islamic State fighters killed or captured in Syria, US military says WATCH: US fighter jets concentrate on a Puerto Rico airstrip amid rising tensions with Venezuela US commits $480M in health funding to Ivory Coast, the latest to sign 'America First' health deals Zohran Mamdani to become NYC’s next mayor with a midnight oath underground Former Republican Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona announces dementia diagnosis

TOP STORIES People stand at a currency exchange office with a poster reading "Did you exchange your levs for euros?" in Sofia on Saturday. (AP Photo/Valentina Petrova) Bulgaria to become the 21st country to join the euro, deepening EU ties despite fears On New Year’s Day, Bulgaria becomes the 21st country to join the euro currency union. But the historic milestone arrives amid political instability and skepticism among ordinary people fueled by fears of price rises. Supporters praise the move as one of the greatest achievements since the 1989 transition from a Soviet-style economy to democracy and free markets. But many people are uneasy in a country where corruption is rife and trust in the authorities is low. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ Russian drone attack injures 3 Ukrainian children as Putin expresses confidence in victory German prosecutors will drop probe of Russian magnate Usmanov after he agrees to pay nearly $12M Young Africans find hope in farming as urban life becomes too expensive Farming has long been seen as low-status work across much of Africa, pushing young people to cities in search of office jobs. But the high cost of living and lack of job opportunities are pushing some youth to give agriculture another try. Thousands of people across eight countries are being supported by a World Food Program that helps them obtain land, training and supplies. One man in Senegal with a master’s degree in criminology gave up on the capital and now owns a farm. He employs three people who gave up on migration attempts to Europe. Read more. RELATED COVERAGE ➤ AP photos spotlight a year of joy, triumph and resilience across Africa

ADVERTISEMENT IN OTHER NEWS People pose for pictures near illuminated decorations on New Year's Eve in Mumbai, India, on Wednesday. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool) New Year’s celebrations: Photos from across the globe Guinea: Junta leader Gen. Mamdi Doumbouya wins presidential election World’s second-largest economy: China’s economy looks more resilient than it feels as a property slump drags on Gospel singer: Richard Smallwood dies at 77, leaving a legacy that inspired many in music On stage: A daring scene on Broadway this season has audiences talking A New Year’s Eve tradition: What music and television to stream New Year’s Day: What’s open? Retailers. What’s closed? Government and banks Nightly spectacle: The year’s first meteor shower and supermoon clash in January skies  WATCH: A year under the stars, Hungarian astrophotographer records nature’s seasons in 2025 TRENDING A bistro table and chairs appear under a tree in a backyard in Long Island, N.Y., in August. (Jessica Damiano via AP)  Creating a simple garden sanctuary for year-round relaxation It doesn’t take much to give yourself the gift of peace -- just a chair, a few unfussy plants and some attention to detail. And if you can enjoy it year-round, all the better.

Please let us know what you think of this newsletter. You can sign up for more and invite a friend here. For news in real time visit APNews.com. - Amy

SUPPORT THE AP. DONATE.

Manage preferences | Privacy policy | Unsubscribe   *Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions or content. If you're interested in advertising, contact us here. ADVERTISEMENT