The European Union's controversial new rules on polluting industrial imports have gone into effect on January 1, following a two-year transition period. Heavy goods such as steel, aluminium and cement are now subject to a new fee levied according to the amount of CO2 emitted during their production. Beijing has issued a statement slamming the measure as unfairly targeting Chinese goods.   

As Bulgaria formally adopts the euro currency this January 1, residents in the capital Sofia queued up in front of ATMs just after midnight to withdraw the new banknotes. Also in this edition: the world's 500 richest people added a record $2.2 trillion to their fortunes in 2025. Plus, on the occasion of Netflix's "Stranger Things" finale, we see how the show became a cash machine for the streaming giant over the past decade.

It's only been three years since ChatGPT leaped onto the world stage, but artificial intelligence is now becoming an integral part of daily life. The technology has been integrated into search engines, social media apps and online shopping sites, but has also shaken financial markets. We take a look back at how AI moved the world in 2025. But first, as Bulgaria remains divided on the eve of joining the euro, we take a look at the possible implications of switching to the single currency. 

Bulgaria will formally adopt the euro as its currency starting on January 1, leaving behind the lev, which it has used since the late 19th century. The move is unpopular with almost half the country's population over fears it could spark higher inflation, something that mistrusted authorities have been trying to downplay. Also in this edition: a central district of Budapest bans short-term rentals starting this January in a bid to fix a housing crisis.

It's the end of an era for the Danish post office. Citing a 90 percent drop in letter-sending over the past quarter-century, PostNord has ended delivering paper letters in the country, a service first started in 1624. Plus, France is set to issue €310 billion in new sovereign bonds next year, a move that's set to complicate its effort to reduce its debt pile, which already stands at over 117 percent of GDP. 

China's cyberspace administration has issued new draft rules aiming to regulate how AI chatbots can affect users' emotional wellbeing. The proposed measures come amid a surge in new AI chatbots in the country and concerns over how they can affect minors' mental health. Also in this edition: Australians buy metal detectors in droves in the hope of prospecting gold. Plus, Beyoncé joins Forbes' billionaire club.

Iran's state TV says the country's central bank chief Mohammad Reza Farzin has stepped down, as the country faces growing protests over the high cost of living. The move comes after the Iranian rial plummeted to a record low against the dollar on Sunday. The central bank has been accused of printing too much money in an effort to shore up the currency, but instead pushing the nation on the verge of hyperinflation. Also in the segment: the price of silver briefly hits a record high. 

Over a month after announcing a massive data breach affecting 34 million of its users, South Korean e-commerce company Coupang announced this Monday it would offer 1.69 trillion won in compensation (around €1 billion) to customers in the form of vouchers. Also in this edition, former EU digital chief Thierry Breton gives his first interview since being sanctioned by the US. Plus, Nokia's archived mobile design plans are now open to the public.

London-based energy giant BP announced on Wednesday it was appointing Meg O'Neill as CEO starting on April 1. The executive, who has been at the head of Australian group Woodside Energy for the past four years, is expected to focus her efforts on the company's core oil and gas activities in a bid to catch up with rivals. Also in this edition: YouTube gains the rights to broadcast the Oscars ceremony starting in 2029, underlining streaming's increasing power in Hollywood. 

Warner Brothers Discovery has rejected Paramount Skydance's hostile takeover bid, saying it carries many risks and is inferior to Netflix's offer. The company's board said the Ellison family that controls Paramount "consistently misled" them about guarantees as it urged shareholders not to sell their stocks. Plus, as oil prices rise following US President Donald Trump's order to blockade oil tankers in and out of Venezuela, we take a look at just how central oil is to the South American country's economy.