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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.

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.

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.

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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)