Dubai: The rapid buildup of US military forces in the Middle East has progressed to a stage where President Donald Trump now has the option of launching military action against Iran as soon as this weekend, The New York Times reported, citing administration and Pentagon officials. The report unders»»»

Wizz Air, the leading airline in Bulgaria by market share, has announced the launch of a new direct route connecting Burgas with Radom, Poland. Flights on this line will operate twice weekly, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, beginning on July 21, 2026, at the peak of the summer travel season. Tickets are»»»

Rumyana Bachvarova has been appointed Chef de Cabinet to caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov, the government’s press service told BTA on Thursday. Earlier in the day, she attended the handover ceremony at the Council of Ministers. Bachvarova holds a degree in sociology from Sofia University St. K»»»

Lima, Peru: Peru's Congress on Wednesday elected lawmaker Jose Balcazar as its new leader, who assumes the country's presidency under constitution. Balcazar was sworn in as Peruvian president shortly after the vote. His term will run through July 28, 2026, in accordance with the current presidentia»»»

Tokyo: Osaka has received an unusual donation -- 21 kilograms of gold -- to pay for the maintenance of its ageing water system, the Japanese commercial hub announced Thursday. The donation worth $3.6 million was made in November by a person who a month earlier had already given $3,300 in cash for t»»»

The ninth edition of the Egypt International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS 2026) is scheduled to take place from March 30 to April 1, 2026, under the auspices of President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. The Supreme Committee for the Egypt International Petroleum Conference and Exhibition (EGYPS»»»

Osaka has received an unusual donation -- 21 kilograms of gold -- to pay for the maintenance of its ageing water system, the Japanese commercial hub announced Thursday. The donation worth $3.6 million was made in November by a person who a month earlier had already given $3,300 in cash for the muni»»»

A Chinese fisherman prepares to move his fishing nets onto his boat and go to sea in the East China Sea in Zhoushan, Zhejiang province, southeast China. File Photo by Wu hong/EPA Feb. 19 (UPI) -- For decades, China's maritime identity has been defined by scale: It produces and consumes the most sea»»»

Romanian investors are recalibrating their portfolios in 2026, reducing concentrated exposure to the US technology sector and shifting towards sectors perceived as more stable, including energy, industrials, and commodities, according to an analysis by Investimental. Based on activity on its Nova p»»»

Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to travel to Israel next week to update Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, two Trump administration officials said. Rubio is expected to meet with Netanyahu on Feb. 28, according to the officials, who spoke Wednesday on con»»»

China almost certainly shook neighbouring Kazakhstan with an underground nuclear weapons test, according to a senior American official. Seismic activity detected in Kazakhstan on June 22, 2020 appeared to stem from such a »»»

China almost certainly shook neighbouring Kazakhstan with an underground nuclear weapons test, according to a senior American official. Seismic activity detected in Kazakhstan on June 22, 2020 appeared to stem from such a »»»

Dubai: The Global Student Entrepreneur Awards, known as GSEA, the world’s leading competition for university and college students who run a business while pursuing their studies, is now accepting applications for the 2026 UAE edition. Established in 1998 and run by Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO),»»»

Doha, Qatar: Social media funnyman and traveller Abbas Alnabawi was not aware how much a trip from Thailand to Qatar by bicycle would demand from him, both physically and mentally. Alnabawi –better known online as Mrabbosi— is in the business of laughter, where he excels in making a static, pixilat»»»

Dubai: The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) has urged Filipinos abroad to exercise caution when enrolling in institutions that market themselves as “Philippine Schools Overseas” (PSOs). In an advisory, the agency has issued a warning that not all schools using the label are officially recogni»»»

During 2025, SkyTower has signed lease agreements and extensions covering approximately 9,000 square metres GLA, including both new tenants and expansions for existing occupants. These transactions reinforce SkyTower’s leading position in the Bucharest office market and highlight its growing appeal»»»

Abuja: A toxic gas leak at a mine in north-central Nigeria killed 37 people and led to the hospitalization of 26 others, according to police. The incident occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in Kampani Zurak community, located in the Wase area of Plateau state, police spokesman Alfred Alabo said»»»

Dubai: More than 125 passengers travelling from Muscat to New Delhi were left waiting for over five hours after an Air India Express flight was delayed late on Tuesday night, according to a report by Times of Oman. Air India Express confirmed the incident to Gulf News. Sign up for our daily busines»»»

What began as a closer look at popular biryani restaurant chains in Hyderabad has snowballed into what could be one of the biggest alleged tax suppression cases in India’s food and beverage sector. According to a report by The Times of India, an in-depth probe by the Income Tax department’s Hyderab»»»

Dubai: The Philippine government has started distributing the first batch of long-delayed balikbayan boxes of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) as it commenced the final wave of deliveries. The initiative has been led by Department of Finance (DOF) secretary Frederick Go and Bureau of Customs (BOC) »»»

Dubai: For Nibin Mathew, a 36-year-old engineer who relocated from Kerala to Abu Dhabi six years ago, a single phone call changed everything. Having joined Big Ticket just five months prior after hearing about it from a friend, Nibin participated as part of a group and walked away with a winning pr»»»

The company is present in seven international markets and estimates a sales increase of approximately 30% for 2026, supported by international expansion and the development of integrated energy charging and storage solutions. The year 2025 marked a period of adjustment for the electric mobility mar»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a battery of huge nuclear-capable rocket launchers ahead of a key congress of the nation's ruling party, state media said Thursday. Kim is expected to detail the next phase in North Korea's nuclear weapons program when he opens a rare congress of the rul»»»

Developed as a gated residential community on a plot of over five hectares, THE IVY has become one of the most desired residential projects in northern Bucharest, offering a mix of facilities dedicated to everyday life, lush green spaces, pedestrian walkways, and a children’s playground. The projec»»»

As the toy industry gathered in New York City recently for its marquee annual convention, the head of one small company stood out from the crowd, greeted by fellow business owners like a minor celebrity. Rick Woldenberg, the chief executive of Learning Resources, helped make headlines last year, wh»»»

Depop, the second-hand clothing app that has skyrocketed in popularity among Gen Z shoppers, is being sold to eBay for $1.2bn (£890m). Etsy, the online platform, is offloading Depop just five years after it bought the business - which was founded in the UK - for $1.6bn. eBay is hoping that the deal»»»

Oil prices rose on Thursday as the US and Iran attempted to ease a standoff in talks over Tehran's nuclear program while both sides heightened military activity in the key oil-producing region. Brent futures climbed 23 cents, or 0.3% to $70.58 a barrel by 0735 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate »»»

Turkish crime baron Cetin Goren was the owner of a record European haul of almost 10 tonnes of cocaine seized last month by the Spanish police, Turkey’s newly-appointed justice minister Akin Gurlek said on February 13 in remarks made during his first televised interview as minister. »»»

Turkish crime baron Cetin Goren was the owner of a record European haul of almost 10 tonnes of cocaine seized last month by the Spanish police, Turkey’s newly-appointed justice minister Akin Gurlek said on February 13 in remarks made during his first televised interview as minister. »»»

The new head of the Department of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) for Osh and Osh region was officially introduced in the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan. Zhoomart Toktogulov has been appointed to the post. Photo Zhoomart Toktogulov The ceremony took place in the conference room of »»»

Dubai: Emirates NBD has launched its own branded silver bars, expanding its precious metals platform as demand rises among retail and high net worth investors seeking alternatives to traditional financial assets. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The new offering adds to»»»

Seoul, South Korea: A South Korean court sentenced ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol to life in prison on Thursday after finding him guilty of leading an insurrection with his martial law declaration in 2024. Yoon abruptly declared martial law in a televised address in December 2024, saying drastic measur»»»

Top national security officials have told Donald Trump the US military could be ready to launch strikes on Iran as early as Saturday, reports CBS News. However, the timeline could potentially stretch beyond the weekend. Trump hasn’t signed off on anything yet, the outlet cites unnamed officials as »»»

Romania is among the European Union member states with the highest real costs of natural gas when prices are adjusted for purchasing power, although at nominal level the prices do not seem high, according to an analysis by Dumitru Chisalita, chairman of the Smart Energy Association (AEI).The econom»»»

The development of the prosumer segment must be supported to cover own consumption, but its unlimited expansion generates significant costs in the market, of up to RON 372 for each MWh fed into the grid, costs that will ultimately be borne by consumers, Chairman of the Association of Energy Supplie»»»

Saudi Arabia’s Minister of Tourism, Ahmed Al-Khateeb, has toured hospitality facilities and visitor services in Madinah as part of the “Spirit of Ramadan” inspection tour, which also included Jeddah and Makkah. New data show visitor numbers exceeded 21 million over the past year, a 12 percent incre»»»

Hungary will halt fuel supplies to Ukraine and will only resume delivery once Ukraine restarts oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been out of service since the end of January, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced after a cabinet meeting on February 18. »»»

Hungary will halt fuel supplies to Ukraine and will only resume delivery once Ukraine restarts oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been out of service since the end of January, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced after a cabinet meeting on February 18. »»»

Hungary will halt fuel supplies to Ukraine and will only resume delivery once Ukraine restarts oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been out of service since the end of January, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced after a cabinet meeting on February 18. »»»

Hungary will halt fuel supplies to Ukraine and will only resume delivery once Ukraine restarts oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been out of service since the end of January, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced after a cabinet meeting on February 18. »»»

Hungary will halt fuel supplies to Ukraine and will only resume delivery once Ukraine restarts oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline, which has been out of service since the end of January, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto announced after a cabinet meeting on February 18. »»»

Baghdad - A promotional video produced by a local platform and sponsored by several companies has sparked widespread criticism in Iraq over content described as “irresponsible,” according to the Iraqi Writers and Authors Union, for allegedly insulting the “Greatest Arab Poet,” Muhammad Mahdi al-Jaw»»»

Vast stretches of a once-verdant acacia forest south of Sudan's capital Khartoum have been reduced to little more than fields of stumps as nearly three years of conflict have fueled deforestation. What was once a 1,500-hectare natural reserve has been "completely wiped out", Boushra Hamed, head of »»»

Romania will be Guest of Honour at the Frankfurt Book Fair 2028, the world's most important book fair and creative industries event, with a tradition spanning more than 500 years.According to a press release issued on Wednesday by the Ministry of Culture, this status marks Romania's entry into an i»»»

The 6th edition of the "Month of Romanian Sculptors", an event to be held February 19 - March 19, conceived under the aegis of the celebrations of the 150th birth anniversary of the great late artist Constantin Brancusi, takes place this year in several cities in Romania and also in Chisinau, Moldo»»»

Large-scale emigration has reduced Romania's resident population by around 2.3 million over the past two decades, yet the country is increasingly becoming an attractive destination for foreign workers, according to a study carried out by EY Romania.The report, "Migration at a Crossroads", analyses »»»

US President Donald Trump will preside over the first meeting of his Board of Peace on Thursday with unresolved questions on the future of Gaza hanging over an event expected to include representatives from more than 45 nations. The disarmament of Hamas militants, the size of the reconstruction fun»»»

Dubai: NutraONE, a nutraceutical and wellness distribution company, has announced an exclusive strategic distribution partnership with Nutrifactor Laboratories, one of the region's largest dietary supplement and nutraceutical manufacturer, to expand access to science led health and wellness supplem»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a large array of nuclear-capable rocket launchers ahead of a rare congress of the ruling Workers’ Party, signalling the next stage of the country’s nuclear weapons programme. North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a battery of large nuclear-capable»»»

A South Korean court on Thursday found ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of leading an insurrection for his short-lived attempt to impose martial law in December 2024, sentencing the former leader to life imprisonment. A South Korean court found ex-president Yoon Suk Yeol guilty of insurrectio»»»