Field commanders and activists from Iranian-backed Palestinian factions in Gaza warn of a potential “complete collapse” as a worsening financial crisis comes amid signs of a possible US strike on Tehran. Nearly two years of Israeli war in Gaza, along with strikes extending to Lebanon, Iran and part»»»

Doha: Qatar will host India on Friday at Lusail Hall in their opener of the second window of Group D in the Asian qualifiers for the 2027 FIBA Basketball World Cup in Qatar. The Qataris have three points from their opening two matches, having beaten Lebanon 86-83 away before losing narrowly 75-74 t»»»

The French presidency on Thursday named four new ministers including Catherine Pegard as the new culture minister in a mini-reshuffle. Pegard, a former magazine editor and head of Versailles palace, takes over from Rachida Dati, a conservative who left the post to campaign to become mayor of Paris »»»

Geneva: The State of Qatar reiterated its firm and supportive stance on the unity and territorial integrity of Sudan, and the right of its fraternal people to live in dignity, security and stability, and rejected any form of interference in its internal affairs, voicing deep concern over the contin»»»

The constant change of scenery in President Donald Trump’s America has trained observers not to overreact to each new sensation from across the Atlantic. Yesterday’s battles fade quickly, replaced by fresh headlines. Against that backdrop, it is tempting to dismiss Trump’s latest clash with the US »»»

World Economic Forum head Børge Brende said Thursday that he is stepping down after facing pressure over his contacts with the late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Brende, a former Norwegian foreign minister, said in a statement that he had decided “after careful consideration” to step down as pre»»»

World Economic Forum CEO and President Børge Brende, pictured here in 2014, has resigned upon completion of an independent investigation of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI | License Photo Feb. 26 (UPI) -- Børge Brende resigned his position as president and CEO of the Worl»»»

A loaded oil tanker tanker enters Matanzas Bay off Havana, Cuba, on February 16 and docks near the city’s energy logistics port amid ongoing U.S. energy sanctions on the island. Russia has been sending fuel considered to be aid. Photo By EPA Feb. 26 (UPI) -- The U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Contro»»»

The US Treasury Department proposed a rule on Thursday that, if finalized, would sever MBaer Merchant Bank AG's access to the US financial system on the grounds the Swiss bank had supported illicit actors linked to Iran and Russia. The Treasury alleged MBaer and its employees had facilitated corrup»»»

Cuba said on Thursday that 10 gunmen on a Florida-registered speed boat who opened fire on the Caribbean nation's coastguard had "intended to carry out an infiltration for the purposes of terrorism". The Cuban coastguard on Thursday said it killed four people and wounded six more on the vessel, whi»»»

In our ongoing weekly digest, award-winning journalist Veronika Munk summarises and explains the most important political developments in Hungary. We guide readers on the route to the key April 2026 election — a poll without precedent in the region over the past 15 years. This week, we cover: The p»»»

The UN expert on the Palestinian territories, Francesca Albanese, denounced on Thursday what she described as "toxic" attacks impacting her personal life and work, after a number of European states called for her resignation. In recent weeks Germany, France, Italy and others have called for Albanes»»»

Dubai: Iran and the United States held another round of indirect nuclear talks in Geneva on Thursday, as rising military tensions and a significant American force buildup in the Middle East cast a long shadow over diplomatic efforts. The Oman-mediated discussions, hosted at the Omani ambassador’s r»»»

Aramco announced Thursday major progress in its ambitious gas expansion strategy, with the start of production at Jafurah, the Middle East’s largest unconventional gas field, and the commencement of operations at Tanajib Gas Plant, one of the largest gas plants in the world. This will contribute to»»»

AMMAN — The Innovative Start ups and SMEs Fund (ISSF) on Thursday, participated in the Investors Summit organised by the Middle East Venture Capital Association (MEVCA) at the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM), according to an ISSF statement.ISSF CEO Mohammed Muhtaseb highlighted the pivotal role of s»»»

A complaint has been filed in Switzerland accusing Iranian deputy foreign minister Kazem Gharibabadi of crimes against humanity linked to anti-government protests in his country in recent years, lawyers said Thursday. The complaint, filed by an Iranian-Swiss citizen, said Gharibabadi "may have comm»»»

1 of 5 | Secret service personnel and local law enforcement prepare to do a security sweep of the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center where Bill and Hillary Clinton are to be deposed by the House Oversight Committee regarding the Epstein probe in Chappaqua, N.Y., Thursday. Former Secretary of State Hi»»»

Every day, Iranians go to stores and find prices rising. Some post photos on social media of the shrinking contents of their shopping carts as they struggle to buy enough basic staples for their families. The mounting cost of living is an extra weight bearing down as Iranians prepare for a possible»»»

A Tunisian court on Thursday rejected demands to suspend operations at a fertilizer factory, a lawyer told AFP, after thousands of protesters blamed the plant for a rise in health problems. The facility in the city of Gabes emits sulphur gases, nitrogen and fluorine, according to an audit last July»»»

Germany's government convened an emergency meeting of the organizers of the Berlin Film Festival on Thursday, saying it wanted to discuss the event's "direction" after debate and protests over Gaza dominated the programme. The Bild newspaper reported on Wednesday that the government's Commissioner »»»

Doha, Qatar: The National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) has received the Platinum rating under the Global Sustainability Assessment System (GSAS) Operations' sustainable green building certification system, further underscoring Qatar Museums' position as a global pioneer in sustainable cultural institutio»»»

Borge Brende, the president and CEO of the World Economic Forum, which organises the annual Davos summit, announced his resignation on Thursday, weeks after the forum launched an independent investigation into his links with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.  The president and CEO o»»»

Russia has accused the United States of irresponsibly stoking regional tensions over Iran, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying Moscow continues to see "unceasing threats" against Tehran on February 26. »»»

Russia has accused the United States of irresponsibly stoking regional tensions over Iran, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying Moscow continues to see "unceasing threats" against Tehran on February 26. »»»

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has announced early elections - hailing the next four years as "decisive" for her country. "We as Danes and as Europeans will really have to stand on our own feet," Frederiksen told parliament. "We need to define our relationship with the United States," she »»»

Dubai: The Supreme Court on Thursday directed the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) to disclose the “specific names” of all individuals involved in drafting and approving a controversial Class 8 Social Science textbook chapter that refers to corruption in the judiciary, »»»

Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) member and Governor of Yemen's eastern Hadramout province Salem al-Khanbashi says he believes that “Hadramout triumphed for itself,” and that what took place there in December 2025 and early January 2026 marked a decisive moment in which Hadhramis reclaimed the»»»

Iceland will in the coming months hold a referendum on ​joining ‌the European ⁠Union, Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir told a ‌press conference in Poland. Iceland in 2013 abandoned EU membership talks ​after four years of negotiations, ​but a rise ​in the cost of living and ​the ongoing war in »»»

Turkish industry has begun 2026 under significant strain. Port cargo volumes have suffered one of the steepest January declines seen in recent years, business daily Ekonomi has reported. According to data from th»»»

Oil and gas revenues will account for less than 20% of Russia's budget this year, Finance Minister Anton Siluanov told the Duma on February 26, as oil prices tumble and sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet become more effective. »»»

Russian Finance Minister Anton Sulianov was speaking to the Duma yesterday and announced a pretty radical new direction. What he's proposing to do is to move the budget away from its traditional addiction to oil and gas export revenue and make Russia a consumption-based economy, (with a useful, but»»»

Sofia Mayor Vasil Terziev said he expects a strike in the capital’s public transport system during the “election window,” speaking at a briefing at the Sofia Municipal Council here on Thursday. However, Socialist Municipal Councillor and trade unionist Ivan Kirilov denied such claims, explaining th»»»

Syrian government forces and Druze militiamen who control areas in the southern Sweida province on Thursday exchanged prisoners taken in clashes last summer, a rare step toward a possible political resolution of simmering tensions in the country. The exchange was the first major sign of progress in»»»

Dubai: As US forces mass across the Middle East, Iran is staring at the threat of major American strikes that could target its leadership, military command structure, nuclear sites and critical infrastructure — a showdown Tehran would almost certainly lose in conventional terms, but one that could »»»

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Caribbean leaders on Wednesday that the removal of Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro has improved regional stability, despite objections over its legality. Speaking at a summit in St Kitts and Nevis, he urged closer cooperation while tensions persist over Cuba, migra»»»

Democrats on Wednesday (February 25) accused US President Donald Trump's administration of the "largest government cover-up in modern history" over reports that it withheld documents relating to allegations that the Republican leader sexually abused a minor.»»»

PRESS REVIEW – Thursday, February 26: We look at reactions from the Indian and Israeli press after Narendra Modi's speech to the Israeli parliament. His visit is controversial back home. Also: the Berlin Film Festival's future leadership is in jeopardy after a film director's anti-Israel speec»»»

In tonight's edition: Senegalese Prime Minister Ousmane Sonko announces revamped legislation set to double the maximum penalty for same-sex relations to 10 years in prison. But first: Washington is set to cut health aid to Zimbabwe after negotiations over a US-proposed funding deal break down. And »»»

Washington is moving to wind down health assistance to Zimbabwe after negotiations over a US-proposed funding deal broke down. A requirement for Zimbabwe to share sensitive health data triggered the collapse. FRANCE 24's Sharon Mazingaizo tells us more.»»»

JERUSALEM India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said that Israel and India agreed there was “no place for terrorism in the world”, as he wrapped up a two-day visit aimed at strengthening ties with Israel. The trip, which has drawn criticism at home, marks Modi’s second visit to Israel as»»»

In 2025, for the first time since the Great Depression, the US experienced negative net migration, according to analysis by The Wall Street Journal and a Brookings Institution report. There was a significant drop-off in entries to the US in 2025 relative to 2024.2025 net migration was estimated bet»»»

According to an internal analysis of consumer behavior in February, the two celebrations showed different ordering patterns: on February 14, most orders were placed between 9:00 PM and 11:00 PM, while February 24 recorded a peak at lunchtime and in the early evening. On both days, fast-food restaur»»»

A recent sociological survey conducted by the Center for Analysis and Marketing (CAM) in February indicates that five parties are likely to secure seats in Bulgaria’s next parliament. According to the study, these parties are Rumen Radev’s formation, GERB, WCC-DB, DPS-New Beginning, and “Revival.” »»»

Real Madrid are through to the next round of the Champions League but, once again, the biggest talking point was not the football. A 2-1 win over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabeu sealed a 3-1 aggregate victory. Arbeloa’s side had already done the hard work in Lisbon with a 1-0 win at the Estadio da»»»

According to a survey of the Center for Analysis and Marketing, about 68% of Bulgarian residents are expected to vote at the elections on April 19, and the National Assembly is likely to be comprised of five political formations. The data were presented by Center for Analysis and Marketing Director»»»

Dubai Police’s traditional Iftar Cannon has once again become a major community attraction during the holy month of Ramadan, drawing large crowds of residents and visitors who gather daily to witness one of the UAE’s most cherished traditions. Families have been flocking to fixed and mobile cannon »»»

With the background of the continuation of the political split between Libya’s western and eastern based regimes with elections seemingly a world away, the black-market foreign exchange rate of the Libyan dinar plunging to over the LD 10.50 rate per dollar causing prices to spike, and the CBL and H»»»

A Greek Orthodox priest went on trial in Thessaloniki Thursday accused of allegedly defrauding members of his flock out of at least €1.3 million in donations that would supposedly have helped him to jockey for power within the Church. The 70-year-old cleric, who had been stationed at the city’s chu»»»

"We used to eat out twice a month," says Marjan, who lives in Iran's second largest city, Isfahan. "Now we just can't. We have to save that money to pay the rent." For the last six years, she had been selling wooden crafts and keyrings through a page on Instagram - one of hundreds of thousands of I»»»

New Delhi: In a major relief for air travellers, India’s aviation regulator has introduced a 48-hour “look-in” period allowing passengers to cancel or amend tickets without paying additional charges, while also tightening refund timelines and easing name correction rules. The Directorate General of»»»