Martin Short's daughter Katherine dies at 42
Canadian actor Martin Short has said his daughter Katherine "will be remembered for the light and joy she brought into the world" following her death at the age of 42. Katherine Short was a social worker, US media reported, and the eldest of three children her father adopted with actress and singer»»»
Entrepreneur Raul Țărnaru acquires 80% stake in Novarion DMX Construction, eyes listing on Bucharest Stock Exchange
Novarion DMX Construction, a Sibiu-based company with over 11 years of experience in construction and general contracting and a portfolio of 150,000 square meters built, announces the entry of Novarion Holding SRL into its shareholding structure. The company, controlled by entrepreneur Raul Țărnaru»»»
Iran Dismisses Missile, Nuclear Claims After Trump Alleges ‘Sinister Ambitions’
Iran on Wednesday dismissed US claims about its missile program as "big lies", after President Donald Trump said Tehran was developing missiles that could strike the United States. In his State of the Union address on Tuesday, Trump accused Tehran of "sinister nuclear ambitions" as Washington ups t»»»
UAE Central Bank launches world’s first sovereign financial cloud platform
Dubai: The Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE) has partnered with Core42, a G42 company, to develop what it describes as the world’s first sovereign financial cloud services infrastructure dedicated to the financial sector. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The new platform,»»»
UAE Lottery announces Indian expat as first Dh5 million winner
Dubai: The UAE Lottery on Wednesday revealed the full identity of its first-ever winner of the Dh5 million second prize in the new format of the Lucky Day draw launched in December 2025 with a Dh30 million jackpot. Indian expat Murugananth Govinthan was announced as the winner of the life changing »»»
National Investment Agency received 26 complaints from investors in 2025 - | 24.KG
From the approval of the Procedure for Handling Investor Complaints on January 28, 2022 to January 2026, the National Investment Agency received 63 complaints. At least 61 complaints were reviewed, 35 complaints from 2022 to 2024, and 24 complaints for 12 months of 2025, including two complaints ca»»»
CC-DB Says Putin Has Failed in Ukraine and Bulgaria Has Chosen the Right Side of History
Russian President Vladimir Putin has failed to achieve any of his objectives in Ukraine, and Bulgaria has stood on the right side of history, Continue the Change – Democratic Bulgaria (CC-DB) said in a declaration marking four years since Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. The statement »»»
Israel Committed Two-Thirds of Record Press Killings in 2025, Says CPJ
A record 129 journalists and media workers were killed worldwide in 2025, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday, blaming Israel for two-thirds of the deaths. It was the second consecutive annual record for press deaths and the deadliest year since the CPJ began collecting data more th»»»
Harry and Meghan arrive in Middle East for summit on refugees' needs
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex have arrived in the Middle East for their first international trip together in 18 months. Prince Harry and Meghan will spend two days visiting Jordan to highlight efforts to support vulnerable communities affected by conflict and displacement. The couple, who stepped »»»
Industrial AI: Germany's best chance to take on US, China?
TradeGermanyIndustrial AI: Germany's best chance to take on US, China?Nik MartinGermany is already harnessing AI for smarter production — with virtual factories, robot fleets and its newly launched Industrial AI Cloud. Can this edge overcome stagnation and let the country truly take on its rivals? »»»
Parliament approves candidacies of two new Cabinet members - | 24.KG
At its meeting, Parliament of Kyrgyzstan approved the candidacies of two new Cabinet members. Deputies supported the government’s decision to appoint Erlist Akunbekov as Acting Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers — Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry. The new h»»»
GERB-UDF Says Support for Ukraine Is Investment in Europe’s Security
According to a declaration by GERB-UDF, presented by MP Georg Georgiev on Wednesday, support for Ukraine is not an act of momentary solidarity but a strategic investment in Europe’s security and in preserving the international order. Georgiev marked four years since the start of the Russian Federat»»»
Russia's FSB Says Thwarts Ukraine-Planned Attack on Military Airfield in Krasnodar Territory
KRASNODAR, Russia (Sputnik) - The office of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) in the Krasnodar Territory said on Wednesday that it had prevented a terrorist attack on a military airfield in the region, adding that a man planned to set fire to a plane on the Ukrainian special services' inst»»»
Gold Gains on Softer Dollar, Safe Haven Bid amid US Tariff Uncertainty
Gold prices rose on Wednesday, lifted by a softer dollar and heightened safe-haven demand amid uncertainty over US tariffs and rising friction between Washington and Tehran. Spot gold rose 0.8% to $5,190.99 per ounce, as of 0841 GMT. US gold futures for April delivery were up 0.7% at $5,210.40. The»»»
Germany Wants Deeper, Fairer Economic Ties with China, Merz Tells Li
China and Germany want to deepen cooperation, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Chinese Premier Li Qiang said in Beijing on Wednesday, as Merz began a visit aimed at resetting ties amid a widening trade imbalance. Merz told Li that Germany attached great importance on maintaining and deepening i»»»
Bomb Threat Against Australia PM Linked to Banned Chinese Dance Group
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Wednesday he did not take his security for granted, after he was evacuated from his residence for several hours following a bomb threat sent to a Chinese dance group. Albanese was evacuated from his residence in Canberra late on Tuesday following t»»»
U.S., South Korea to start large-scale joint military drills Mar. 9 - UPI.com
Colonel Jang Do-young (L), public affairs director of South Korea Joint Chiefs of Staff, and Colonel Ryan Donald (R), public affairs director of U.S. Forces Korea, pose for a photo during a press briefing on the 2026 Freedom Shield military exercise at the Defense Ministry in Seoul on Wednesday. Po»»»
This new Spotify product promises music beyond the grave
Dubai: Music may follow you everywhere in life. Spotify now wants it to follow you into the afterlife. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The streaming giant has partnered with beverage brand Liquid Death to launch what they describe as the world’s first music-streaming u»»»
Trump on Iran: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Trump on Iran: I will never allow the world’s number one sponsor of terror to have a nuclear weapon 25-02-2026 10:48 AM Latest News Urgent »»»
Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Journalist killings reached a record high in 2025 — the deadliest year in three decades - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ): Journalist killings reached a record high in 2025 — the deadliest year in three decades 25-02-2026 »»»
Dh2 books, 95% off: Big Bad Wolf Ramadan sale returns to Dubai this Thursday
On the ninth day of Ramadan, the Big Bad Wolf (BBW) Books sale is set to open in Dubai Studio City’s Sound Stage, offering readers and families an extensive selection of books at affordable prices. The 11-day sale, starting Thursday and held in partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority and Dubai »»»
Osh Mayor Zhanarbek Akayev announces Green City course - | 24.KG
Mayor of the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan, Zhanarbek Akayev, unveiled large-scale plans for greening and urban improvement. During an inspection tour of city areas, he emphasized that the main priority for 2026 will be the creation of a «green, clean, and comfortable» Osh, the Osh City Hall repor»»»
From picking tomatoes to neurosurgery: The Mexican-American migrant farm worker who became a world-class surgeon
Dubai: Beneath the cold blaze of surgical lights, a patient lies open-eyed and conscious whilst a surgeon navigates the most complex structure known to science - the human brain. Electrodes map neural pathways in real time, a theatre of clinicians works in near-silence and the patient, feels nothin»»»
Illegal Athens mosque shuttered
Authorities have shuttered an unlicensed mosque in the Agios Panteleimonas neighborhood in Athens following orders from Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris. The facility, located at the intersection of Fylis and Folegandrou streets, was found to be operating without legal permits. Police a»»»
India's Modi makes second official visit to Israel to meet with Netanyahu
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was expected in Israel on Wednesday for a two-day visit focusing on strengthening security, economic and technological cooperation between the two countries. Modi has said he would hold talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herz»»»
Hungarian-Ukrainian Citizen Forcibly Mobilized Into Ukrainian Army - Russian Military
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Ukraine's military commissars forcibly drafted and sent a Hungarian-Ukrainian citizen to the front lines, where he later surrendered to Russian forces near Pokrovsk (Krasnoarmeysk), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday. "Prisoner of war Albert Roman from the 14th Brigad»»»
Saudi Arabia Leads Region in Women’s Empowerment, Records Strongest Global Progress
Saudi Arabia has ranked first in the Middle East for women’s empowerment and recorded the highest global improvement in supportive frameworks, according to the World Bank’s Women, Business and the Law 2026 report. The Kingdom posted the largest increase in points worldwide in the “supportive framew»»»
Japan Demands Swift Release of National Detained in Iran
The Japanese government demanded the swift release of one of its citizens detained in Iran for over a month on Wednesday, without providing further details of the case. The person was detained on January 20 and the government has been in touch with the family and the Iranian authorities, Deputy»»»
PM Gurov Says Intimidation Operation Has Been Launched against Interior Minister
At the start of the government meeting on Wednesday, caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said that an intimidation operation had been launched against Interior Minister Emil Dechev. “An intimidation operation has been launched against the Interior Minister. When a minister begins to rid the Inter»»»
President Kais Saied vows zero tolerance for corruption during field visits in Tunis (update)
Tunis, Feb 25 (TAP) - President Kais Saïed paid a visit on Tuesday afternoon to the headquarters of the Ellouhoum company in El Ouardia.During this visit, the Head of State inquired about the conduct of activities at this company, which had been...»»»
German leader arrives in China to press for fair trade and help ending Ukraine war
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is meeting China's top leaders Wednesday at the start of a whirlwind two-day visit to press for a fair economic playing field for German companies, and China's assistance in bringing about an end to Russia's four-year-old war in Ukraine. The German leader's plane to»»»
Community spirit shines at Bab Al Shams Ramadan gathering
Dubai: A new day filled with mercy and forgiveness unfolded during the Holy Month of Ramadan at Bab Al Shams Desert Resort, where community and collaboration took centre stage. The gathering brought together teams from Dubai Police General Headquarters, represented by the General Department of Comm»»»
Qatar Museums secures international recognition for three Qatari heritage sites on the ICESCO Heritage List
Doha, Qatar: Qatar Museums has announced the successful inscription of a further three significant Qatari heritage sites on the Heritage List of the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (ICESCO), reflecting Qatar’s sustained commitment to preserving, promoting, and sharin»»»
To postpone, or not to postpone: that is the question
As Lebanon prepares for its parliamentary elections, reports say the country is under pressure to postpone the juncture. A report published Tuesday in pro-Hezbollah al-Akhbar newspaper said the United States, Saudi Arabia, and France are pressuring Lebanon to postpone the elections for at least one»»»
Quint meets in Cairo in preparation for Paris' army support conference
Egypt on Tuesday urged the international community to better support Lebanon's armed forces to ensure that all weapons in the country come under the exclusive authority of the state. Speaking at a preparatory meeting in Cairo ahead of next month's Paris conference in support of the Lebanese Army, E»»»
Sadyr Japarov meets with Special Representative of Russian President Shvydkoy - | 24.KG
President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov met with Mikhail Shvydkoy, Special Representative of the Russian President for International Cultural Cooperation. The two sides discussed prospects for developing Kyrgyzstan — Russia relations in the cultural and humanitarian spheres and upcoming joint initiat»»»
Two Bears Arrive in Sofia from Argentina en Route to New Home in Rila Sanctuary
Two bears from an Argentinian zoo have just arrived in Sofia by air en route to their new home in the Belitsa bear sanctuary in the southern Rila mountain. Gordo and Florence have lived in the Lujan zoo. Landing in Sofia, Gordo and Florencia became the first bears ever flown from South America to S»»»
EU launches 21st edition of Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of Press
The European Union and Samir Kassir Foundation launched Wednesday the 21st edition of the Samir Kassir Award for Freedom of the Press. The award, which has been granted by the European Union since 2006, honors the Lebanese journalist and writer Samir Kassir, who was assassinated in 2005. The compet»»»
Business Run 2026 to be held in Bishkek - | 24.KG
Business Run 2026, a large-scale corporate race bringing together entrepreneurs, company executives, and business teams from across the country, will take place on April 26 in Adinai Park. The event is organized by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic. Business Run is positio»»»
Bihar wedding turns violent as bride shot by alleged ex-lover
A wedding celebration in Bihar’s Buxar district turned into a shocking incident on Tuesday night after a bride was shot at point-blank range on stage, allegedly by a former partner, according to local media reports. The victim, 18-year-old Aarti Kumari, was undergoing the jaimala ritual (the tradit»»»
Rene Karabash’s "She Who Remains" Makes International Booker Longlist, Marking Second Bulgarian Nomination
Rene Karabash’s novel She Who Remains has been selected for the longlist of the International Booker Prize, according to information published on the award’s official website and cited by BTA. This marks the second time a Bulgarian novel has reached this stage of the prestigious competition, follow»»»
Earth tremor of 2.9 on Richter scale recorded in Kettana, Gabes
Tunis, Feb 25 (TAP) - An earth tremor measuring 2.9 on the Richter scale (which ranges up to 9) was recorded on Wednesday at 05:24 (local time) east of Kettana (Gabes Governorate).The tremor was felt by the locals, according to the National...»»»
GCC, India Launch Free Trade Agreement Negotiations
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and India have formally launched negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), in a move officials described as a new chapter in their strategic partnership. GCC Secretary-General Jasem Albudaiwi and India’s Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal signed t»»»
Trump awards 2 Medals of Honor in State of the Union address - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Naval Capt. Elmer Royce Williams is presented the Congressional Medal of Honor by first lady Melania Trump as President Donald Trump delivers his State of the Union address during a joint session of Congress in the House Chamber at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, February»»»
German chancellor lands in Beijing for inaugural China trip
Germany's chancellor has touched down in China as German businesses sound the alarm about a yawning trade imbalance. Imports into Germany from China were more than double the value of those exported back last year – according to federal statistics. "We want a partnership with China that is balanced»»»
Six new schools to be built in Manas city - | 24.KG
The Ministry of Construction, Architecture, Housing, and Communal Services of Kyrgyzstan announced plans to build six new schools in Manas city. According to the ministry, the following facilities are planned: Minister of Construction Nurdan Oruntaev reviewed the design and estimate documentation f»»»
Ramadan in UAE: Can fasting without phones boost focus? – ‘scrolling isn’t restful’
Late-night prayers, suhoor alarms and shifting sleep routines are already testing residents’ energy levels this Ramadan. Now, doctors told Gulf News that excessive smartphone use after iftar may be quietly worsening fatigue, irritability and poor concentration during fasting hours. Blue light disru»»»
Floods expose longstanding challenges in managing the Evros river
The flooding now unfolding in the Evros region, which has inundated tens of thousands of acres of farmland, had been widely anticipated. Meteorologists had warned of heavy rainfall, while authorities in Bulgaria alerted Greece to the imminent overflow of dams and the arrival of massive water volume»»»
Interim PM Reaffirms Bulgaria’s Backing for Ukraine at “Coalition of the Willing” Talks
Bulgarian Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov joined a videoconference of leaders from the so-called “Coalition of the Willing,” marking his first appearance in this format since taking office. The meeting was co-hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron. During the tal»»»
Saudi Telecom Sector Solidifies Leadership with $28 Billion in Revenue in 2025
Saudi Arabia’s telecommunications sector has reaffirmed the strength of its operating model and growth potential, reporting a solid rise in combined revenues in 2025. The performance reflects continued customer growth and an expanding portfolio of digital solutions, underscoring the sector’s centra»»»