Romania’s central bank tweaks inflation outlook
Romania’s central bank slightly revised its inflation forecast (chart) in the Inflation Outlook published on February 18, maintaining the overall projected trajectory while raising the year-end inflation estimate to 3.9%, from 3.7% previously. »»»
China boosts marine protection in bid to lead global ocean governance - UPI.com
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»»»
Ex-Speaker Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu announces resignation as MP - | 24.KG
Former Speaker of the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) Nurlanbek Turgunbek uulu has announced his early resignation as a member of Parliament. He published the statement on Facebook. In his address, the ex-speaker congratulated Kyrgyzstanis on the beginning of the fasting month and wished the country p»»»
BCAI launches Khwarizmi Chain to revolutionise blockchain, AI integration across industries
Dubai: Blockchain for Innovation & AI (BCAI), a UAE-based research and strategic consultancy, has announced the launch and expansion of Khwarizmi Chain, a cutting-edge digital infrastructure ecosystem designed to help enterprises, institutions, and governments digitise real-world processes using bl»»»
Kerala reacts: The Kerala Story 2 trailer sparks social media storm and political backlash: Outrage explained
Dubai: The controversial trailer of Hindi-language film The Kerala Story 2: Goes Beyond has dropped and it's as provocative and polarising as its first instalment. The movie, which deals with forced religious conversions, has understandably set social media on fire and activated the meme/troll army»»»
Romanian investors diversify beyond Big Tech as capital rotates to energy and industry – Investimental
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»»»
UK dismisses claims UAE armed Sudan’s RSF
Abu Dhabi: UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has dismissed allegations that the UAE supplied weapons to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), citing verified data from international review and compliance mechanisms designed to ensure that arms do not reach parties involved in the Sudan conflict. Speaki»»»
Caretaker PM Gurov: Cabinet Follows Rules, Not Retaliation
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov said on Thursday that the caretaker government would follow rules rather than pursue retaliation. He spoke at the handover ceremony in the Council of Ministers’ Granite Hall after Gurov and his cabinet took the oath earlier in the day before the National Assemb»»»
Syrian National Sentenced to Four Years in Prison for Sexual Crime
On charges brought by the Sofia District Prosecution Office, a 37-year-old Syrian national has been imprisoned for committing acts with the aim of satisfying sexual desire without intercourse and for taking a sum of money amounting to BGN 50, the prosecution service said Thursday. On September 6, 2»»»
State hospitals face disruptions from planned strikes
State hospitals face disruptions in coming weeks with staff planning strikes in March to press for salary increases, while doctors are also due to walk off the job to protest changes in their military service, unions said Thursday. The state hospital staff union said that on March 19 its members wo»»»
Rubio to visit Israel on February 28 amid Iran tensions
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»»»
Without Palestinian State, There Will Be No Peace, Stability in Middle East – Lavrov
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia is convinced that without a Palestinian state, there will be no peace or stability in the Middle East, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "It is our firm belief that there will be no stability or calm there without a Palestinian state," Lavrov told Al Arabia broa»»»
Egyptian-Turkish Military Talks Focus on Strengthening Partnership
Senior Egyptian and Turkish air force commanders met in Cairo on Wednesday for talks focused on strengthening military partnership and expanding bilateral cooperation, in the latest sign of warming defense ties between the two countries. The meeting brought together the Commander of the Egyptian Ai»»»
UN Says Israeli Actions Raising 'Ethnic Cleansing' Fears in West Bank, Gaza
Israel's increased attacks and forcible transfers of Palestinians "raise concerns over ethnic cleansing" in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the United Nations said Thursday. The UN human rights office said the cumulative impact of Israel's military conduct during the war in Gaza, plus its blockad»»»
US official confident China shook Kazakhstan with underground nuclear weapons test
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 »»»
South Korea's impeached ex-president receives life sentence
A court in Seoul has determined that Yoon Suk Yeol's failed effort to implement martial law in 2024 while president constituted incitement of an insurrection. According to Yonhap News Agency, the ruling was issued by the Seoul Central District Court, which is the first judicial ruling in the case. »»»
US official confident China shook Kazakhstan with underground nuclear weapons test
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 »»»
Applications open for 2026 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards in UAE
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),»»»
From Thailand to Qatar: Mrabbosi’s cross-continental bicycle adventure
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»»»
MRF – New Beginning Will Not Support "Those Who Harmed Bulgaria’s Children", Floor Leader Says
Movement for Rights and Freedoms (MRF) – New Beginning Floor Leader Delyan Peevski gave a statement for the party's press center on Thursday that they do not support the oath of office of the "Iotova-Soros-Petrohan" caretaker Cabinet. According to him, this is not an oath of "servants of the people»»»
CIA Knew at Early Stage of Terrorists' Plans to Blow Up Nord Stream Pipelines - Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The CIA was aware at an early stage of the terrorists' plans to blow up the Nord Stream pipelines, the German newspaper Spiegel reported on Thursday, citing sources. The Nord Stream and Nord Stream 2 gas pipelines were hit by explosions in September 2022. Germany, Denmark and Swe»»»
Georgia Arrests Two Foreigners Trying to Purchase Uranium
Georgia has detained two people who attempted to purchase $3 million worth of uranium and a cache of a radioactive isotope found in nuclear weapons testing programs, the national security service said on Thursday. Two foreign nationals from unspecified countries were arrested in the city of Kutais»»»
Former South Korean President Yoon Receives Life Sentence for Imposing Martial Law
Former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life in prison for his brief imposition of martial law in a dramatic culmination to the country’s biggest political crisis in decades. Yoon was ousted from office after a baffling attempt to overcome an opposition-controlled legislature b»»»
RNC sues to block Democratic-backed Virginia redistricting referendum - UPI.com
Virginians cast their ballots at Robious Elementary School in Midlothian, VA on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. The Republican National Committee on Wednesday filed a lawsuit to block a referendum on an amendment that if approved by the state's voters would allow lawmakers to redraw Virginia's congressi»»»
OFWs warned against unaccredited Philippine schools abroad
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»»»
AI Summit photo op fails to unite CEOs
New Delhi, India: Tech bro rivalry is real, or at least it is for Sam Altman and Dario Amodei, the CEOs of two leading US artificial intelligence startups. A video of the pair at a global AI summit in New Delhi on Thursday rapidly spread on social media after the former colleagues awkwardly refused»»»
Next Round of Talks on Ukraine Planned to Be Held in Geneva Again - Source
GENEVA (Sputnik) - The next round of negotiations on Ukraine is planned to be held again in Geneva, a source told Sputnik on Thursday. "They plan to return [to Geneva]," the source said. Volodymyr Zelensky also said that the next meeting will take place in Switzerland. "The next meeting will be als»»»
Bill Gates Cancels AI Summit Keynote Amid Epstein Allegations - Reports
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - US billionaire and Microsoft founder Bill Gates has canceled his keynote speech at an artificial intelligence summit in India amid allegations of ties to infamous late financier Jeffrey Epstein, CNN reported on Thursday, citing a statement from the Gates' foundation. "After caref»»»
SkyTower Bucharest secures new leases and extensions of over 9.000 sqm
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»»»
UK Condemns 10-year Sentence for British Couple in Iran
British foreign minister Yvette Cooper on Thursday condemned as "totally unjustifiable" the 10-year sentence given to a British couple in Iran for spying, saying the government would continue to press for their release. Craig and Lindsay Foreman had been charged with espionage after Iran accused th»»»
Former South Korean President Yoon sentenced to life for insurrection - UPI.com
1 of 7 | Former President Yoon Suk Yeol was sentenced to life imprisonment on insurrection charges Thursday. In this September 26 photo, Yoon attends the first hearing of his second trial on martial law-related charges. File Pool Photo by Yonhap/EPA SEOUL, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- A South Korean court on T»»»
Toxic gas leak at mine in Nigeria kills 37 people
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»»»
Outgoing PM Zhelyazkov: History Remembers Decision-Makers
Speaking at the government handover ceremony in Sofia on Thursday, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov said: "History does not necessarily remember those who held grand titles and offices, but it always remembers those who made decisions when they had to be made." Earlier in the day, the incom»»»
US Tankers and Cargo Planes Spotted in Bulgaria as Tensions With Iran Intensify
A notable presence of US military aircraft has been observed at Terminal 1 of Sofia Airport in Bulgaria, according to former Deputy Foreign Minister and security analyst Milen Keremedchiev. In a post on Facebook, he reported that seven US Air Force tanker aircraft, used for aerial refueling of comb»»»
Bulgaria: GERB Prepares Leadership Shake-Up Ahead of Elections
GERB is set to hold a reporting and election national assembly on March 22 in Sofia, marking the start of the campaign for the early parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19. The party announced the upcoming congress in newspapers on Friday, highlighting that the agenda will focus on electing»»»
130 travellers left waiting overnight after technical issue changes aircraft
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»»»
Biryani trail exposes Rs700 billion restaurant tax scam in India
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»»»
Relief for OFWs as Philippines begins final wave of balikbayan box deliveries
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) »»»
Stranded after Canada setback, man kills ex-wife in Hyderabad
Dubai: A man allegedly stabbed his former wife to death at her residence in Hyderabad after months of resentment over a domestic violence case that, according to police, had upended his life and prevented him from returning to Canada. Police said the accused, who is in his 30s, barged into the woma»»»
Indian expat wins Dh50,000 Big Ticket Abu Dhabi draw 2026
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»»»
TISP Floor Leader Links Caretaker Cabinet to Petrohan Case
There Is Such a People (TISP) Floor Leader Toshko Yordanov linked Thursday the caretaker cabinet of prime minister-designate Andrey Gurov, which later in the day took the oath of office on Thursday, to the so-called Petrohan case that has shaken the country in recent weeks. Reading a declaration on»»»
Former PM Zhelyazkov, 11 Ex-Ministers Return to Parliament as MPs
Former Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and eleven ministers from his cabinet have returned to the National Assembly as Members of Parliament. They were part of the 51st National Assembly before being appointed to executive office. National Assembly Chair Raya Nazaryan announced on Thursday that, fo»»»
Deutsche Welle to axe Greek radio service amid funding cuts
Germany’s state-funded Deutsche Welle broadcaster says it will close its decades-old Greek language radio service, admired for its independent coverage during the 1967-74 dictatorship, citing budget cuts and Greece’s status as “a stable democracy with a diverse media landscape.” The decision announ»»»
Iran, US lean into gunboat diplomacy as nuclear talks hang in balance
Iran and the United States leaned into gunboat diplomacy Thursday as nuclear talks between the nations hung in the balance, with Tehran holding drills with Russia and the Americans bringing another aircraft carrier closer to the Mideast. The Iranian drill and the arrival of the USS Gerald R. Ford a»»»
LEKTRI.CO ends 2025 with a turnover of RON 12 million, up by 33%
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»»»
Oath Taken: New Caretaker Cabinet Takes Over in Bulgaria, Focus on Elections, Budget Stability and Rule of Law
The caretaker government headed by Andrey Gyurov officially entered office after taking the oath before the National Assembly in the presence of President Iliana Yotova. Gyurov and the ministers pledged to observe the Constitution and the law, declaring that all their actions would be guided by the»»»
N. Korea Flexes Nuclear-capable Rocket Launcher Ahead of Key Congress
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»»»
Iran Says No Country Can Deprive it of Enrichment Rights
Iran's atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami said no country can deprive the Iranian republic of its right to nuclear enrichment, after US President Donald Trump again hinted at military action following talks in Geneva. "The basis of the nuclear industry is enrichment. Whatever you want to do in the»»»
Kyrgyzstan and Saudi Arabia discuss 2nd phase of school construction project - | 24.KG
Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing, and Communal Services of Kyrgyzstan Nurdan Oruntaev paid a working visit to Riyadh as part of Construction of Public Schools (Phase II) project. On February 18, the meeting was attended by Ulugbek Maripov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary»»»