Japan media split on U.S. investment after tariff ruling - UPI.com
U.S. President Donald Trump attends a bilateral summit with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi at the State Guest House in Tokyo, on Tuesday, October 28, 2025. File. Photo via Prime Minister's Office of Japan/UPI | License Photo Feb. 22 (Asia Today) -- Major Japanese newspapers welcomed a U.S. »»»
Rubio Trip to Israel on Iran Tensions 'Subject to Change'
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio may push back a trip to Israel in which he is expected to speak to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about potential strikes on Iran, a US official said Monday. "Secretary Rubio is still planning to travel to Israel but the schedule remains subject to change," the »»»
Excessive consumption in Ramadan: balancing spiritual values, economic responsibility, environmental awareness
Doha, Qatar: The holy month of Ramadan represents an opportunity to promote values of moderation, balance, solidarity, and self-discipline. However, the month also witnesses a noticeable rise in consumption levels across several sectors, particularly food, energy, and water. Instead of being a mont»»»
ADJD approves new government notaries at creative media authority
The Abu Dhabi Judicial Department (ADJD) has accredited a group of government notaries at the Creative Media Authority, following the taking of the legal oath before Counsellor Yousef Saeed Al Abri, Undersecretary of the Department. The step aims to enhance the flexibility of notarial services and »»»
Photos Show Filming of Ramadan TV Drama Series on the War-scarred Streets of Syria's Aleppo
Ramadan in the Arab world is a month of fasting and prayer by day — and television by night. For decades, families have gathered after the iftar, the evening meal that breaks the daytime fast, to follow the season’s highly anticipated drama series, produced specially to air during the Islamic holy »»»
Ramadan: How many Rak’ahs should Taraweeh have?
Dubai: The UAE Council For FATWA has issued a new religious ruling clarifying the status, virtues and number of rak’ahs for Taraweeh prayers during the holy month of Ramadan, encouraging worshippers to maintain the practice as much as possible. In its statement, the Council said Taraweeh is a highl»»»
Sharjah intensifies inspections of factories and warehouses
In a proactive move to strengthen workplace safety standards, the Director General of the Sharjah Civil Defence Authority conducted an extensive inspection tour across several industrial areas in the emirate, visiting factories, warehouses and commercial establishments to assess compliance with app»»»
Ajman Police step up road safety drive for delivery riders
Ajman Police have stepped up road safety awareness efforts by organising a series of educational lectures for delivery motorcycle riders working with several private companies across the emirate. The initiative forms part of the main traffic campaign, “Towards a safe road for all its users,” and co»»»
Abu Dhabi Police issue safety guidelines as fog expected across UAE
Abu Dhabi Police have urged motorists to strictly follow traffic safety measures and reduce their speed to no more than 80 km/h when fog or poor visibility develops, as misty conditions are forecast to affect parts of the UAE in the coming days. The warning comes as the National Centre of Meteorolo»»»
Watchdogs say €650bn EU fund still ripe for fraud
The EU’s €650bn pandemic era fund remains wide open to fraud with weak accountability and oversight, according to financial watchdogs. “This vast sum of money offers huge potential scope for fraudulent activity,” says Katarína Kaszasová of the Luxembourg-based European Court of Auditors (ECA). Spea»»»
59 days to election: Hungary accused of cover-up at toxic Samsung battery plant, as sex-video smear targets opposition leader
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: An in»»»
‘Deregulation’ tops leaders’ retreat, but critics point to investment gap and corporate lobbying
Europe’s national leaders are meeting in a medieval castle in Belgium on Thursday (12 February) to discuss how to modernise. Europe’s economic and political system is predicated on openness and rules, built over decades, that are meant to ensure companies compete on a ‘level playing field’. But wit»»»
Why is the EU struggling to scale artificial intelligence?
When EU leaders met at a medieval castle this week to discuss how to ramp up Europe’s economic power, they were confronting a stark reality: Europe is lagging behind the innovation race with China and the US. In its 2026 competitiveness report, the European Commission admitted that Europe “risks lo»»»
From combat zone to the EU marketplace: the challenge for Ukraine’s farmers
“At the beginning of the full-scale war, we were most afraid of artillery,” says Vasyl Barninets, a manager at a large grain farm in the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine. “Now, the biggest fear is the drones.” “If we work close to the frontline, the staff have to put on bulletproof vests,” h»»»
Spain seeks probe into AI-generated child sexual abuse on TikTok, X and Meta
The Spanish government asked its public prosecutor on Tuesday (17 February) to investigate TikTok, X, and Meta for potentially spreading AI-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on their platforms.The move is an escalation in tension after the EU and national regulators stepped up scrutiny o»»»
EU top court new search tool dubbed a ‘disaster’ by lawyers
Hailed as a “new gateway to European justice”, the redesign of the main portal to access EU case law, InfoCuria, has drawn the ire of legal scholars from around Europe. “It’s a disaster,” one law professor wrote to EUobserver. A letter seen by EUobserver, dated 9 February, and signed by law practit»»»
MEPs delay vote on deportation bill to March amid return hubs dispute
Negotiations and divisions on the EU’s deportation bill remain entrenched among European lawmakers, ahead of a committee-level vote scheduled for 9 March. Malik Azmani, a Dutch liberal from the Renew Europe faction, is the lead MEP on the so-called returns regulation that seeks to make it easier to»»»
From a digital Wild West to strict age limits: do social-media bans actually protect teens?
Teenagers’ access to social media has emerged as a topic of concern among politicians, not just parents, as more and more countries in Europe (and beyond) consider social media bans. Spain, France, Denmark, Portugal, Germany, Greece, Austria, and others have either initiated or announced plans, or »»»
Orbán bashes Ukraine on Nord Stream, as Trump tells Hungarians how to vote
Sensational claims that Ukraine blew up a German gas pipeline are being thrown around by Hungary’s populist prime minister Viktor Orbán ahead of upcoming elections. “Ukraine is trying to ensure that Russian energy reaches Europe only on its terms. Nord Stream bypassed Ukraine, so it was destroyed,”»»»
The Caretaker Republic: How Bulgaria Learned to Govern Without Governing
Bulgaria has a constitution, a parliament, and a president. What it has struggled to maintain, with remarkable consistency over the past decade, is an actual functioning government. Since 2021 alone, the country has cycled through five caretaker cabinets, two of them led by the same man. By the tim»»»
Sheikh Qassem Says Path of Hezbollah’s Resistance is Clear: Defending the Land Our Rightful Duty
On the first anniversary of the solemn funeral of former Hezbollah secretary generals Sayyed Hasan Nasrallah and Sayyed Hashem Safieddine, the Lebanese group leader Sheikh Naim Qassem stressed that the “resistance endures, through its leadership, its fighters, and its people.” Sheikh Qassem’s remar»»»
Dubai: Indian expat lost friend, $60K to fake job – now his AI transforms hiring in UAE
It began with a tragedy that no amount of money could fix. For Indian expat Avinav Nigam, the journey into AI-driven recruitment didn't start in a boardroom, but in a hospital ward. It was born from the grief of losing a close friend to healthcare workforce shortages and the outrage of seeing his n»»»
Abu Dhabi teams contain blaze in Al Muzoon area
Abu Dhabi police and civil defence teams brought a warehouse fire under control on Monday morning, after it broke out in the Al Muzoon area of the capital, authorities said. The incident did not result in any injuries. Emergency crews responded immediately to contain the blaze and prevent it from s»»»
Awqaf Abu Dhabi pledges Dh100 Million to ‘Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans’ initiative
Dubai: The Endowments and Minors’ Funds Authority – Awqaf Abu Dhabi has contributed Dh100 million to support the ‘Mother of the Nation Endowment for Orphans’ initiative, as it remains committed to long-term social development and economic resilience in the UAE. Launched under the patronage of the P»»»
Boy skips school after fake explicit image spreads online
Dubai: A schoolboy refused to return to class after classmates circulated a fabricated explicit image of him online. Aisha Al Kendi, social worker and head of activities at the Awareness and Juvenile Care Association, said the incident reflects a troubling shift in youth behaviour driven by revenge»»»
Hungary blocks latest EU sanctions on Russia, $105B loan to Ukraine - UPI.com
European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas arrives for a Foreign Affairs Council meeting in Brussels on Monday. She vowed to find a solution to a threat by Hungary to veto the bloc's latest round of sanctions against Russia. Photo by Olivier Matthys/EPA F»»»
UAE issues electronic invoicing guidelines ahead of national rollout
Dubai: The Ministry of Finance has issued the UAE’s official Electronic Invoicing Guidelines, providing businesses with a detailed framework to prepare for the country’s upcoming national e-invoicing system. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The guidelines serve as a com»»»
UAE: Former Indian expat journalist and literary giant dies
Abu Dhabi: Members of the Indian expat community from Kerala have paid rich tributes to a former journalist and author in the UAE who died in the south Indian state on Monday at the age of 70. Born Erayath Jaleel, the veteran writer, known widely by his pen name Jaleel Ramanthaly, complained of che»»»
President of Balkan Federation of Apicultural Associations: Lack of Pasture, High Bee Mortality Among Main Problems of Beekeepers
Diseases, lack of natural pasture and high mortality among bees are among the main problems facing beekeepers, Assoc. Prof. Julian Stanchev, President of the Balkan Federation of Apicultural Associations (BFAA), told BTA on Monday. Stanchev, who is also the chair of the Regional Beekeepers' Union i»»»
Strait of Hormuz back in focus as Iran-US tensions rise: What’s at stake for oil
Dubai: The Strait of Hormuz has once again returned to the centre of global energy markets as renewed tensions between Iran and the United States raise the risk of disruption at the world’s most important oil chokepoint. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.In the latest up»»»
Ramadan 2026: 40 multilingual smart screens rolled out at Two Holy Mosques
Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Presidency of Religious Affairs at the Grand Mosque and the Prophet’s Mosque has deployed more than 40 multilingual interactive screens to disseminate trusted religious content during the holy month of Ramadan. Also Read: Hajj and Umrah Ministry issues step-by-step visit guide»»»
GERB Leader Borissov Names Three Sources of Influence in Caretaker Government
The caretaker government of Bulgaria, which took office on February 19, is a government of Assen Vassilev and his Continue the Change party, Ahmed Dogan and his Alliance for Rights and Freedoms, and former President Rumen Radev, said GERB leader Boyko Borissov on Monday in Stara Zagora, where he me»»»
Supreme Court decision against Trump tariffs raises uncertainty, but markets stay calm
The Supreme Court's ruling against U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs has countries like China and South Korea watching for Washington's next steps, while financial markets took the news in stride. The decision announced Friday could potentially disrupt arrangements worked out in trade negotiati»»»
Dubai Police hiring: Eight specialised roles now open
Dubai: Dubai Police has announced the opening of applications for eight specialised career opportunities exclusively for Emirati nationals, as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security readiness and attract qualified national talent to its workforce. The available positions include Protection »»»
South Korean farmers sue utility giant KEPCO over climate damage to crops - UPI.com
1 of 6 | Farmer Ma Yong-un, seen here in his apple orchard in November, is one of five plaintiffs in a landmark civil suit against state-owned utility KEPCO for climate-related agricultural damages. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI HAMYANG, South Korea, Feb. 23 (UPI) -- As harvest season approached last»»»
Dubai Police warn motorists as dense fog raises accident risks
Dubai Police have urged motorists to exercise heightened caution and reduce speed while driving in foggy conditions, warning that dense fog significantly reduces horizontal visibility and increases the likelihood of serious multi-vehicle collisions that can result in injuries, fatalities and major »»»
Ramadan delight: Dubai’s mobile Iftar cannon hits more neighbourhoods
Dubai Police’s Mobile Iftar Cannon, Al Rahal, is continuing its Ramadan tour across the emirate, bringing the spirit and traditions of the holy month closer to communities and visitors. (Click here for UAE Ramadan Prayer Timings 2026) The mobile cannon will stop at the Makan residential area in Hat»»»
UAE launches largest Ramadan 'food rescue' to combat waste
Abu Dhabi: In a landmark effort to fight food waste, ne’ma, the National Food Loss and Waste Initiative, is scaling up its ‘Valuing Our Roots’ campaign for Ramadan 2026, marking the largest nationwide food rescue operation in the UAE to date. The initiative will operate simultaneously across Abu Dh»»»
Romania sees slowdown in startup investments amid regional recalibration – report
Romanian startups attracted total investments of EUR 103.2 million in 2025 across 40 transactions, according to the Venture in Eastern Europe 2025 Report by How to Web, a study that analyses venture capital investments in Eastern Europe. The total investment volume in Romania was around 20% lower t»»»
Former top diplomat Vladislav Jovanovic dies aged 92
BELGRADE - Former FM and one-time ambassador to the UN Vladislav Jovanovic died on Saturday at the age of 92, his family has announced. Born in Zitni Potok, southern Serbia, in 1933, Jovanovic graduated from a grammar school in Belgrade in 1951 and went on to obtain a degree from the Belgrade Facul»»»
Djedovic Handanovic, Rosatom director general discuss cooperation in nuclear power sector
BELGRADE - Serbian Minister of Mining and Energy Dubravka Djedovic Handanovic met on Monday with a delegation of the Russian state-owned nuclear power corporation Rosatom, headed by the firm's Director-General Alexey Likhachev, to discuss bilateral cooperation in the nuclear power sector. Djedovic »»»
Sharjah announces Eid Al Fitr 2026 holidays
The Sharjah Department of Human Resources has announced the Eid Al Fitr holiday schedule for employees working in government departments, authorities and institutions across the emirate. (Click here for UAE Ramadan Prayer Timings 2026) According to the announcement, the holiday will begin on Thursd»»»
Cancro boosts UAE presence with Al Maya launch, enhanced online access for Ramadan
Dubai: In time for the Holy Month, Cancro has announced its retail expansion into Al Maya Group stores across the UAE, alongside enhanced online availability designed to support Ramadan wellness routines. With hydration and recovery becoming central to health conversations during Ramadan, Cancro’s »»»
UAE ‘Palm’ Pavilion wins Gold at German Design Award after drawing 5m visitors at Expo 2025 Osaka
Following its record-breaking run at Expo 2025 Osaka, where it welcomed more than five million visitors, the UAE Pavilion has been awarded Gold at the German Design Award 2026. The German Design Council announced the win in the 'Fair and Exhibition – Exhibition Design' category, marking a prestigio»»»
Media Review: February 23
The topics of the newly appointed caretaker government and the Petrohan case dominate Monday’s press. POLITICS 24 Chasa presents the results of a Trend opinion poll, according to which if elections were held today, the coalition of former president Rumen Radev would win 32.7% of the votes, followed»»»
France declares war on meat
Here comes the 1st battalion of desk jockeys to lecture you about your dinner’s carbon footprint. Daily life in France used to be simple, until the government decided to appoint itself Mother Nature’s personal bodyguard, and the average citizen was declared her number one threat. Their latest salvo»»»
Dubai office market sees record sales as demand outpaces supply
Dubai: Dubai’s office market recorded its strongest performance in more than a decade in 2025, with total sales values more than doubling to Dh13.1 billion amid strong demand from investors and businesses seeking limited high-quality space. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balan»»»
“How Will Radev Compete with Me?” Borissov Claims GERB Has Done More for Bulgaria Than Anyone
During a gathering in Stara Zagora with nearly 1,000 mayors from villages, municipalities, and regional cities, GERB leader Boyko Borissov spoke candidly about the party’s achievements and the upcoming electoral challenges. He questioned how President Rumen Radev could compete with him after ten ye»»»
Planning Ramadan travel? Air Arabia just cut airfares by 40%
Sharjah: UAE residents planning Ramadan or early summer travel can now save on flights, with Sharjah-based Air Arabia announcing discounts of up to 40 per cent. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The low-cost carrier has rolled out a Ramadan promotion offering savings acr»»»
Lee Jong-suk to lead webtoon live action remake of Iseop's Romance: Fans are divided
What the drama will bringLee Jong-suk's casting marks his return to a full romantic lead in several years, a shift that is welcomes by fans who have long associated him with the genre. In Iseop's Romance viewers can expect to see his trademark charm applied to a character who's handsome witty, conf»»»