British couple Lindsay and Craig Foreman have been sentenced in Iran to 10 years in prison for espionage, their family have said. The couple were arrested while on a motorcycle trip on 3 January 2025 and later charged with espionage, which the couple denies. The Foremans previously appeared in a th»»»

A new building for school No. 8 named after D. Moldogaziev has been opened in the village of Shaty in Tyup district of Issyk-Kul region. Designed for 225 students, it replaces a building built in 1965. The new school consolidates the educational process under one roof: previously, children studied »»»

Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Foundation’s Ability Friendly Program (AP) has evolved significantly since its launch, witnessing steady growth in participation and broadening its range of sports, and building a strong cohort of highly trained coaches committed to inclusive practice. What began in 2018 with»»»

Philippine Vice President and freshly declared presidential candidate Sara Duterte is facing a fourth impeachment case against her, documents seen by AFP on Thursday show. Also Read: Impeachment showdown: One-complaint-one-year rule explained, how removing top officials really works in the Philippi»»»

Dubai: From watching school productions at Dubai’s now-closed DUCTAC theatre in Mall of the Emirates to performing on one of New York’s most politically charged Off-Broadway stages, UAE kid Anuka Sethi has travelled a long, quietly radical road. “I was a very shy kid who used to watch the plays tha»»»

Dubai: The General Directorate of Identity and Foreigners Affairs – Dubai (GDRFA Dubai), in partnership with the Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government (MBRSG), celebrated the graduation of the first cohort of the “GDRFA Dubai Nudgeathon”, an innovative programme focused on applying behavioural i»»»

The Ministry of Finance has canceled plans to lease sections of two iconic Koufonisi beaches, Italida and Pori, for umbrellas and sunbeds following local outcry. The decision, signed by general-secretary Antigoni Giannakaki, honors a request from the Naxos municipality to protect the island’s chara»»»

During his pre-recorded video speech aired last night to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the 17th of February Revolution, that ended the 42-year Qaddafi regime, Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister, Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba, stated: The country enters the month of Ramadan amidst an economic crisis,»»»

An attempt to transport a large shipment of cigarettes without excise stamps was foiled in Issyk-Ata district of Chui region, the State Tax Service of the Kyrgyz Republic reported. According to the agency, during a tax inspection raid in the village of Birdik, tax officers discovered a Mercedes-Ben»»»

Members of Parliament of Kyrgyzstan approved the implementation of the project «On the ratification of the Financing Agreement and Grant Agreement for the Phase 1 Project for the Kyrgyz Republic under the One Health Program to Prevent Pandemics, Ensure Resilience of Food Systems, and Healthy Ecosys»»»

The caretaker government led by Andrey Gurov is expected to be sworn in before the National Assembly on Thursday. Afterwards, a ceremony for the transfer and acceptance of power will be held at the Council of Ministers, the Government Information Service said. On Wednesday, caretaker prime minister»»»

Members of the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament) of Kyrgyzstan approved the draft law «On Ratification of the Extradition Treaty between Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia,» which was signed on July 21, 2025 in Bishkek, in its third reading. The document provides legal mechanisms for the extradition of individuals»»»

Registration for the Nationwide Testing has begun in Kyrgyzstan. Durus Kozuev, Deputy Minister of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation, announced at a press conference. According to him, registration will continue until April 2. The following individuals are eligible to participate in the Nati»»»

Beijing: Five children were among the 12 people killed in an explosion at a general store selling fireworks in China during the Lunar New Year holiday, state media said Thursday. Setting off fireworks and crackers is common during holiday celebrations in China, especially around Lunar New Year. The»»»

Sharjah: The Sharjah Police General Headquarters has won three awards at the seventh edition of the Minister of Interior Excellence Award 2026, held at Emirates Palace in Abu Dhabi in the presence of Lt. Gen. Shaikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Sharjah P»»»

Small-scale protests broke out across Serbia on February 18, as students and farmers demonstrated over political and economic grievances. The demonstrations followed two nights of clashes with police in Belgrade and Novi S»»»

As part of the Ministry of Energy’s reform and digitalization of the electricity supply system, the National Electric Network of Kyrgyzstan will install 390,000 smart meters across the country in 2026. This project is being implemented with the support of the World Bank and aims to modernize the na»»»

Officers from the Department of Internal Affairs of Oktyabrsky district of Bishkek have detained a fraud suspect. A citizen T.O. filed a complaint with the Internal Affairs Department of Bishkek, requesting action against a woman Z.K., who gained her trust at Orto-Sai market and, under the pretext »»»

The leaders of Ata-Zhurt and Mekenchil parliamentary groups have changed. Dastanbek Zhumabekov has become the leader of Ata-Zhurt parliamentary group. Deputy Alisher Kozuev announced this at a meeting. According to him, yesterday, the leader of Ata-Zhurt group, Nurlan Azygaliev, voluntarily resigne»»»

North Korea’s Namyang in Onsong County, North Hamgyong Province, is seen across the Tumen River from Tumen in China’s Jilin province. Photo by Asia Today Feb. 18 (Asia Today) -- Residents along the China-North Korea border in Tumen say talk is spreading that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could vi»»»

When authorities in Truckee, California, learned of a large avalanche that hit a group of backcountry skiers, they rushed into action. Emergency messages came on Tuesday at 11:30 PT from a group guide's iPhone, using satellite-texting capabilities, as well as from another skier's emergency distress»»»

Dubai: boAt - World’s No. 3 Audio Company (Source: IDC, CY 2024), has announced its retail expansion into Lulu stores across the UAE, further strengthening its presence in the region. Already available both online and offline across the UAE, boAt’s entry into Lulu Hypermarkets - including key locat»»»

The Polish Financial Supervision Authority (UKNF) has clarified rules governing same-day share transactions by company executives and related persons, a move widely seen as a response to the high-profile PKP Cargo case involving former board member Marcin Wojewódka. On 10 December 2025, Wojewódka s»»»

Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland is entering a “year of turbo-acceleration,” following what he called a 2025 economic breakthrough. Speaking at the Warsaw Stock Exchange, he described Poland as an “oasis of stability and growth” despite geopolitical tensions, highlighting GDP growth of 3.6% l»»»

Comarch, alongside Comarch TFI and Comarch Management, has completed the sale of 100% of shares in Comarch Healthcare, owner of the iMed24 Medical Center in Kraków. The buyer, Imed Holding PSA, is led by Joanna Dróżdż-Gradzikiewicz, a long-serving board member of Comarch Healthcare and director of »»»

The Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan has approved the amount of sadaqah al-fitr for 2026. Its press service reported. This year, the sadaqah al-fitr per person is 1.6 kilograms of wheat (60 soms), raisins (880 soms), flour (90 soms), or 3.2 kilograms of barley (100 soms), and dates (1»»»

Dubai: Ras Al Khaimah’s residential market recorded exceptional growth in 2025, with prime apartment prices climbing to Dh2,428 per square foot, marking the highest level in the current property cycle. Strong capital appreciation across coastal destinations, including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and»»»

The Syrian government is interested in Russia maintaining its military presence in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "As for our military facilities, discussions are ongoing. Let me reiterate: the Syrians are keen for our presence to endure," Lavrov told Al Arabia broadcaster»»»

Gen. Francis Donovan, head of US Southern Command, visited Venezuela alongside diplomatic envoy Laura Dogu and Pentagon official Joseph Humire for direct talks with interim authorities. According to the command's statement, the discussions were focused on "security environment"."Building trust and »»»

Kyrgyz wrestler Akzhol Makhmudov will take part in a ranking tournament in Albania. The United World Wrestling (UWW) reported. The second ranking tournament of 2026, Muhamet Malo Tournament, will be held from February 25 to March 1 in Tirana. Makhmudov has been included in the Kyrgyzstan’s national»»»

Nurbek Taalai uulu has been appointed head of the Jalal-Abad Regional Capital Construction Department. The Ministry of Construction announced. The corresponding order was signed by Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing and Communal Services of Kyrgyzstan Nurdan Oruntaev. Prior to his appo»»»

US President Donald Trump on Wednesday sharply criticized the UK over a lease deal concerning Diego Garcia island, the site of a major US military base, saying it may be needed to counter a "potential attack" by Iran if nuclear talks collapse. "I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of th»»»

Israeli planes sprayed chemicals on farmland in Quneitra, Syria in late January and early February, 2026. Farmers say that their crops yellowed and died in just a few days and that they lost dozens of hectares of farmland. There have been similar reports of the Israeli Army spraying fields in south»»»

Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev met with a delegation of the European Parliament, the Foreign Ministry’s press service reported. According to the ministry, the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, interparliamentary dialogue, and the regional agenda. »»»

Dubai: Motorists across the Dubai and Sharjah faced a difficult Thursday morning commute as a series of accidents cause significant tailbacks on major arterial roads. The most severe disruptions were reported on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), and Emirates Road (E611) where a string of accid»»»

The Middle East is used to conflict, but the current moment is fundamentally different. Wars overlap, alliances are in flux, and long-standing assumptions about external protection and the regional order are eroding. For the Arab world, this is not simply another phase of instability; it is a strat»»»

Zhanar Akayev, a member of the Zhogorku Kenesh (Parliament), will become the Mayor of Osh city. Own sources informed 24.kg news agency. As a reminder, Zhenishbek Toktorbaev has been dismissed from his post as mayor of the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan. Zhanar Akayev was born on December 13, 1986, »»»

The holy month of Ramadan has begun today for Muslims around the world. The head of the Spiritual Directorate of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan, Abdulaziz Zakirov, addressed compatriots on the occasion of the start of Ramadan. He congratulated Muslims, the people of Kyrgyzstan, and all humanity on the arriv»»»

Christine Lagarde, the president of the European Central Bank, has decided to leave her position as the EU's top central banker before the end of her mandate in October 2027, according to a report in the Financial Times. The move could allow for her successor to be named ahead of presidential elect»»»

Two interchanges with intersections are included in the Bishkek Eastern bypass road construction project. Sanzhar Zhantaev, First Deputy Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the region, said at a meeting of the Chui Regional State Administration on the 2025 results. According to him, the interchan»»»

A Rio Carnival parade paying tribute to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been relegated after finishing last in the city’s top samba school competition, as critics denounced elements of the performance that mocked conservatives and traditional family values. A Carnival parade honouring Brazi»»»

South Korea's disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol could be banished to death row on February 19 when he fronts court over his disastrous bid to impose martial law. Seoul's Central District Court will rule on insurrection charges against the 65-year-old, delivering a verdict that will be broadc»»»

Dubai: The UAE is set for generally fair to partly cloudy weather from today through Monday, with humid nights bringing a chance of fog or mist in several areas, according to the latest forecast. According to the National Centre of Metrology (NMC), today’s weather will be fair in general with occas»»»

Russia, China and Iran have deployed naval vessels for joint exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz region under the “Maritime Security Belt 2026” framework, Russian and Iranian state media reported. Global Surveillance, a geopolitics think-tank, described the move as a “surprise”. The Moscow »»»

The Asian Development Bank and Gulf Renewable Energy Company Limited have signed a $350mn financing agreement to support the construction of two solar power projects paired with battery energy storage systems in Thailand, alongside a separate 68-MW solar plant, POWERLINE reports. »»»

Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»