US embassy to provide passport services at West Bank settlements
The US is preparing to start offering passport services in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank for the first time. A statement posted on Tuesday to the US embassy's X account said consular officers "will be providing routine passport services" to US citizens in the settlement of Efrat on »»»
Spain declassifies files on 1981 attempted coup in effort to dispel conspiracy theories
Spain's government has released dozens of documents related to an attempted coup that took place 45 years ago - regarded as a key moment in the country's history. On 23 February 1981, a group of officers burst into the main chamber of the national parliament, wielding guns and threatening the polit»»»
Amir hosts Ramadan iftar for diplomats at Lusail Palace
Doha, Qatar: The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani hosted a Ramadan iftar banquet in honor of Their Excellencies the heads of diplomatic missions accredited to the country, Qatar's ambassadors abroad, and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The event, which took place on W»»»
Parliament Rejects President’s Veto on Election Code Revisions, Sparkling Intragroup Division
Parliament Wednesday rejected, 126-86 with 11 abstentions, President Iliana Iotova's veto on amendments to the Election Code, which limit to 20 the number of voting sections in Bulgarian elections in non-EU countries. The vote of the MPs from the Socialists' BSP - United Left group was critically i»»»
Parliamentary Committee Approves Amendments to Protection against Discrimination Act
The parliamentary Committee on Human Rights and Religion approved on second reading a bill amending and supplementing the Protection against Discrimination Act here on Friday that had been tabled by the Council of Ministers. The amendments are related to two European directives that establish commo»»»
US slaps fresh sanctions on Iran on eve of Geneva talks, Hezbollah draws red lines
Dubai: The United States on Wednesday announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade and weapons networks, intensifying what Washington calls its “maximum pressure” campaign even as Iranian negotiators travelled to Geneva for high-stakes nuclear talks. The US Treasury Department said»»»
18 Egyptians Missing after Deadly Boat Capsize Near Greece
Egypt said Wednesday that 18 of its citizens were still missing after a migrant boat capsized, killing four people, off the Greek island of Crete last week. The wooden boat was carrying 50 people, including four minors, when Greece's coast guard was alerted late Friday. Greek authorities then direc»»»
UAE expresses solidarity with Turkey over military aircraft crash
Abu Dhabi: The United Arab Emirates has expressed its solidarity and sincere condolences to Turkey following the crash of a military aircraft, which resulted in the martyrdom of the pilot. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy to the f»»»
King of Jordan, WHO Director-General discuss humanitarian aid delivery to Gaza
Amman: King Abdullah II of Jordan and Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus discussed the need to intensify international efforts to deliver humanitarian aid and medical supplies to Gaza Strip without restrictions. During their meeting on Wednesday, »»»
Indian PM Modi tweets in Malayalam to hail Kerala’s name change to Keralam
Dubai: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken to social media in Malayalam to mark Union Cabinet Committee’s approval to rename the south Indian state of Kerala as “Keralam”. In his tweet, Modi praised the willpower of the state’s people and said the move strengthens the bond with India’s ri»»»
Convict who escaped police in hospital recaptured, returns for treatment
A convict who escaped from his police guards during a visit to a Thessaloniki hospital for treatment this week has been recaptured after being found hiding in a Roma camp, authorities said Wednesday. A police statement said the 47-year-old man was once again taken to hospital, where he had initiall»»»
Government seeks to transform energy sector from financial burden to growth engine
Tunis, Feb. 25 (TAP) - Facing the worsening energy deficit, which now weighs heavily on the stability of the state budget, Tunisia has implemented an ambitious roadmap for the period 2026–2030. This strategy aims to transform the energy sector,...»»»
Geneva to Host US-Iran, US-Ukraine Talks on February 26 - Foreign Ministry
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Geneva will host US-Iran and US-Ukraine talks on February 26, and Swiss representatives will not participate in the meetings, Swiss Foreign Ministry Communications chief Nicolas Bidault told RIA Novosti on Wednesday. "Yes, that is correct," Bidault said, when asked if the confede»»»
IMF Says Syria Ended 2025 with a Small Budget Surplus
The International Monetary Fund said on Wednesday that the Syrian government ended 2025 with a small budget surplus and that its revenue projections were ambitious but feasible, as the agency's staff concluded a visit to Damascus. "Syria’s economy continues to show signs of recovery, with activity »»»
HRW: Sudan's RSF Targeted Civilians with Disabilities in El-Fasher
Sudanese Rapid Support Forces killed, abused and targeted people with disabilities during and after their takeover of El-Fasher, Human Rights Watch said Wednesday, calling it the first time it had documented abuse of "this type and scale". The RSF, which have been fighting Sudan's regular army sinc»»»
NASA Moves its Artemis II Moon Rocket off the Launch Pad for More Repairs
NASA moved its grounded Artemis moon rocket from the launch pad back to its hangar Wednesday for more repairs. The slow-motion trek at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center was expected to take all day. The 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket had spent a month at the pad ready for potential lif»»»
Iraqi Justice Minister to Asharq Al-Awsat: ISIS Prisoners Held at a Fortified Site, Escape Impossible
Iraqi Justice Minister Khaled Shwani told Asharq Al-Awsat that Iraq will not repatriate foreign prisoners affiliated with ISIS to their home countries if their involvement in crimes against Iraqi citizens is proven. He said a heavily fortified Iraqi prison currently holds thousands of ISIS members »»»
Three Egyptians dead, 18 missing after migrant boat inks in Mediterranean
Cairo: Egypt's Foreign Ministry said three Egyptian nationals have died and 18 remain missing after a boat carrying irregular migrants sank in the Mediterranean Sea en route to Greece last Saturday. In a statement, the ministry said the vessel was carrying 50 migrants, including 21 Egyptians. Egypt»»»
President Iotova Signs Decree Terminating Powers of Interior Ministry Secretary General Rashkov
Following a decision by the Council of Ministers, President Iliana Iotova Wednesday signed a decree terminating the powers of Chief Commissioner Miroslav Rashkov and dismissing him from his post as Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, the head of State's Press Secretariat said. /DD/»»»
First Bearded Vulture Chick of 2026 Returns to Parents at Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre
This year's first bearded vulture chick, which hatched under the Species Recovery Programme at the Green Balkans Wildlife Rescue Centre in Stara Zagora on February 18, was raised by the centre's team in an incubator during its first week. It was then returned to its parents, programme coordinator A»»»
Interior Minister Heard in Parliament over Petrohan-Okolchitsa Case, PM Warns Cabinet Is Being Targetted in Intimidation Campaign
Caretaker Interior Minister Emil Dechev was heard in Parliament on Wednesday amid allegations that he had exerted pressure on investigators working on a high-profile multiple deaths case, the Petrohan–Okolchitsa Case, which has drawn intense public and political scrutiny. Earlier the same day, care»»»
Hungary and Slovakia in standoff with Ukraine over broken Russian oil pipe
This story is a part of the weekly newsletter about economy, defence and tech in the eastern flank of Nato, How we cee it. Tensions between Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine reached new heights over the past week, as it became clear that Russian oil hasn’t been flowing to the two EU countries through »»»
Menassa downplays US role at Hamat air base
Defense Minister Michel Menassa on Wednesday clarified that the Hamat Air base in north Lebanon is “a Lebanese air base belonging to the Lebanese Army Air Force” and that “no other entity within it has any authority or power above Lebanese laws.” "Recently, news, reports, and writings have increase»»»
Casey Means to appear before Senate on surgeon general nomination - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Nominee for surgeon general Dr. Casey Means will face the U.S. Senate Wednesday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Dr. Casey Means is scheduled to appear before the Senate Wednesday to discuss her confirmation to become surgeon general. Means, 38, a friend of H»»»
Anthropic: Is Pete Hegseth threatening the US AI jewel?
BusinessUnited States of AmericaAnthropic: Is Pete Hegseth threatening the US AI jewel?Arthur SullivanAnthropic, a much vaunted AI startup, is firmly in the Trump administration's sights. The Pentagon wants complete access to its models, despite safety and ethical concerns. https://p.dw.com/p/59OGW»»»
Man charged in connection with death of Kerry farmer Michael Gaine
A man, aged in his 50s, has been charged in connection with the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Michael Gaine. The 56-year-old County Kerry farmer had been missing for more than eight weeks when remains found on his farm, near Kenmare, were identified in May 2025. It was initiall»»»
Driving Dubai-Sharjah while fasting? Expert warns of fatigue danger on the road
Long hours on the road while fasting during Ramadan can take a serious toll on drivers’ alertness, particularly during heavy traffic commutes such as the Sharjah-Dubai-Sharjah route, said UAE medical experts. Why fasting slows reaction timeDr Adel Al Sisi, Chief Medical Officer and Head of ICU at P»»»
Hope fades in search for missing after deadly Brazil rains
Juiz de Fora, Brazil: Despair hung over two cities in southeastern Brazil on Wednesday as rescuers and residents searched for 33 people missing after torrential rains unleashed flooding and landslides that killed at least 36. A violent downpour on Monday in the state of Minas Gerais turned streets »»»
Romanians pay among the lowest taxes and associated costs in Europe when buying a home through a mortgage loan
Home buyers in Bucharest pay among the lowest taxes and associated costs in Europe when purchasing a home through a mortgage loan, about EUR 2.500 for an average one-bedroom apartment, while buyers of a similar home in other European capital cities pay total associated costs that reach several tens»»»
Administrative Court launches internal platform to streamline coordination
Tunis, Feb. 25 (TAP) - The Administrative Court has announced the launch of a secure internal platform called “Mahkamatna” (Our Court), as part of an institutional vision aimed at strengthening internal communication and promoting a collaborative...»»»
Trump gives no clear signal on Iran in State of the Union
In a world on edge waiting to see what US President Donald Trump does next in the Middle East, he provided no clear signal when he presented the longest ever State of the Union address. The world's most powerful commander-in-chief decided not to make his comprehensive case for possible military act»»»
Court Rules Varna Mayor Kotsev’s Police Arrest Unlawful, Questions Procedural Failures
The Sofia District Court has ruled that the initial 24-hour police detention of Varna Mayor Blagomir Kotsev was unlawful. The decision came after an appeal filed by his attorney, Ina Lyulcheva, according to the legal outlet De Facto. Kotsev was detained on July 8 last year under the Law on the Anti»»»
Uber: Valentine’s Day led to higher evening mobility
As the celebrations around the season of love conclude with Dragobete, Uber analyzed mobility patterns to understand how people moved across the city on February 14th, comparing similar weekend periods year over year. The data shows a clear increase in ride volumes and a noticeable shift toward eve»»»
Qatar's knowledge economy, transformation strategy, enhancing global competitiveness: report
Doha, Qatar: The economy of the State of Qatar is witnessing a rapid strategic transformation from dependence on natural resources to an economic model based on knowledge, innovation and technology, in clear alignment with the goals of Qatar National Vision 2030, which places economic diversificati»»»
Germany's Merz secures 120 aircraft Airbus deal in Beijing talks with Xi
China will buy up to 120 aircraft from European aviation giant Airbus, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said following talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. Merz's visit comes as Berlin and Beijing seek to build on their decades-old economic ties to weather global uncertainty spa»»»
About Trump’s Complex Strategic Calculations on the Confrontation with Iran: Israeli Explainer
US President Donald Trump’s approach to a potential confrontation with Iran is driven by layered strategic calculations, senior researchers at the Zionist entity’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) found on Wednesday. In an article published in the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom on Wed»»»
Lebanese Army Exclusively Controls Hamat Air Base: Defense Minister
The Lebanese Minister of National Defense, General Michel Mnassah, issued a statement to comment on recent reports about the Hamat Air Base in the Batroun district of North Lebanon Governorate in light of the regional developments. Mnassah said that Hamat Air Base is a Lebanese military airbase und»»»
Heated Rivalry cottage in Canada will soon be up for rent
For Heated Rivalry fans, "I'm coming to the cottage" is the line that cemented Ilya Rozanov and Shane Hollander's romance. Soon, others will be able to head to the cottage, too. The lakefront property in Muskoka, Ontario, that served as the backdrop for the finale of the hit TV ice hockey romance w»»»
WCC-DB Signals Willingness to Join Forces with Radev to Replace Supreme Judicial Council
In Bulgaria, "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) has signaled its readiness to collaborate with any parliamentary formation, including a yet-to-be-announced group aligned with President Rumen Radev, to secure a parliamentary quota for the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). A qualifie»»»
Report: Israel killed more journalists that any other country in 2025 - UPI.com
Protesters at a World Press Freedom Day event in Kuala Lumpur hold a banner that reads, "Targeting Journalist is A Crime" and a poster of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh who was killed while reporting in the West Bank in 2022. Israel accepted she was likely killed by IDF »»»
Audit quality, a cornerstone for business success
In today’s complex business environment, the quality of an audit is more than a compliance requirement, it is a strategic asset. A good quality audit provides assurance that financial statements are accurate, supports tax and VAT compliance, fosters good governance practices, and empowers executive»»»
Ramadan staycations in UAE worth booking before suhoor
Ramadan in the UAE is a time for reflection, family and, let’s be honest, a well-timed reset. Whether you’re planning a desert retreat in Abu Dhabi’s Empty Quarter, a theme park-fuelled family break in Dubai or a beachfront golf escape in Ras Al Khaimah, there’s a staycation with your name on it. F»»»
Varoufakis indicted to stand trial over drugs comments
Left-wing politician and former finance minister Yanis Varoufakis has been indicted to stand trial for allegedly promoting the use of drugs in a podcast, his small MeRA25 party said Wednesday. A party statement said the former SYRIZA party official is due to apprear in court on December 16, and acc»»»
US and South Korean Militaries will Have Joint Drills in March as Tensions with North Korea Escalate
The US and South Korean militaries said on Wednesday they will conduct their annual springtime exercises next month to bolster their countries’ combined defense capabilities against a backdrop of a deepening diplomatic freeze with nuclear-armed North Korea. The Freedom Shield drills is set for Marc»»»
West won’t deploy troops to Ukraine without Russian approval – Telegraph
Western European nations will not deploy troops to Ukraine without Russian consent, The Telegraph reported Tuesday, citing anonymous sources. The UK-French initiative to deploy troops to Ukraine has been promoted as a deterrent against Russia which could follow a potential peace deal. Russian Presi»»»
Egypt backs stability in South Sudan and urges Nile co-operation
Cairo: Egypt's foreign minister has reaffirmed Cairo's support for stability in South Sudan and called for closer co-operation among Nile Basin countries during talks with his South Sudanese counterpart in Cairo. Badr Abdelatty on Wednesday met Monday Semaya Kumba, who is currently visiting the Egy»»»
Why talent will define Abu Dhabi’s next decade of growth
Dubai: The UAE ended 2025 with clear evidence that economic diversification is no longer an ambition - it is a fact, and one that is occurring at an accelerated pace. Non-oil sectors continue to grow faster than the oil sector, and they now account for over 77 percent of GDP. This represents the hi»»»
Automated people movers: Engineering the next era of airport mobility
As global air travel continues to expand and airports grow into complex, multi-terminal environments, the challenge of moving millions of travellers quickly and comfortably has never been more critical. Modern airports now function as interconnected transit ecosystems rather than single buildings, »»»
Hezbollah official says group won't intervene in event of 'limited' US strikes on Iran
A Hezbollah official said Wednesday that the Lebanese militant group would not intervene militarily in the event of "limited" U.S. strikes on its backer Iran, but would consider any attack against supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei a "red line". Lebanese authorities fear that Hezbollah would bec»»»