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»»»
President Iotova: "I Have No Way of Raising Objections to Composition of Caretaker Cabinet, It Is not My Choice"
“I have no way of raising objections to the composition of the caretaker cabinet, because it is not my choice,” said President Iliana Iotova on Thursday. She was attending the ceremony at which the caretaker government took the oath of office at the National Assembly. She added that she does have c»»»
Caretaker PM Gurov Pledges Fair Elections
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov told the National Assembly on Thursday that he and his cabinet would prepare fair elections and run the country until a regular government is formed. Speaking after he and his ministers took the oath of office, Gurov added that the caretaker team was not promis»»»
SPEEDWELL announces handover of third building in The Ivy residential project
Developed as a gated residential community on a plot of over five hectares, THE IVY has become one of the most desired residential projects in northern Bucharest, offering a mix of facilities dedicated to everyday life, lush green spaces, pedestrian walkways, and a children’s playground. The projec»»»
Karachi Building Collapse after Blast Kills 16
A building collapse caused by an explosion in Pakistan's southern megacity of Karachi killed at least 16 people on Thursday, including children, officials said. More than a dozen people were injured in the incident in the Soldier Bazaar neighborhood of Karachi at around 4:00 am, when Muslim familie»»»
UN Probe: RSF Actions in Sudan's el-Fasher Point to Genocide
Mass killings of non-Arab communities when the Rapid Support Forces captured the Sudanese city of el-Fasher bears hallmarks that point to genocide, an independent UN probe said in a new report on Thursday. At the end of October last year, the RSF took over the city - which had been the last remaini»»»
UNRWA: The humanitarian situation across Gaza Strip is catastrophic, coinciding with restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe UNRWA: The humanitarian situation across Gaza Strip is catastrophic, coinciding with restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid 19-02»»»
Ministry of Culture proposes revisiting TikTok ban in Kyrgyzstan - | 24.KG
At a board meeting of the Ministry of Culture, Information, Sports and Youth Policy of the Kyrgyz Republic, Deputy Minister Marat Tagaev stated that the decision to block the social media platform TikTok in Kyrgyzstan should be reconsidered. According to him, the Center for Monitoring and Research »»»
Did Aamir Khan get involved in Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar's Don 3 casting drama?
Dubai: A day after reports claimed Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan had intervened in the Don 3 casting missteps, the actor clarified he is not involved in the fallout between Ranveer Singh and Farhan Akhtar. Earlier this week, speculation of his intervention gained traction after a meeting at Khan’s»»»
Caretaker Government Sworn In, Election Set for April 19
Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and his cabinet took the oath of office before the National Assembly on Thursday, with President Iliana Iotova in attendance. Caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gurov and the ministers in the caretaker government took the oath of office before the National Assembl»»»
'We're still on edge': Toy firms look to US Supreme Court as tariffs hit profits
As the toy industry gathered in New York City recently for its marquee annual convention, the head of one small company stood out from the crowd, greeted by fellow business owners like a minor celebrity. Rick Woldenberg, the chief executive of Learning Resources, helped make headlines last year, wh»»»
Do not give away Diego Garcia, Trump tells UK in fresh attack on Chagos deal
"Do not give away Diego Garcia," US President Donald Trump has said as he criticised the UK's plan to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius and lease back an important military base. Trump said "this land should not be taken away from the UK" and if it did it would be "a blight on our Great All»»»
Etsy sells second-hand fashion app Depop to eBay for $1.2bn
Depop, the second-hand clothing app that has skyrocketed in popularity among Gen Z shoppers, is being sold to eBay for $1.2bn (£890m). Etsy, the online platform, is offloading Depop just five years after it bought the business - which was founded in the UK - for $1.6bn. eBay is hoping that the deal»»»
Oil Prices Extend Gains on Concerns of Potential US-Iran Conflict
Oil prices rose on Thursday as the US and Iran attempted to ease a standoff in talks over Tehran's nuclear program while both sides heightened military activity in the key oil-producing region. Brent futures climbed 23 cents, or 0.3% to $70.58 a barrel by 0735 GMT, while US West Texas Intermediate »»»
Australian Police Investigate Threatening Letter to Country's Largest Mosque
Australian police said on Thursday they had launched an investigation after a threatening letter was sent to the country’s largest mosque, the third such incident in the lead-up to the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. The letter sent to Lakemba Mosque in Sydney’s west on Wednesday contained a drawi»»»
Tucker Carlson says he was ‘detained’ in Israel
US journalist and podcaster Tucker Carlson has said he was briefly detained at Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv on Wednesday after taping an interview with the American ambassador to Israel. Carlson, who frequently criticizes US aid to West Jerusalem, told the Daily Mail that Israeli of»»»
Justice minister says Turkish crime baron owner of record-breaking 10 tonnes of seized cocaine
Turkish crime baron Cetin Goren was the owner of a record European haul of almost 10 tonnes of cocaine seized last month by the Spanish police, Turkey’s newly-appointed justice minister Akin Gurlek said on February 13 in remarks made during his first televised interview as minister. »»»
Justice minister says Turkish crime baron owner of record-breaking 10 tonnes of seized cocaine
Turkish crime baron Cetin Goren was the owner of a record European haul of almost 10 tonnes of cocaine seized last month by the Spanish police, Turkey’s newly-appointed justice minister Akin Gurlek said on February 13 in remarks made during his first televised interview as minister. »»»
New Head of SCNS Department introduced in Osh region - | 24.KG
The new head of the Department of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) for Osh and Osh region was officially introduced in the southern capital of Kyrgyzstan. Zhoomart Toktogulov has been appointed to the post. Photo Zhoomart Toktogulov The ceremony took place in the conference room of »»»
Emirates NBD rolls out branded silver bars to meet rising demand
Dubai: Emirates NBD has launched its own branded silver bars, expanding its precious metals platform as demand rises among retail and high net worth investors seeking alternatives to traditional financial assets. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The new offering adds to»»»
Police nabs fugitive in northern Greece
A 42-year-old fugitive from justice with a jail sentence and an arrest warrant pending for two separate crimes was arrested in Thessaloniki on Wednesday, police said. A court in Thessaloniki had convicted the man to five years in prison for his involvement in a shooting incident eight years ago in »»»
Destroyed cookie factory owner jailed pending trial over deadly blast
The owner of the Violanta cookie factory, where five workers died in a massive gas explosion last month, has been jailed pending trial on charges including homicide with possible intent. Authorities have blamed the January 26 blast on a long-term leak of propane, used to fuel the factory’s ovens, f»»»
UN says Israeli actions raising 'ethnic cleansing' fears in West Bank, Gaza
Israel's increased attacks and forcible transfers of Palestinian civilians "raise concerns over ethnic cleansing" in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the United Nations said Thursday. "Intensified attacks, the methodical destruction of entire neighborhoods and the denial of humanitarian assistance»»»
Iran atomic energy chief says no country can deprive Tehran of enrichment rights
Iran's atomic energy chief Mohammad Eslami said Thursday that no country can deprive the Islamic republic of its right to nuclear enrichment, after U.S. President Donald Trump again hinted at military action following talks in Geneva. "The basis of the nuclear industry is enrichment. Whatever you w»»»
2026 to mark shift from AI assistants to operational, multimodal AI agents in enterprise – SoftServe
AI agents are gaining traction in the enterprise sector, with 2026 marking a shift towards systems capable of executing complex workflows and supporting operational decision-making. According to global IT consulting and digital services provider SoftServe, adoption is advancing, but large-scale suc»»»
Modi calls for inclusive tech at AI summit
New Delhi, India: Artificial intelligence must be accessible and inclusive, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi told world leaders and tech CEOs on Thursday, at a summit focused on the fast-evolving technology. His call was echoed by UN chief Antonio Guterres, who warned the gathering that AI canno»»»
Awqaf renews sponsorship of global Quran recitation competition ‘Tejan Al Noor’
Doha, Qatar: The General Directorate of Endowments at the Ministry of Awqaf and Islamic Affairs has renewed its sponsorship of the “Tejan Al Noor” International Quran Recitation Competition, organised by Jeem TV, for the 14th consecutive year during the holy month of Ramadan. The continued support »»»
QPC, Middle East Council on Global Affairs sign cooperation agreement
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Press Center (QPC) has signed a cooperation agreement with the Middle East Council on Global Affairs to strengthen collaboration between media and research institutions in Qatar and the wider Arab region. The partnership aims to advance media and research work, organise scien»»»
Bishkek FEZ entities to be relocated to new territory - | 24.KG
On February 19, the head of the National Agency for Investment under the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Ravshanbek Sabirov, held a working meeting with representatives of ministries, agencies, and entities of the Bishkek Free Economic Zone (FEZ). During the meeting, current issues related to rel»»»
Daniyar Amangeldiev: Kyrgyzstan's GDP approaches 2 trillion soms - | 24.KG
First Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan Daniyar Amangeldiev spoke at a roundtable discussion on regional development and digitalization of public administration. According to him, Kyrgyzstan’s GDP approached 2 trillion soms by the end of 2025, almost double the 2022 figures.»»»
Lulu Hypermarket renews charitable initiative
Doha, Qatar: Lulu Hypermarket Qatar and Qatar Charity have renewed their strategic partnership for the 9th consecutive year, reaffirming their shared commitment to humanitarian initiatives with a special focus on the holy month of Ramadan 2026. This long-standing collaboration strengthens Lulu Hype»»»
OpenAI's Altman says world 'urgently' needs AI regulation
New Delhi, India: Sam Altman, head of ChatGPT maker OpenAI, told a global artificial intelligence conference on Thursday that the world "urgently" needs to regulate the fast-evolving technology. An organisation could be set up to coordinate these efforts, similar to the International Atomic Energy »»»
An Arab vision for regional security
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»»»
Macron tells India AI summit Europe is determined to 'shape rules' with allies
President Emmanuel Macron told the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi that France and the EU would continue to lead the way for global regulation of artificial intelligence, in partnership with allies including India, describing Europe as "a safe space" for innovation and investment that protects childr»»»
Caretaker Government Appointed in Bulgaria, Early Elections Set for April 19
Vice President Iliana Yotova has formalized the appointment of a caretaker government headed by Andrey Gyurov, the presidency announced on Thursday. With a separate decree, Yotova also set the date for early parliamentary elections, which will take place on April 19, 2026. A further decree determin»»»
Russia's Lavrov Warns against Any New US Strike on Iran
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview made public on Wednesday, said that any new US strike on Iran would have serious consequences and called for restraint to find a solution to enable Iran to pursue a peaceful nuclear program. Lavrov's interview with Saudi Arabia's Al-Arabiya t»»»
AI Cannot Be Left to 'Whims of a Few Billionaires', UN Chief Says
UN chief Antonio Guterres warned technology leaders Thursday of the risks of artificial intelligence, saying its future cannot be left to "the whims of a few billionaires". Speaking at a global AI summit in India, the UN chief called on tech tycoons to support a $3 billion global fund to ensure ope»»»