US Allows Oil Majors to Resume Venezuela Operations, Broadly Okays New Energy Investments
The US eased sanctions on Venezuela's energy sector on Friday, issuing two general licenses that allow global energy companies to resume oil and gas operations in the OPEC member and for other companies to negotiate contracts on investments in new energy operations. The Treasury Department's Office»»»
Court rules against British ban on protest group Palestine Action - UPI.com
1 of 6 | Metropolitan Police arrest people who support Palestine Action, which has been classed as a terrorist group, in August. On Friday, the High Court in London ruled that the British ban against the organization is unlawful. File Photo by Hugo Philpott/UPI | License Photo Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The »»»
Prime Minister meets President of Kurdistan Region
Munich: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met today with President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq HE Nechirvan Barzani, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The meeting dealt with discussing bilateral cooperation an»»»
Very cloudy with scattered showers expected Friday night over northern and locally central regions
Tunis, Feb 13 (TAP) - The weather Friday night will be very cloudy with scattered showers occasionally thunderous over northern and locally central regions, while temporarily cloudy over the south, according to the National Institute of...»»»
Return of Millions of Afghans from Pakistan and Iran Pushes Afghanistan to the Brink, UN Warns
The return of millions of Afghans from neighboring Pakistan and Iran is pushing Afghanistan to the brink, the UN refugee agency said on Friday, describing an unprecedented scale of returns. A total of 5.4 million people have returned to Afghanistan since October 2023, mostly from the two neighborin»»»
Iran Releases on Bail Senior Reformists Arrested After Protests
Iranian authorities released the leader of the country's reformist coalition on bail Friday, days after she was arrested following anti-government protests, local media reported. Azar Mansouri, head of the Reformist Front, "was released from prison a few minutes ago after posting bail," her lawyer »»»
Iran, Bahrain FMs Discuss Nuclear Talks in Phone Call
Iranian Foreign Minister Sayyed Abbas Araqchi and his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, held a telephone conversation on Friday. Araqchi expressed gratitude for the congratulatory message sent by Bahrain’s king to Iran’s president on the occasion of the 47th anniversary of the »»»
US government terminates ‘Temporary Protected Status’ for Yemen
The US Department of Homeland Security announced on Friday that Yemeni nationals’ Temporary Protected Status (TPS) will be terminated, effective 60 days after the notice is published in the Federal Register. Yemen was first granted TPS on September 3, 2015, following an ongoing armed conflict that »»»
Tunisia Towards 30x30 project, strengthening marine protection launched
Tunis, Feb 13 (TAP) - Tunisia Towards 30x30 project was officially launched on Friday by the Mediterranean Cooperation Centre of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN Med) and the Regional Activity Centre for Specially Protected...»»»
Krunic/Danilina advance to Doha final
DOHA - The Serbian-Kazakh duo of Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina is through to the women's doubles final at the Doha tennis tournament after beating the Canadian-Brazilian pair of Gabriela Dabrowska and Luisa Stefani 6-3, 6-4 in the semi-finals on Friday. Krunic and Danilina, who won after an h»»»
Calm returns to Janzour after overnight militia clashes
Calm has returned to the Janzour area west of Tripoli after a night of clashes between local state-recognized armed groups. The clashes reportedly erupted between members of the 6th Support Battalion and personnel affiliated with Force 137 (Western Coast) following the arrest of a member of the 6th»»»
UK's decision to ban Palestine Action as terrorist group was unlawful, court rules
The UK government's decision last July to ban the protest group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation was unlawful, Britain's High Court ruled Friday. British police have arrested more than 2,000 peaceful protesters for holding signs declaring their support for the proscribed group. Britain’»»»
Italy: 'Virgin' frescoes emerge from Pompeii suburb
Visitors have begun entering the restored Villa Poppaea, a luxury Roman residence near Pompeii, where new frescoes and artworks are being uncovered after centuries buried by the 79 AD eruption of Mount Vesuvius. The villa, once home to Poppaea Sabina, wife of Nero, is revealing vivid decorations, i»»»
At the Munich security summit, a push to rebuild Western unity
Leaders are gathering at the Munich Security Conference as transatlantic relations remain under close scrutiny. This year, the United States is represented by Marco Rubio, whose early remarks suggest a more conciliatory and cooperative tone toward European allies. That contrasts with the impact of »»»
Sofia Municipality Did Not Authorize Lukov March
The Sofia Municipality did not authorize Lukov March, a traditional torchlit procession, on February 14. It marks the anniversary of General Hristo Lukov's assassination by two Communist militants in his home on February 14, 1943. Lukov was known for his close ties with the Third Reich. On June 10,»»»
War crimes committed in Sudan's El-Fasher: UN report
The UN rights office on Friday accused Sudan's Rapid Support Forces of war crimes and possible crimes against humanity during the capture of El-Fasher, saying some 6,000 were killed in just three days. Since April 2023, the conflict between Sudan's army and the RSF has killed tens of thousands, dis»»»
Japan captures Chinese boat off coast of Nagasaki, detains captain - UPI.com
Korea Coast Guard's patrol vessel Taepyongyang 16 takes part in the joint search and rescue exercise with Japan Coast Guard and U.S. Coast Guard in Kyoto-Prefecture, Japan on June 6, 2024. The Japanese fisheries agency said Friday that authorities seized a Chinese fishing boat off the coast of Naga»»»
Vucic, Chinese FM discuss key global challenges, strengthening of cooperation
MUNICH - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic met on Friday in Munich with Chinese FM Wang Yi to discuss key global security challenges that were the focus of this year's Munich Security Conference, as well as preservation of peace. In an Instagram post, Vucic wrote that they had also discussed the s»»»
Hungary's PM hopeful accuses opponents of planning blackmail ahead of election
Less than two months before Hungary's election, opposition leader Peter Magyar has accused his rivals of planning to blackmail him with a secretly recorded sex tape, and says he is filing a complaint with authorities. Magyar, who leads long-time Prime Minister Viktor Orban in the polls, said he sus»»»
US Pushes Iran Deal Amid Israeli Distrust and Fear-Mongering: Report
Efforts by the United States to secure an agreement with Iran continue, while Israel expresses deep skepticism over its feasibility. The Zionist political analyst Ariel Kahane, writing for the Israeli newspaper “Israel Hayom,” reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded a brief visit »»»
Dust in the wind forecast for the weekend
Yet more clouds of dust from north Africa are expected to cloak parts of southern Greece over this coming weekend, carried over by strong southerly winds much earlier than usual amid unseasonably high temperatures, experts said Friday. Costas Lagouvardos, head of research at the Athens Observatory,»»»
Bulgarian Wineries Made 66 Mln Litres of Wine in 2025
A total of 66 million litres of wine were produced by Bulgarian wineries in 2025, Krasimir Koev, Executive Director of the Executive Agency on Vine and Wine, said on Friday. He was among the official guests at а vine-pruning ritual of the Plovdiv Agricultural University, dedicated to Trifon Zarezan»»»
No: 32, 13 February 2026, Regarding the Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh
We welcome that the parliamentary elections, and the referendum on reforms, including constitutional amendments, in Bangladesh, held yesterday (12 February), were conducted in a peaceful manner. We hope that the results of the elections and the referendum, which observers from Türkiye also monitore»»»
No: 33, 13 February 2026, Regarding the Resolutions Adopted by the European Parliament Containing Baseless Allegations Concerning Türkiye
We categorically reject the baseless allegations targeting Türkiye in certain resolutions adopted by the European Parliament yesterday (12 February). The resolution on the “Situation in Northeast Syria” disregards Türkiye’s role in Syria’s recovery and stabilization. We advise the European Parliame»»»
Saudi Energy Minister, China’s NDRC Chairman Co-chair Fifth Belt and Road, Major Projects and Energy Subcommittee Meeting
The fifth meeting of the Belt and Road, Major Projects and Energy Subcommittee of the Saudi–Chinese High-Level Joint Committee convened via videoconference under the co-chairmanship of Minister of Energy Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman bin Abdulaziz and Chairman of the National Development and Reform C»»»
Iraq Hopes Some ISIS Detainees to be Repatriated Soon amid Transfers Out of Syria
Iraq is in talks with other countries including Arab and Muslim states to repatriate ISIS prisoners, its foreign minister said, and the US military said it had completed a mission to transfer thousands of ISIS detainees to Iraq from Syria. Speaking in an interview with Reuters on the sidelines of t»»»
Prime Minister meets Minister-President of State of North Rhine-Westphalia of Germany
Munich: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani met Friday with Minister-President of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia of the Federal Republic of Germany HE Hendrik Wust, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. During the »»»
Stock market edges up 0.19% over week
Tunis, Feb 13 (TAP) - The stock market fluctuated before ending the week on an overall upward note, posting a 0.19% gain to 14,626.36 points, according to stockbroker Tunisie Valeurs.The benchmark index thus brought its year-to-date performance to...»»»
UN Needs to Be Put on 'Diet,' Reformed Like NATO - US Envoy to UN
MUNICH (Sputnik) - The United Nations needs to be put on "a diet" and reformed like NATO, US Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said on Friday. 'President [Donald Trump] has been clear, and my mandate is clear. We needed to put the UN on a diet … we are going to reform the UN, to get it fi»»»
Floods Wreak Havoc in Morocco Farmlands after Severe Drought
In the Moroccan village of Ouled Salama, 63-year-old farmer Mohamed Reouani waded through his crops, now submerged by floodwaters after days of heavy downpours. Farmers in the North African kingdom have for the past few years endured severe drought. But floods have now swamped more than 100,000 hec»»»
Maduro still ‘legitimate leader’ – Venezuela’s acting president
Nicolas Maduro remains Venezuela’s legitimate leader despite his capture by US forces a month ago, the country’s acting president, Delcy Rodriguez, told NBC News on Thursday. Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores were seized in a US military raid on Caracas on January 3 and flown to New York, where they»»»
Rubio warns Europe to expect changes as world enters 'new era' - UPI.com
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (L) is greeted by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at the Munich Security Conference on Friday. Photo by Sean Gallup/EPA Feb. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned the old world had been replaced with a new era in geopolitics that would require f»»»
Prime Minister participates in Munich Security Conference
Munich: Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani participated Friday in the opening of the 62nd session of the Munich Security Conference in the Federal Republic of Germany. The conference, which continues until Sunday, discusses issues o»»»
President of Finland meets Prime Minister
Munich: President of the Republic of Finland HE Alexander Stubb, President, met today with Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The meeting dealt with discussing bilateral cooperati»»»
Russia–China trade dips to $228bn in 2025 after years of growth
Trade between Russia and China dipped in 2025 after years of rapid growth, falling to $228bn, according to official data. The total remained above the target of $200bn, set by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese P»»»
KSE: Ukraine’s wartime spending hits record $131bn as defence absorbs 71% of budget
Ukraine's total budget expenses in 2025 reached a historic high of $131.4bn, according to the Fiscal Digest from the KSE Institute in its latest economic update. The main reason is the constant growth of defence and»»»
KSE: Ukraine’s wartime spending hits record $131bn as defence absorbs 71% of budget
Ukraine's total budget expenses in 2025 reached a historic high of $131.4bn, according to the Fiscal Digest from the KSE Institute in its latest economic update. The main reason is the constant growth of defence and»»»
Bulgaria to Join First Meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace
Bulgaria will take part in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace initiated by US President Donald Trump, outgoing Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov confirmed while speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference. The first session of the Council is expected to be held»»»
Newborn Found Dead in Plastic Bag Near Playground in Sofia
A tragic discovery was made in Sofia after the body of a newborn baby, placed inside a plastic bag, was found close to a playground in the Druzhba-1 residential area, the Sofia Police Directorate confirmed. The body was discovered by two workers from the municipal cleaning company "Chistota" while »»»
Louvre Museum's Denon Gallery Damaged by Water Leak, Mona Lisa Unaffected
The Louvre museum's Denon gallery, where its most valuable paintings are displayed, was hit by a water leak on Thursday evening, although the area which houses Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa was unaffected, said a Louvre spokesperson. The spokesperson said the water leak had been stopped in the earl»»»
Maroc Telecom Reports $760 Million Profit in 2025
Maroc Telecom, Morocco's largest telecoms operator, said on Friday its net profit soared to 6.969 billion dirhams ($760 million) in 2025, distorted by a very low figure the previous year due to the settlement of a local-loop unbundling dispute with its competitor. The result was up 288% from 2024, »»»
Poland Europe’s largest methane super-emitter from coal mines
Poland has been identified as Europe’s largest “super-emitter” of methane from coal mining operations, according to a new report by energy think-tank Ember, which warns that vast quantities of the potent greenhouse gas continue to be vented illegally across the EU. »»»
Prosecution Service Submits Petrohan-Okolchitsa Deaths Case Files to Parliament Amid Heightened Political Tensions
The prosecution service has sent to the National Assembly materials from the pre-trial proceedings into the six violent deaths linked to the Petrohan–Okolchitsa case, marking a significant step amid mounting political pressure and intense public scrutiny. The materials concern the deaths of six peo»»»
Russia–China trade dips to $228bn in 2025 after years of growth
Trade between Russia and China dipped in 2025 after years of rapid growth, falling to $228bn, according to official data. The total remained above the target of $200bn, set by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese P»»»
Surprise fireworks light up Dubai as American expats in UAE kick off 250th US Independence Day celebrations
Dubai: A surprise fireworks display at Dubai Festival City kicked off the 250th Independence Day celebrations of the United States by American expats in the UAE on Thursday night. The US Consulate General in Dubai hosted more than 1,000 guests for a patriotic evening. Abdulla Bin Touq Al Marri, UAE»»»
Leak damages 19th Century painting in latest Louvre setback
A water leak at the Louvre has caused damage to 19th Century ceiling painting, in the latest major setback for the Parisian museum. Water damage was discovered in room 707, also known as the "Duchâtel" room, late on Thursday night, the museum said. The room houses multiple 15th and 16th Century art»»»
Consumer inflation slowed in January behind declining energy costs - UPI.com
The consumer price index for the 12 months ending in January slowed to 2.4%, beating projects, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Feb. 13 (UPI) -- The consumer price index for the 12 months ending in January slowed to 2.4%, beating proje»»»
Kuwait PM meets UNHCR chief
MUNICH, Feb 13 (KUNA) -- His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Abdullah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah met on Friday with Barham Salih, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.During the meeting, they reviewed means of sustaining cooperation between Kuwai»»»