Graduates of driving schools in Kyrgyzstan will no longer be able to immediately obtain a permanent driver’s license. Instead, a «provisional national driver’s license» valid for one year is being introduced, a draft government resolution says. Under the document, standard training lasts 10 months.»»»

Echo Investment has applied to demolish the Pekao Tower at 53/57 Grzybowska Street in Warsaw, paving the way for a new office project on a site it owns. The demolition request was filed on January 30, 2026. The existing building — also known as the Marian Kantor Building — was completed in 1991 as »»»

Blik is preparing for a potential debut on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, in what could become one of the most closely watched listings in Poland’s financial sector. The mobile payments platform, widely used for online transfers and in-store transactions, has grown into a key player in the country’s fa»»»

EU member states have approved Poland’s participation in the €150 billion SAFE defense program, concluding the bloc’s review of Warsaw’s plan. Poland will receive €43.7 billion in low-interest loans to finance 139 military procurement projects, largely sourced from European manufacturers. The loans»»»

The supply of drinking water will be suspended on February 19 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Kalys-Ordo and Muras-Ordo residential areas. The press service of the Bishkek City Hall reported. Residential buildings, schools, preschool institutions, healthcare facilities, and other social and industrial fac»»»

The European Union’s attempt to introduce measures against foreign ports and banks allegedly used by Russia to sell oil is facing resistance from several member states, which could weaken the EU’s new package of anti-Russian sanctions, Bloomberg reports, citing sources. According to the media outle»»»

French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up the first day of a state visit to India on February 17, 2026, elevating defence cooperation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and setting out an expanded industrial and military roadmap. »»»

French President Emmanuel Macron wrapped up the first day of a state visit to India on February 17, 2026, elevating defence cooperation with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and setting out an expanded industrial and military roadmap. »»»

Convicted US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein sought to cultivate ties with Russia’s political elite and repeatedly pressed for a meeting with President Vladimir Putin, according to US Justice Department files released on Tuesday. The documents detail Epstein’s travel to Russia and efforts to recruit y»»»

Speaking with FRANCE 24's Sharon Gaffney, Gloria J. Browne-Marshall, Professor of Constitutional Law at John Jay College of Criminal Justice (CUNY), founder of @The Law & Policy Group, and author of 'A Protest History of the United States', says that the death of civil rights leader Jesse Jacks»»»

On October 29, 2025, officers of the Internal Affairs Department of Zhaiyl district conducted a raid in cooperation with representatives of the public association Kalininskoye Interdistrict Society of Hunters and Fishermen, resulting in the detention of two individuals engaged in poaching. The susp»»»

Iran and the United States reached an understanding on the main "guiding principles" in a second round ​of indirect talks over their nuclear dispute on Tuesday, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. FRANCE 24's Angela Diffley brings you this analysi»»»

The 39th edition of Africa’s top regional body ended Monday in Ethiopia with leaders of member nations focusing talks on security and regional stability. FRANCE 24's Tom Canetti reports from Addis Ababa.»»»

The revelation that a high-profile member of the British government had close historic ties with the disgraced American financier Jeffrey Epstein has entrenched British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in the worst political crisis he has faced since taking office. Questions about his ability to sur»»»

Two years after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny died in prison, five European countries claim they have identified the substance that killed him: epibatidine, an extremely lethal toxin produced by the South American poison dart frog. But why go through the trouble of using such a rare, exo»»»

Russian and Belarusian athletes will be allowed to compete under their own national flags at the 2026 Paralympics in Milan-Cortina, the Games' governing body confirmed to AFP on Tuesday. Valeriy Sushkevych, president of the Ukrainian Paralympic Committee, denounced the move, saying "I am very, very»»»

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators concluded the first of two days of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, though neither side signalled they were any closer to ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War II. Speaking with FRANCE 24's Mark Owen, John Lough, Head of Foreign Policy at »»»

Russia’s delegation to the latest round of US-brokered peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow in Geneva is once again being led by ultraconservative historian and presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky – a man who rewrote Russia’s history textbooks to justify Moscow’s all-out invasion of Ukraine. Vladimi»»»

Ukrainian and Russian negotiators wrapped up a first day of US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday with no sign of a breakthrough. The nearly four-year war, Europe’s deadliest since World War II, grinds on as both sides signalled that they remain far apart on key issues like territory.  »»»

India has kicked off the fourth edition of the annual artificial intelligence (AI) summit, the first such event in the Global South. The five-day event will draw world leaders including the French and Brazilian presidents, as well as tech bosses like Google's Sundar Pichai and OpenAI's Sam Altman, »»»

Industrial hemp cultivation could be permitted in Kyrgyzstan, Member of Parliament Dastan Bekeshev posted on Telegram. According to him, the Zhogorku Kenesh is set to review a draft law granting individuals and legal entities the right to grow medicinal herbs (including sage, aconite and others) on»»»

Vice President Sara Duterte on Wednesday formally declared that she will seek the presidency in 2028, ending years of speculation about her political ambitions. “I am Sara Duterte. I will run for president of the Philippines,” she said during a press conference, delivering a direct and unequivocal »»»

A third group of citizens of Kyrgyzstan has departed for work in Slovakia, the Center for Employment of Citizens Abroad reported. The departure took place after completing pre-departure training. The training format was designed to raise applicants’ awareness and help them adapt to working abroad. »»»

Eighteen films have been selected for the international competition of the 13th Umut Young Cinema Forum. The announcement was made by the Cinema Development Fund of the Kyrgyz Republic. «We received a large number of excellent films. Unfortunately, we were unable to include many of them in the comp»»»

NEW YORK: An immigration judge has blocked the Trump administration from deporting Mohsen Mahdawi, a Palestinian graduate student who led protests at Columbia University against Israel and the war in Gaza. Also Read: US expands visa curbs: 39 countries affected under new immigration policyIn a ruli»»»

Dubai: Commuters faced significant delays on Wednesday morning as the first day of Ramadan brought heavy traffic and a series of incidents to the main arteries linking Sharjah and Dubai. The shift in traditional working hours and school timings, resulted in a concentrated surge of vehicles during t»»»

Dubai: Today, the UAE marks the first day of Ramadan after the official moon-sighting committee confirmed the holy month will begin on Wednesday, February 18. The arrival of Ramadan brings one of the most significant shifts in daily traffic patterns seen all year. For the next 30 days, roads across»»»

Members of the European Parliament met with students of Osh State University to discuss prospects for cooperation. During the meeting at the university, the parties addressed issues of international education, opportunities for studying abroad, academic mobility, and youth initiatives. A separate m»»»

The President of Kyrgyzstan has pardoned Daniel Azhiev, the founder of webcam studios who was found guilty and sentenced. He was released early, his family announced on social media. In the fall of 2024, Daniel Azhiev was sentenced to nine years in prison with confiscation of property and a fine of»»»

BusinessUnited States of AmericaBayer agrees to pay billions to settle Roundup lawsuitsKate Hairsine with AP, ReutersGerman chemical giant Bayer and cancer patient attorneys have agreed to a proposed $7.25 billion settlement over lawsuits claiming that glyphosate in its Roundup weedkiller causes ca»»»

After the first meeting in Oman this month, about which very little is known, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi are meeting in Geneva on February 17. »»»

Kamchybek Tashiyev, last week stripped of his post as Kyrgyzstan’s national security chief by President Sadyr Japarov, has temporarily left the country, Ozodlik reported on February 17, citing a report by Region TV’s Utkirbek Rakhmonov. »»»

Hundreds of people in Tajikistan who faced criminal charges for posting “likes” have been acquitted. Habibullo Vohidzoda, the country’s prosecutor general, told a press conference – as reported by Asia-Plus – that the move»»»

Russian and Ukrainian negotiators on Tuesday began US-brokered talks in Geneva seeking to end the four-year war, hours after both sides launched fresh long-range strikes, officials said. A source in the Russian delegation and Rustem Umerov, head of the Ukrainian delegation, said the trilateral talk»»»

PUEBLO, Colorado: Four people died in crashes involving over 30 vehicles, including six semitrailers, on an interstate in Colorado Tuesday after blowing dirt made it nearly impossible to see, authorities said. Dirt kicked up by heavy winds blew across Interstate 25 just south of Pueblo around 10 a.»»»

Dubai: The UAE will experience fair to partly cloudy weather today, the first day of Ramadan, with humid conditions developing overnight and into Thursday morning, and a probability of fog or mist over some western areas, according to the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM). (Click here for the Ra»»»

Millions of dual nationals worldwide are suddenly facing a rush to obtain or renew British passports after the UK government tightened entry rules for people holding more than one citizenship. Many have been caught out by upcoming changes to passport rules for dual nationals, which are due to kick »»»

In today’s fast-paced world, where children are exposed to information, opinions, and influences from every direction, one timeless practice remains deeply powerful - meaningful conversations at home. The foundations of character, resilience, and responsibility are not built in teenage years. They »»»

Manila: In a game-changing move, the government has unleashed a major policy tweak allowing a 100% electricity subsidy for poorest Filipino families. Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos recently unveiled the "auto-enrollment" scheme for millions of target beneficiaries -- families unde»»»

An avalanche in California's Lake Tahoe region has left 10 backcountry skiers missing, authorities say, with six more people stranded and awaiting rescue. The avalanche was reported about 11:30PST (19:30GMT) in the Castle Peak area near the town of Truckee, according to the Nevada County Sheriff's »»»

More than a year after a 33-year-old woman froze to death on Austria's highest mountain, her boyfriend goes on trial on Thursday accused of gross negligent manslaughter. Kerstin G died of hypothermia on a mountain climbing trip to the Grossglockner that went horribly wrong. Her boyfriend is accused»»»

Washington: India’s ambitious rooftop solar expansion plan on Tuesday secured a $197.67 million guarantee from the World Bank Group’s arm. ​ The five-year backing supports refinancing of a $500 million World Bank loan to the State Bank of India for grid-connected solar systems serving commercial an»»»

Bayer subsidiary Monsanto on Tuesday said it would pay $7.25 billion over 21 years to settle class action lawsuits filed by those claiming its Roundup weedkiller caused cancer. File Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Officials for Germany-based Bayer have agreed to pay $7»»»

Heavily armed Guatemalan troops and military police deployed to the country's capital Tuesday, challenging street gangs blamed for killing 11 officers and sparking a major security crisis. President Bernardo Arevala ordered the "Plan Sentinel" operation to break the stranglehold of Barrio 18 and MS»»»

Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday extended greetings to Tibetans worldwide on the occasion of Losar and announced the designation of a senior official as the United States Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues.​ “I extend my warmest wishes to all those celebrating Losar, the»»»

Late-night host Stephen Colbert has accused his network of refusing to broadcast his interview with a Democratic politician over fears of retaliation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). CBS, the network which hosts the programme, denies that it "prohibited" the interview from being aire»»»

Warning: This report contains accounts of sexual assault and violence that some readers may find distressing. Ramia was preparing for a family picnic, on a warm summer day in her village in Latakia province in western Syria, when a white car drove up, she said. Three armed men got out, saying they »»»

"Life is becoming more expensive," complains Alexander, a Moscow-based advertising specialist who works for a big corporation. In the course of one month his monthly food budget soared by more than 22% - from 35,000 roubles (£330; $450) to 43,000 (£406; $555). With Russia's economy hanging somewher»»»

Shares vacillated and oil prices dropped back down Tuesday as Tehran gave an encouraging response during talks with US officials in Geneva on Iran's nuclear programme, after days of escalating rhetoric from President Donald Trump. Also Read: Iran-US talks in Geneva advance on 'guiding principles'Oi»»»