State of emergency declared in Chatkal district due to heavy snowfall - | 24.KG
A Level II state of emergency has been introduced in Chatkal district due to heavy snowfall, the office of the Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative in Jalal-Abad region reported. According to the authorities, schools in the district have switched to online learning because of the weather con»»»
CBL requests Foreign Ministry to instruct employees to only use official foreign exchange bureaux – calls on authorities to close unlicensed foreign exchange shops
In a letter leaked on Libyan media dated 12 February, the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Naji Issa, requested that Libya’s Minister of Foreign Affairs instruct all embassies, missions, and international organizations operating in Libya to advise their citizens to refrain from buying o»»»
Two moderate earthquakes recorded in Gulf region
Dubai: Sultan Qaboos University Earthquake Monitoring Center has reported two moderate earthquakes in the wider Gulf region on Friday, one in the Arabian Gulf and another in Pakistan’s Baluchistan province. The first tremor, measuring 5.2 on the Richter scale, was recorded at 3:08pm local time. Acc»»»
Survivors give new accounts in Chios migrant tragedy
New testimonies have emerged from survivors of the deadly collision between a Coast Guard vessel and a migrant dinghy off the island of Chios that claimed 15 lives on February 3. The depositions, reported Friday by Kathimerini, were taken by a magistrate at the island hospital where injured passeng»»»
Four Centuries-old Trees Declared Protected by Environment and Water Minister
By order of outgoing Environment and Water Minister Manol Genov, four centuries-old trees have been declared protected, the press centre of the Environment and Water Ministry announced on Friday. Three of the trees are approximately 100 years old and are of the quercus cerris (Turkey oak) species. »»»
Police Officers in Kyustendil Detain Man Wanted Through Interpol
Police Officers in Kyustendil detained a man wanted for murder in North Macedonia, the spokesperson for the Regional Directorate of the Interior Ministry in Kyustendil, Katya Tabachka, told BTA on Friday. During an inspection of the Traffic Police, officers found that the 53-year-old man was declar»»»
Japan seizes Chinese fishing boat and arrests captain
Japan seized a Chinese fishing boat Thursday and arrested its captain, authorities said Friday, alleging that the boat was sailing inside Japan's exclusive economic zone. Beijing has called on Tokyo to respect the rights of the vessel's Chinese crew members. Japan seized a Chinese fishing boat and »»»
Berri, Hajjar committed to timely elections, but confusion prevails
As Lebanon prepares for its parliamentary elections, it is still not clear if and how the expatriates will participate. Interior Minister Ahmad al-Hajjar said that despite all the confusion, the elections will be held on time. In 2018 and 2022, expats voted for the 128 seats in Parliament. While th»»»
Tunisia targets foreign investment in 2026 with “sectoral intelligence” and industrial sovereignty strategy
Tunis, February 13, 2026 (TAP) – Tunisia has launched a comprehensive strategy to double foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to 4 billion dinars in 2026, building on a 31% increase in FDI recorded in 2025, says Minister of Economy and Planning...»»»
Abdulmagied Seddiqi: A legacy in UAE’s luxury watch industry
Dubai: For decades, Abdulmagied Ahmed Seddiqi stood at the centre of the UAE’s transformation into one of the world’s most important markets for luxury timepieces. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Through Ahmed Seddiqi and Sons and its parent Seddiqi Holding, he helped »»»
Ministry of Labour and Social Policy Issues Report on Its Activities from January 2025 to February 2026
The Ministry of Labor and Social Policy issued a statement on Friday, detailing Social Minister Borislav Gutsanov's and his team's work from January 2025 to February 2026. Gutsanov reports that one of his successes within his mandate was the inspection of nursing homes for the elderly and the disco»»»
Is your indoor air safe? Abu Dhabi deploys 330 smart sensors to track it
Abu Dhabi is taking a high-tech leap in public health with its Indoor Air Quality Observatory (HawAQM), showcased for the first time at the World Health Expo in Dubai this week. The recently launched observatory by the Abu Dhabi Public Health Centre (ADPHC) relies on hundreds of high-precision sens»»»
Indian retiree wins Dh50,000 in Big Ticket weekly e-draw
Dubai: A 72-year-old retired engineer from India has won Dh50,000 in Big Ticket’s first weekly e-draw of February. Joykutty Mathew, originally from Kerala, received the news while visiting his daughter and son-in-law in Abu Dhabi. Mathew spent more than 25 years working in Dubai before retiring. Du»»»
Sheikh Hamdan’s adorable new pup finally has a name, thanks to 17 million Instagram followers
Dubai: A simple Instagram Story from Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, turned into a viral moment this week. The royal's request for help naming his new puppy reached 17»»»
Serbia to face Germany, Netherlands and Greece in UEFA Nations League
BRUSSELS - The Serbia men's national football team has been drawn to play Germany, the Netherlands and Greece in Group 3 of UEFA Nations League A. The draw ceremony was held in Brussels on Thursday evening. The fifth edition of the Nations League begins on September 24 and ends on November 17. The »»»
Iran’s Red Line: Missile Power is Not Negotiable
The representative of Supreme Leader Imam Sayyed Ali Khamenei and Secretary of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, Ali Shamkhani, declared that “Iran’s missile capabilities are a fundamental element of the country’s defense doctrine and part of its deterrence mechanism,” noting that “from thi»»»
Munich security summit tests future of transatlantic relations
A major security forum is underway at the Munich Security Conference, at a time of high stakes as the European Union seeks to take a more assertive role amid shifting global alliances and tensions with the United States. Marco Rubio is leading a large US delegation to the gathering, signalling Wash»»»
NIS requests new special licence from US Department of Treasury
BELGRADE - The Serbian oil company NIS has submitted a new request to the US Department of the Treasury for a special licence that would enable it to continue to operate without obstructions after February 20, when the current operating licence expires. The request was submitted on February 12, NIS»»»
Next Trilateral Talks on Ukrainian Settlement to Be Held on Feb. 17-18 in Geneva - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The next round of Russia-US-Ukraine negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will be held on February 17-18 in Geneva, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "The next round of negotiations on the Ukrainian settlement will take place in the trilateral Russian-American-Uk»»»
In Munich, Salam stresses Lebanon's stance on nuclear weapons
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam met Friday on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference with Melissa Parke, Executive Director of the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons, a global civil society coalition that won the 2017 Nobel Peace Prize. He commended the organization's leading rol»»»
Libyan holds virtual meeting with US Geological Survey to enhance attractiveness of its mining sector for investment
Libya’s Tripoli based government reported that a virtual meeting was held yesterday (Thursday 12 February), between the Prime Minister’s Initiatives Executive Team, the National Mining Corporation, and the United States Geological Survey (USGS), as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen the strategi»»»
UN Voices Concern Over Criticism of Expert on Palestinian Rights
A UN human rights spokesperson said on Friday she was very worried about attacks on independent UN experts after European governments criticized the organization's special rapporteur for Palestine Francesca Albanese. This follows condemnation from Germany and other states this week of Albanese's al»»»
Kremlin Says Ukraine Talks in Geneva on February 17-18
The Kremlin said Friday that the next round of US-brokered talks seeking to end the war in Ukraine will take place in Geneva on February 17-18, Russian state media reported. "The next round of talks on the Ukrainian settlement will be held in the same trilateral Russia-US-Ukraine format, on Februar»»»
International crew takes off for space station: NASA feed
Cape Canaveral: NASA launched four astronauts to the International Space Station on Friday to carry out the latest research expedition at the orbiting laboratory. The US space agency's Crew-12 lifted off at approximately 5:15 am local time (1015 GMT) aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Cape Ca»»»
DP World names new chairman, group CEO
DP World has appointed Essa Kazim as chairman of its board of directors, the Dubai Media Office said on Friday. Also, Yuvraj Narayan has been appointed as the new group CEO. The announcement comes soon after His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of th»»»
Hungarian opposition leader under pressure from alleged Russian-style compromat
Hungarian opposition leader Peter Magyar, in a Facebook video on February 12, acknowledged the existence of a sex tape recorded secretly in August 2024, which allegedly shows him with his girlfriend at the time. According to analysts, Magyar is taking some political risk by going public preemptivel»»»
Bulgarian Drone Developer Dronamics Launches Multifunctional Defense Platform to Strengthen Europe’s Airspace Security
Bulgarian drone developer Dronamics has unveiled a new defense platform built around its cargo drone, the Black Swan, aiming to fill a major gap in European airspace security. The initiative, announced on Thursday, focuses on continuous airborne early warning and target acquisition to detect potent»»»
Russian Central Bank Cuts Key Rate to 15.5%, Signals More Cuts to Come
Russia's central bank cut its key interest rate by 50 basis points to 15.5% on Friday and signaled that rates could fall further in a bid to shore up the slowing wartime economy, which is struggling with high borrowing costs. Of the 24 analysts surveyed by Reuters ahead of the decision, just ei»»»
From lunar resort plans to Ramadan skies
Things are always bigger, faster and better in Dubai. It's a city built on ambition and scale. That's why the Dubai Moon story has had me intrigued since I moved here last year. Is there anything more 'Dubai' than building a giant, spherical tourist attraction that aims to give guests an out-of-thi»»»
Apple could launch iPhone 17e next week — here’s everything we know
Dubai: Apple is gearing up to unveil its latest affordable smartphone, the iPhone 17e, with industry insiders suggesting an announcement could come as early as next week. If the rumours prove accurate, this marks the second iteration of Apple's "e" series, following last year's iPhone 16e launch. W»»»
China appoints Ma Xueliang as its new ambassador to Libya – after a 10-year gap
According to several Chinese news sites, China has appointed Ma Xueliang as its new ambassador to Libya. This follows the reopening of its Tripoli embassy in November 2026, after more than a decade of closure due to security concerns. China had closed its embassy in Tripoli in 2014 and moved its di»»»
Al-Shaibani discusses Syria’s recovery with European Bank President in Munich
Munich, Feb. 13 (SANA) Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shaibani met with Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), on the sidelines of the 62nd Munich Security Conference. During the meeting, the two sides discussed prospects for strengthe»»»
Are Kamikaze drones from Iran the ultimate threat to US aircraft carriers?
Modern warfare is evolving fast — most notably, and potentially, in the Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz. Drones now form a central part of what's called "asymmetric war". When two sides have unequal military power, instead of matching ships with ships, or missile with missile, the weaker side uses un»»»
Media Review: February 13
POLITICS Trud writes that President Iliana Iotova hands the exploratory mandate to Caretaker PM designate Andrey Gurov and sets priorities for the incoming caretaker cabinet: honest elections, immediate measures to control prices, stabilizing public finances, electricity price regulation, rapid sup»»»
Ramadan at Al Ain Zoo: Family fun, live music and extended hours
Abu Dhabi: Al Ain Zoo, one of the largest in the Middle East, is rolling out a special lineup of activities for the Ramadan, including family-friendly experiences, musical evenings, and the return of the annual Ramadan Zoo Night Run. Click here for the Ramadan prayer timings Also Read: Ramadan 2026»»»
Ramadan 2026 UAE: AI wearables help you fast safer, smarter, healthier
As Ramadan approaches, technology is helping residents fast smarter and safer. In 2026, AI-powered wearables and smart apps are changing the way people monitor their health during the holy month, offering personalised insights into everything from glucose levels to hydration and physical activity. »»»
SpaceX Launches 12th Long-duration Crew to ISS
A SpaceX rocket lifted off from Florida early on Friday with a crew of two US NASA astronauts, a French astronaut and a Russian cosmonaut headed to the International Space Station for an eight-month science mission in Earth orbit. The two-stage Falcon 9 rocket, topped with an autonomously operated »»»
Jailed Istanbul Mayor Dares Erdogan to Call Early Elections Now
Almost one year after he was jailed, Istanbul mayor Ekrem Imamoglu has told Reuters that Tayyip Erdogan should call elections "now" and predicted that the president would lose if he ran again. Imamoglu has emerged in recent years as Erdogan’s main rival, with polls suggesting he could indeed defeat»»»
Romania enters technical recession after two consecutive quarters of GDP contraction in 2025
Romania has entered a technical recession after the economy contracted for a second consecutive quarter, according to data released on Friday by the National Institute of Statistics (INS). Gross domestic product fell by 1.9% in real terms in the fourth quarter of 2025 compared with the previous qua»»»
Hariri kicks off Beirut activity by meeting foreign envoys
Al-Mustaqbal Movement leader ex-PM Saad Hariri kicked off his political activity in Lebanon by meeting U.S. Ambassador Michel Issa at the Center House. Hariri had arrived Thursday in Lebanon and will on Saturday deliver a speech marking the 21st anniversary of the assassination of ex-PM Rafik Harir»»»
A propos - Trump scraps legal basis for climate rules
It's been billed by the White House as the "largest deregulatory action in US history". US President Donald Trump has formally revoked a landmark scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health by driving climate change – a determination that underpins regulations aimed at curb»»»
Watch live: French astronaut Sophie Adenot blasts off to International Space Station
NASA and SpaceX launched four astronauts to the International Space Station on Friday, replacing a crew that left early in the first medical evacuation in the station's history. Sophie Adenot is only the second French woman to travel into space. Watch the launch live on FRANCE 24. The pre-dawn laun»»»
France eyes new space record with 9-month ISS mission for Sophie Adenot
Sophie Adenot is preparing for a nine-month mission aboard the International Space Station, aiming to set a new record for a French astronaut in orbit. She will carry out more than 200 scientific and medical experiments in microgravity while completing intensive training and maintenance work in spa»»»
Trump: Herzog “Should Be Ashamed of Himself” over Refusal to Pardon Netanyahu
US President Donald Trump said Thursday that Israeli President Isaac Herzog’s hitherto refusal to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is “shameful.” “You have a president who refuses to give him a pardon. I think that man should be ashamed of himself, a pardon over this trial that’s going on. »»»
When will UAE moon-sighting committee meet to confirm Ramadan 2026?
Dubai: Each year, the start of Ramadan in the UAE is determined not by a fixed calendar date, but by the sighting of the crescent moon. But how does the process work and what is expected for 2026? The UAE’s moon-sighting committee is expected to meet on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, which cor»»»
Dinar-to-euro exchange rate at RSD 117.3815
BELGRADE- The Serbian dinar's official median exchange rate against the euro is 117.3815 dinars for one euro on Friday, which is a slight change relative to Thursday, the National Bank of Serbia said. The dinar is down by 0.1 pct against the euro m-o-m, down by 0.2 pct y-o-y and down by 0.1 pct rel»»»
Vucic arrives in Munich for Munich Security Conference
MUNICH - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has arrived in Munich, where he will attend the Munich Security Conference. While in Munich, Vucic will hold a series of bilateral meetings with world and European officials, including Chinese FM Wang Yi, European Council President Antonio Costa and EU En»»»
Next Round of Negotiations on Ukraine Scheduled to Be Held Next Week - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The next round of negotiations on Ukraine is scheduled to take place next week, and Moscow will inform about the exact date and timing, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "There is an agreement that it [the round of negotiations] will indeed take place next week. We »»»
No One Refused to Use Dollar, But US Restricted Several Countries in This Right - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - No one refused to use the dollar, it was the United States that restricted a number of countries in this right, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Friday. "As for the dollar, in fact, no one refused to use the dollar. This is an issuing country - that is, the United States, »»»
NASA Says Deploying Joint Crews With Roscosmos Helps Ensure Safety of ISS
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The deployment of joint NASA and Russia's state space corporation Roscosmos crews helps ensure maximum safety for the International Space Station, Josh Finch, a spokesperson for NASA's Space Operations Mission Directorate, told Sputnik. "The International Space Station, of course»»»