According to preliminary estimates, the gross domestic product (GDP) in January 2026 amounted to 125,718.1 billion soms. Compared to the same period in 2025, it increased by 9 percent, the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan reported. GDP growth at year-end 2025 was 11.1 percent. According»»»

Kathmandu, Nepal: The Qatar-Nepal Business Council held its inaugural meeting in Kathmandu, Nepal, as part of a three-day visit by a Qatari business delegation. The session was co-chaired by Qatar Chamber Board Member and Chairman of the Qatari side of the Council, HE Mohamed bin Ahmed Al Obaidli, »»»

Dubai: Bollywood stars couldn’t help rooting for Team India and showering the jubilant players with praise after their emphatic victory over Pakistan at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 on February 15th in Colombo. From heartfelt messages to celebratory one-liners, the film industry lit up social m»»»

Dubai: Ajman has unveiled the Masfout Gate project in the mountainous Masfout region, marking a significant step in efforts to transform rural areas into tourism and cultural destinations. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.The gateway, inaugurated by His Highness Sheikh »»»

Taxi drivers are escalating their protests as the Attica Taxi Drivers’ Union (SATA) announced a three-day strike from Tuesday through Thursday across the greater Athens region. Drivers from other parts of Greece are expected to join the strike on Wednesday and Thursday. SATA opposes what it calls a»»»

An armed man robbed a supermarket in Piraeus shortly before 9 a.m. Monday, threatening a cashier with a gun and fleeing with an undisclosed amount of money, authorities said. The suspect, who had covered his face, escaped on foot in an unknown direction. Authorities are investigating whether the in»»»

Pleven residents protested Monday for justice in the case over a high-profile car accident that killed 12-year-old Siyana Popova on March 31, 2025. The protesters gathered in front of the city's courthouse before the seventh court hearing in the case was opened. Protesters briefly blocked the inter»»»

Abu Dhabi is set to host IAAPA Expo Middle East 2026 for the first time, marking a significant milestone for the UAE’s fast-expanding entertainment and attractions sector. The decision underscores the emirate’s long-term tourism strategy and its growing role as both a regional and global hub for le»»»

Dubai: Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) are reminded to ensure that their employment documents are in order to ensure that their rights and welfare are well covered while working abroad. One key requirement for OFWs in the UAE is contract verification. According to the Migrant Workers Office (MWO) »»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korean leader Kim Jong Un attended a ceremony in Pyongyang over the weekend to inaugurate Saeppyol Street, which honors North Korean soldiers who helped liberate the Russian region of Kursk, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on Monday. "The meaningful»»»

The EU has to engage in direct negotiations with Russia to resolve the Ukraine conflict, Austrian Chancellor Christian Stocker has said. The EU and UK cut diplomatic communication with Moscow following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. However, several EU leaders have recently called »»»

Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has launched another public attack against Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, just hours after disparaging him during an address at the Munich Security Conference. The Munich gathering honored Zelensky with its annual award for ‘outstanding’ contributions to p»»»

US President Donald Trump has said members of his newly formed Board of Peace have pledged “thousands of personnel” and billions of dollars to a potential international stabilization force that will be tasked with administering Gaza. In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Trump said countries taking »»»

The Committee on International Affairs, Defense, Security, and Migration of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan approved the draft law «On Ratification of the Extradition Treaty between Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia,» signed in Bishkek on July 21, 2025, in its third reading. The document provides legal mechanis»»»

AED Stablecoin LLC, owned by Al Maryah Community Bank, announced a major milestone in its digital transformation journey as its “AEC Wallet” has received approval from the Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates to top up AE Coin through cryptocurrency settlement, in full compliance with the Centr»»»

A long discussion during a prominent cyber event in Dubai highlighted how Security Information and Event Management has evolved far beyond log aggregation and static alerts into intelligent, context-aware, business intelligent Next-Gen Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) platforms. The»»»

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian forces liberated the settlement Minkovka in the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday. "As a result of active actions, Battlegroup Yug liberated the settlement of Minkovka in the Donetsk People's Republic," the statement said. The Ru»»»

The European Investment Bank (EIB) has announced a €34 million commitment for an expansion of solar-power production in Romania. The EIB financing is to support the construction and operation in southwestern Romania of three photovoltaic plants that will have a combined capacity of 190 megawatts (M»»»

The Kremlin said on Monday that what it called "the main issues" would be ‌discussed ‌in peace talks ‌on ⁠Ukraine due to be ⁠held in Geneva this week, including territory. Kremlin spokesman ⁠Dmitry Peskov ‌said ‌that Putin ‌aide Vladimir ‌Medinsky, military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov, and sp»»»

Flooding and fierce winds have pushed Madagascar's death toll from Cyclone Gezani to 59, with more than a dozen people still unaccounted for, the country's disaster agency said on Monday. It is the latest in a string of tropical storms to batter the southern African island in recent months, undersc»»»

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Army Chief Pushes Support for Lebanese Army at Munich Conference 16-02-2026 12:05 PM Lebanese Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal in an »»»

Dubai: A three-year-old child died after accidentally falling into a water pool during his mother’s maternity photoshoot in Bengaluru, police said. The child, identified as Lakshmeer, was the son of Charan and Swathi. The incident occurred on Saturday while Swathi, who is eight months pregnant, was»»»

Iran's foreign minister has arrived in Geneva ahead of a second round of negotiations with the United States, Iranian state television said Monday, as Washington keeps up pressure on the Islamic republic. According to Tehran, "indirect" Iran–U.S. nuclear talks mediated by Oman will be held on Tuesd»»»

Sharjah: In line with the directives of His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, the Sharjah Debt Settlement Committee (SDSC) approved Dh76.974 million to clear the debt of 141 citizens. The generous gesture is aimed at providing a stable a»»»

Dubai’s Islamic Affairs Department has stepped up its preparations for sighting the crescent moon that will mark the start of the holy month of Ramadan, completing readiness measures at its approved observation platform in the Jebel Nizwa area. Click here for Ramadan prayer timings The initiative f»»»

One person was killed Monday in an Israeli drone strike on a van and an SUV in the southern town of Hanine. The Israeli army claimed that the targeted person was a Hezbollah operative who was working on rebuilding military infrastructure for the group in south Lebanon. An Israeli strike near the Sy»»»

Two snowboarders have been confirmed dead after their bodies were recovered following an avalanche in western Austria over the weekend, police said Monday. Avalanches across the Alps have claimed several victims in recent days following heavy snowfall. An avalanche struck two 37-year-old off-piste »»»

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul criticized French defense spending on Monday, calling for Paris to do more to turn calls for European security sovereignty into concrete capabilities. The comments marked the latest crack in relations between the two European giants. French President Emmanuel»»»

Online sales of South Korean products in overseas markets rose to a record high in 2025, government data showed Monday. In this December photo, foreign tourists shop at an Olive Young outlet in Incheon International Airport. File Photo by Yonhap Online sales of South Korean products in overseas mar»»»

Three more illegally operating rehabilitation centers—Hidalgo, Reshenie, and Bishkek-Mayak—have been shut down in the capital. The State Committee for National Security (SCNS) reported. According to the State Committee, as part of an earlier investigation into violations, it was established that un»»»

An earthquake measuring approximately 4.5 on the 12-point MSK-64 scale at its epicenter was recorded today at about 1.14 p.m. The Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan reported. According to preliminary data, the earthquake’s epicenter was located in China: 34 ki»»»

BusinessUnited States of AmericaHow Jeffrey Epstein became so richTimothy RooksHe moved in elite circles, managed money for billionaires and built an aura of mystery around his fortune. But behind Jeffrey Epstein's wealth lay a story more complex — and far more troubling — than it first appeared. h»»»

AX Premium Properties has once again strengthened its position as a leading real estate brokerage in the UAE by securing 2nd place in Top Sales at the highly acclaimed DAMAC Annual Awards 2025. The recognition underscores the company’s sustained excellence, strong market presence, and unwavering co»»»

Vienna: Two snowboarders have been confirmed dead after their bodies were recovered following an avalanche in western Austria over the weekend, police said Monday. Avalanches across the Alps have claimed several victims in recent days following heavy snowfall. An avalanche struck two 37-year-old of»»»

Uber has announced that it will relaunch its Uber Eats service in Romania later this year, following an initial market entry in 2018 and a withdrawal in 2020, as the company said it would focus on other key markets. The re-entry into Romania is part of the biggest year of expansion in the company’s»»»

Russian President Vladimir Putin is in constant contact with Russian negotiators on the situation in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday. "Of course, the president is in constant contact with our negotiators," Peskov told reporters when asked if Putin planned to hold a meeting w»»»

A second Ene Uyu (Mother’s Home) Resource Center has been opened in Bishkek. The Ministry of Labor, Social Security, and Migration of Kyrgyzstan announced. According to the ministry, Child Rights Defenders’ League Public Foundation and Mother’s Home International Foundation signed Memoranda of Coop»»»

Dubai: In a major move aimed at boosting privacy and preventing misuse, the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is reportedly considering a redesign of the Aadhaar card. While there is no official rollout timeline yet, multiple media reports suggest significant changes could be on the »»»

Dubai: As the UAE continues to advance its national industrial strategy and strengthen its position as a global hub for next-generation technology, Kerno, the UAE’s first enterprise-class hardware manufacturer, today reaffirmed its strategic collaboration with Intel, a global leader in semiconducto»»»

Global Village has announced a special family offer this Ramadan, coinciding with its 30th season. In line with the UAE’s Year of Family, Global Village is offering families four entry tickets for just Dh30, with additional tickets available as an add on for Dh7.50 each. “It’s the perfect opportuni»»»

Dubai: Saudi Arabia’s Public Security has urged citizens and residents to report visit visa holders who overstay their permitted period, warning of fines of up to SR50,000 and imprisonment for up to six months for failing to notify authorities. Also Read: Saudi Arabia deports more than 1,200 law vi»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un (C) inaugurated a new housing district for families of soldiers killed in the Ukraine war, state media reported Monday. In this photo, Kim and his daughter, Kim Ju Ae (back-L), meet bereaved family members in their new home on Saeppyol Street. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL»»»

Japan's economy grew slightly during the fourth quarter of 2025. File Photo by Franck Robichon/EPA Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Japan's economy grew ever so slightly during the fourth quarter of 2025, government data showed Monday, narrowly avoiding a second straight quarter of contraction that would have met »»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic has undergone personnel changes. Absattar Syrgabaev has been dismissed from his post as Minister of Transport and Communications. Meder Mashiev, Minister of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision, has also been dismissed. Talantbek Solt»»»

Young men suspected of kidnapping a person have been detained in Chui region of Kyrgyzstan. The press service of the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the region reported. According to the press service, citizen N.I. filed a report with the Department of Internal Affairs of Chui district on Fe»»»

Tunis, Feb. 16, 2026 (TAP) – The Prime Ministry said, on Monday, that the working hours for public administrations, local authorities, and public institutions during the holy month of Ramadan 2026 (1447 AH) will be as follows: Monday to Thursday:...»»»

Dubai: Morocco’s AS FAR, also known as the Royal Army club, have lodged an official complaint with the Confederation of African Football (CAF) following crowd disturbances during their African Champions League match against Egypt’s Al Ahly at Cairo International Stadium. Also Read: Fifa president I»»»

Geneva, Switzerland: A train derailed early on Monday in southern Switzerland, police said, adding that people were likely to be injured as a result. "Derailment of train, probably with injuries," regional police said in a post on the social media platform X, adding that the derailment occurred at »»»

Voter mobilization ahead of the upcoming snap elections is high, with 56% declaring firm readiness to cast a ballot, a level that could result in turnout comparable to that of spring 2021, according to data from the Market Links polling agency. The findings come from a nationally representative sur»»»

The Israeli security cabinet has approved a proposal to register large areas in the West Bank as “state property” for the first time since occupation began in 1967 following the Six-Day War. The new decision builds on a move by the cabinet last weekend, when it made it easier for Jewish settlers to»»»