Iran dismisses Trump’s nuclear claims as ‘big lies’
Iran has rejected accusations that it is seeking nuclear weapons, denouncing US President Donald Trump’s latest remarks as false and misleading. Trump has repeatedly demanded that Tehran dismantle its nuclear program and curb its ballistic missile capabilities. In his State of the Union address on »»»
Inside Iran’s calculus: Why Tehran sees concessions as riskier than war
Dubai: Iran’s leadership appears to be making a stark strategic calculation as tensions with the United States intensify — that yielding to Washington’s demands could pose a greater threat to regime survival than the dangers of military confrontation. The New York Times, citing analysts and officia»»»
US promises not to ‘interfere’ in French affairs – media
US Ambassador to France Charles Kushner has pledged not to “interfere” in French internal affairs after a diplomatic row over the killing of a right-wing activist. The US described the incident as a manifestation of rising “violent radical leftism” in France. Paris took offense, taking the statemen»»»
Kerala to Keralam: UAE Malayalis split over state's name change proposal
Dubai: A proposal to rename the south Indian state of Kerala as “Keralam” has sparked debate among the UAE’s large Malayali community, with many welcoming the cultural assertion while others question its timing, practicality and global recognition. The discussion follows India’s Union Cabinet appro»»»
The family-owned soda firm that still uses returnable glass bottles
In the US alone, 127 billion plastic bottles are purchased every year, according to one estimate. However, one soft drinks firm in the Midwest is keeping old school tradition alive by continuing to sell its products in returnable glass bottles. For almost a century, until the 1960s, soda bottles in»»»
Trump prefers diplomatic solution to reach agreement with Iran
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump said he prefers a diplomatic solution to reach an agreement with Tehran on its nuclear program, but stressed the United States will never allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon.In his annual State of the Union address before Congress Tuesday eve»»»
Trump says tariffs to remain in place despite court ruling
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- US President Donald Trump affirmed tariffs will remain in effect despite a recent Supreme Court ruling overturning them, stressing that trade agreements concluded prior to the decision will stay in place.Speaking at the annual State of the Union address before a joint s»»»
US congratulates Kuwait on Nat'l Days
WASHINGTON, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- The United States on Wednesday congratulated the State of Kuwait, its leadership, government and people, on the 65th National Day and 35th Liberation Day anniversaries.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement, "On behalf of the United States of America, I c»»»
OIC chief congratulates Kuwait leadership on nat'l days
JEDDAH, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation Hissein Taha congratulated His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah as well as the government and people of Kuwait on t»»»
Rubio warns oil sanctions to be re-tightened if Cuba violates 'spirit' of easing
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned Wednesday that restrictions would be added back on Cuba's imports of Venezuelan oil if Havana violated the "spirit" of a recent easing of the US embargo. Noting that oil imports would be allowed via Cuba's small private sector, Rubio told reporters in St Kit»»»
HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering hosts 2nd Industry and Govt Advisory Board meet
Tribune News Network Doha Esteemed leaders and decision makers from across Qatar’s business community gathered at Education City for the second meeting of Hamad Bin Khalifa University’s (HBKU) Industry and Government Advisory Board (IGAB).Organised by HBKU’s College of Science and Engineering (CSE)»»»
Syrian officials announce 'mass escape' from ISIS detention camp last month - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Members of the Syrian security forces stand in front of the gate of the al-Hol camp, which houses families of suspected ISIS fighters, after the Syrian government took control of the area, in Hasakeh province, Syria, on Jan. 21. The Syrian government said Wednesday that there was a "mass e»»»
Cuban coast guard kills 4 gunmen on US-flagged speedboat
A group of armed men aboard a US-registered speedboat reportedly opened fire on Cuban border guard forces in the island’s territorial waters, escalating already strained relations between Havana and Washington. According to Cuba’s Interior Ministry, the incident occurred on Wednesday near the north»»»
4 dead on U.S.-registered speedboat in shootout with Cuban border guards - UPI.com
The Cuban flag is raised during a ceremony to reopen the Cuban embassy to the United States in Washington, D.C., on July 20, 2015. Officials at the Embassy said Wednesday that a shootout between Cuban border guards and people aboard a U.S.-registered boat near the Cuban coast left four people dead.»»»
High court asked to mandate fair market value on foreclosures for taxes - UPI.com
Associate Justice Elena Kagan expressed concern Wednesday that if the government were forced to pay the fair-market value of a house minus the taxes, counties would no longer foreclose because it would be too costly to make up the difference between that value and whatever they receive via auction»»»
Cuba says four shot dead on US-registered speedboat
Cuba's Interior Ministry has announced that four men on a US-registered speedboat were shot and killed after being intercepted in Cuban waters. In a statement, the ministry said that the speedboat's passengers opened fire on a coast guard vessel that approached them. Six additional passengers were »»»
Trump considers ordering banks to collect citizenship data – FT
The White House is weighing an executive order that would force banks to collect citizenship information from customers, the Financial Times has reported. The new order would represent a significant new push in US President Donald Trump’s drive to curb undocumented migration, the outlet wrote on Tu»»»
US abstains from anti-Russia vote at UN
The US has abstained from a UN General Assembly vote on a Kiev-backed resolution condemning Russia’s actions in the Ukraine conflict. The resolution on Tuesday, delivered four years after the escalation of the conflict, urged an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire. In the UN General Assemb»»»
U.S. Treasury Department sanctions ships, companies, people working with Iran - UPI.com
1 of 5 | French residents hold Iranian flags as they gather in support of the Iranian protests, in front of the Eiffel Tower in Paris in January. The U.S. government sanctioned more than 30 businesses, vessels and people Wednesday for aiding Iran. File Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI | License Photo »»»
Iran Cannot Be Crippled by Loss of Leadership - Araghchi
Even if the US does manage to assassinate Iran’s leaders, there is a well-established mechanism in place that ensures succession, Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi explains. He also points out that the Iranian system does not depend on individuals but is instead supported by the Iranian people»»»
Christophe Leribault appointed director of Louvre in post-heist shake-up - UPI.com
1 of 5 | President of Chateau de Versailles Christophe Leribault speaks during a press conference on the "The Forbidden City and the Palace of Versailles" exhibition in the forbidden city in Beijing, China, on April 1, 2024. On Wednesday, he was appointed as the new director at the Louvre Museum. F»»»
Amir congratulates Prime Minister of the Netherlands
Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani sent a cable of congratulations to His Excellency Rob Jetten on the occasion of his swearing-in as Prime Minister of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, wishing him success in carrying out his duties, and further progress and development for the »»»
Colombia’s president formalizes request for constituent assembly - UPI.com
Colombian President Gustavo Petro has been the main advocate of the initiative to reform Colombia’s Constitution. He first raised the possibility of a constituent assembly nearly two years ago and revived the proposal in recent months. Photo by Ricardo Maldonado Rozo/EPA Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Colombian »»»
Mexico's Sheinbaum: Trump and I discussed 'El Mencho's' capture - UPI.com
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum speaks at a press conference at the National Palace in Mexico City on Wednesday, ruling out potential problems for the FIFA World Cup despite a wave of violence that swept the country after an operation in Jalisco on Sunday that killed Nemesio Oseguera, alias "El»»»
Swiss bar fire victims to get solidarity payout
The Swiss government has announced an emergency payout of 50,000 francs ($65,000; £48,000) for the victims of the deadly fire at the ski bar resort of Crans-Montana on New Year's Eve. The so-called solidarity contribution will go to each of the 115 injured and the families of the 41 who died, the F»»»
Amnesty Int’l Calls on Lebanese Authorities to Deliver Justice, Truth, Reparations for Israeli War Crimes Victims - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Amnesty Int’l Calls on Lebanese Authorities to Deliver Justice, Truth, Reparations for Israeli War Crimes Victims 25-02-2026 19:56 PM The L»»»
Surviving Strike, Shamkhani Resumes Central Role in Iran’s War Room
Ali Shamkhani, who taunted Israel after being pulled alive from the rubble of his Tehran home following a strike in June 2025, has survived at the center of Iranian policy-making during its most testing military confrontations and diplomatic endeavors. The 70-year-old former Revolutionary Guard com»»»
Pope Leo to make his first papal trip to Africa in April - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Pope Leo XIV delivers on the main balcony of St. Peter's Basilica the Urbi et Orbi message on Christmas Day in Vatican City. The pope will visit Africa in April. File Photo by Stefano Spaziani/UPI | License Photo Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Pope Leo XIV will make a 10-day trip through Africa visiting»»»
Parliament Adopts Procedural Rules for Election of Central Bank Deputy Governor
The National Assembly on Wednesday adopted procedural rules setting out the terms and procedure for nominating a candidate for Deputy Governor and Head of the Issue Department of the Bulgarian National Bank (BNB), for holding the candidate’s hearing before the National Assembly’s Committee on Budge»»»
Countries Issuing Middle East Travel Advisories as Iran Tensions Rise
Several countries have begun withdrawing dependents of diplomatic personnel and non-essential staff from some locations in the Middle East, or advising citizens to defer travel to Iran, amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran. Here are some of the moves: AUSTRALIA: The government has tol»»»
US Unveils New Iran Sanctions in ‘Maximum Pressure’ Effort
The United States on Wednesday announced fresh sanctions targeting Iran, pressing on with what Washington calls its "maximum pressure" campaign ahead of talks between both sides in Geneva. President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened strikes if Iran does not cut a deal on its nuclear program. T»»»
Larry Summers quits teaching at Harvard after Epstein probe
Former US treasury secretary and Harvard president Larry Summers is retiring from his roles at the Ivy League university after its review into his ties with the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Harvard said it had accepted Summers's resignation as co-director of the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Bu»»»
Two Bears Complete Long Journey from Argentina Zoo to Belitsa Sanctuary in Bulgaria
Two bears from an Argentinian zoo successfully completed a long journey to the Belitsa bear sanctuary on Wednesday, to become the first bears ever flown from South America to Bulgaria, according to the Four Paws Foundation, which led the relocation project with support from Bulgarian and internatio»»»
Mexico threatens legal action against Musk
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has announced she is weighing a lawsuit against billionaire Elon Musk after he claimed she is controlled by drug cartels. Musk wrote the comment on Monday after Mexican authorities announced the killing of Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes, the leader of the Jalisco New»»»
US embassy to provide passport services at West Bank settlements
The US is preparing to start offering passport services in Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank for the first time. A statement posted on Tuesday to the US embassy's X account said consular officers "will be providing routine passport services" to US citizens in the settlement of Efrat on »»»
Parliament Rejects President’s Veto on Election Code Revisions, Sparkling Intragroup Division
Parliament Wednesday rejected, 126-86 with 11 abstentions, President Iliana Iotova's veto on amendments to the Election Code, which limit to 20 the number of voting sections in Bulgarian elections in non-EU countries. The vote of the MPs from the Socialists' BSP - United Left group was critically i»»»
US slaps fresh sanctions on Iran on eve of Geneva talks, Hezbollah draws red lines
Dubai: The United States on Wednesday announced a new round of sanctions targeting Iran’s oil trade and weapons networks, intensifying what Washington calls its “maximum pressure” campaign even as Iranian negotiators travelled to Geneva for high-stakes nuclear talks. The US Treasury Department said»»»
Indian PM Modi tweets in Malayalam to hail Kerala’s name change to Keralam
Dubai: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken to social media in Malayalam to mark Union Cabinet Committee’s approval to rename the south Indian state of Kerala as “Keralam”. In his tweet, Modi praised the willpower of the state’s people and said the move strengthens the bond with India’s ri»»»
NASA Moves its Artemis II Moon Rocket off the Launch Pad for More Repairs
NASA moved its grounded Artemis moon rocket from the launch pad back to its hangar Wednesday for more repairs. The slow-motion trek at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center was expected to take all day. The 322-foot (98-meter) Space Launch System rocket had spent a month at the pad ready for potential lif»»»
President Iotova Signs Decree Terminating Powers of Interior Ministry Secretary General Rashkov
Following a decision by the Council of Ministers, President Iliana Iotova Wednesday signed a decree terminating the powers of Chief Commissioner Miroslav Rashkov and dismissing him from his post as Secretary General of the Ministry of the Interior, the head of State's Press Secretariat said. /DD/»»»
Hungary and Slovakia in standoff with Ukraine over broken Russian oil pipe
This story is a part of the weekly newsletter about economy, defence and tech in the eastern flank of Nato, How we cee it. Tensions between Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine reached new heights over the past week, as it became clear that Russian oil hasn’t been flowing to the two EU countries through »»»
Casey Means to appear before Senate on surgeon general nomination - UPI.com
1 of 2 | Nominee for surgeon general Dr. Casey Means will face the U.S. Senate Wednesday. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Dr. Casey Means is scheduled to appear before the Senate Wednesday to discuss her confirmation to become surgeon general. Means, 38, a friend of H»»»
Anthropic: Is Pete Hegseth threatening the US AI jewel?
BusinessUnited States of AmericaAnthropic: Is Pete Hegseth threatening the US AI jewel?Arthur SullivanAnthropic, a much vaunted AI startup, is firmly in the Trump administration's sights. The Pentagon wants complete access to its models, despite safety and ethical concerns. https://p.dw.com/p/59OGW»»»
Trump gives no clear signal on Iran in State of the Union
In a world on edge waiting to see what US President Donald Trump does next in the Middle East, he provided no clear signal when he presented the longest ever State of the Union address. The world's most powerful commander-in-chief decided not to make his comprehensive case for possible military act»»»
Germany's Merz secures 120 aircraft Airbus deal in Beijing talks with Xi
China will buy up to 120 aircraft from European aviation giant Airbus, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said following talks with President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Wednesday. Merz's visit comes as Berlin and Beijing seek to build on their decades-old economic ties to weather global uncertainty spa»»»
About Trump’s Complex Strategic Calculations on the Confrontation with Iran: Israeli Explainer
US President Donald Trump’s approach to a potential confrontation with Iran is driven by layered strategic calculations, senior researchers at the Zionist entity’s Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) found on Wednesday. In an article published in the Israeli newspaper Israel Hayom on Wed»»»
WCC-DB Signals Willingness to Join Forces with Radev to Replace Supreme Judicial Council
In Bulgaria, "We Continue the Change-Democratic Bulgaria" (WCC-DB) has signaled its readiness to collaborate with any parliamentary formation, including a yet-to-be-announced group aligned with President Rumen Radev, to secure a parliamentary quota for the Supreme Judicial Council (SJC). A qualifie»»»
Report: Israel killed more journalists that any other country in 2025 - UPI.com
Protesters at a World Press Freedom Day event in Kuala Lumpur hold a banner that reads, "Targeting Journalist is A Crime" and a poster of Palestinian-American Al Jazeera reporter Shireen Abu Akleh who was killed while reporting in the West Bank in 2022. Israel accepted she was likely killed by IDF »»»
US and South Korean Militaries will Have Joint Drills in March as Tensions with North Korea Escalate
The US and South Korean militaries said on Wednesday they will conduct their annual springtime exercises next month to bolster their countries’ combined defense capabilities against a backdrop of a deepening diplomatic freeze with nuclear-armed North Korea. The Freedom Shield drills is set for Marc»»»
West won’t deploy troops to Ukraine without Russian approval – Telegraph
Western European nations will not deploy troops to Ukraine without Russian consent, The Telegraph reported Tuesday, citing anonymous sources. The UK-French initiative to deploy troops to Ukraine has been promoted as a deterrent against Russia which could follow a potential peace deal. Russian Presi»»»