Sheikh Khaled arrives in New Delhi for AI summit
On behalf of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, has arrived in India to attend the AI Impact Summit, taking place in New Delhi until February 20. Upon arrival at the airport, he was received by Jyotira»»»
Air Force One being given an exterior makeover, including new colours
The US presidential jet is getting a new paint design that will include one of President Donald Trump's preferred colour choices for the White House and his hotels, gold. Air Force One and other planes used by high level US officials, such as First Lady Melania Trump are being repainted gold, deep »»»
Third Conservative Canadian MP defects to Carney's Liberals
A Conservative member of parliament from Alberta has defected to the Liberal Party bringing Prime Minister Mark Carney closer to a majority in the House of Commons. In a post on social media, Carney announced that Matt Jeneroux, who represents a constituency in Edmonton, has joined the Liberal cauc»»»
Vucic, Macron discuss India AI Impact Summit 2026, role of Serbia, France in new world
NEW DELHI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday in New Delhi about the India AI Impact Summit 2026, as well as the place and role of Serbia and France "in a new world whose emergence we are witnessing." Vucic and Macron held a discussion after»»»
Romania’s stolen elections were only the start: Inside the EU’s war on democracy
Romania’s 2024 presidential election was already one of the most controversial political episodes in the European Union in recent years. A candidate who won the first round was prevented from contesting the second. The vote was annulled. Claims of Russian interference were advanced without public e»»»
Repressive structures still operating in Venezuela, rights group says - UPI.com
The son of opposition leader Juan Pablo Guanipa, Ramon Guanipa, speaks to the press in Maracaibo, Venezuela, on February 10. Juan Pablo Guanipa was at his residence in the city of Maracaibo, where he will serve house arrest after being detained hours after his release from prison, his son, said. Ph»»»
The hidden danger drivers face before iftar
Sharjah Police have urged motorists to remain calm and patient on the roads during Ramadan, warning that rushing to reach destinations — particularly in the minutes before iftar — significantly increases the risk of serious traffic accidents. The call comes as part of the force’s Ramadan awareness »»»
“As if I Ate” mosque in Istanbul embodies story of frugality that became lasting legacy
Istanbul: In the heart of the historic Fatih district in Istanbul, Turkiye, where daily life intersects with the features of Ottoman history, stories lie hidden among the old alleyways, reaching beyond the walls of mosques and the bustle of markets. Among these stories stands a mosque, small in siz»»»
Vucic, Macron discuss India AI Impact Summit 2026,role of Serbia, France in new world
NEW DELHI - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday in New Delhi about the India AI Impact Summit 2026, as well as the place and role of Serbia and France "in a new world whose emergence we are witnessing." Vucic and Macron held a discussion after»»»
Tesla drops 'Autopilot' to comply with California ruling - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Tesla Cybertruck is on display during the Tokyo Auto Salon 2026 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba-Prefecture, Japan, in January. Tesla will no longer market its "Autopilot" driver-assistance system in California. File Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI | License Photo Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Tesla will stop using »»»
Dubai Municipality opens recreational plazas in Lehbab 1 and 2 and Nazwah
In line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to develop Dubai’s countryside and rural areas into some of the most beautiful and distinctive in the world, and as part of ongoing efforts to enhance »»»
Antonis Manitakis, prominent legal scholar and former minister, dies at 82
Antonis Manitakis, emeritus professor at the Law School of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a former government minister, has died at the age of 82. According to reports, he had been hospitalized in an intensive care unit in recent days. In a statement, the university’s rectorate expres»»»
Peru's political fragility laid bare as another leader falls to congressional vote
Peru will again swear in a head of state chosen by Congress rather than by direct vote, after legislators removed José Jerí from office barely 130 days into his interim presidency. The decision, approved on February »»»
Palo Alto Networks acquires Israeli cybersecurity startup Koi for $400mn
US cybersecurity giant Palo Alto Networks announced its intent to acquire Israeli startup KOI for $400mn. This comes just a week after Palo Alto acquired another Israeli information security company, CyberArk, for $25bn. T»»»
Protests erupt across Lebanon after VAT and gasoline price hike
The Lebanese Cabinet's decision to increase gasoline prices and raise the value-added tax has sparked widespread protests and political opposition, with demonstrators blocking major roads in Beirut and other cities. In res»»»
Georgia’s economy lifted by shift towards Global South
Another sign yet that Georgia’s worsening elations with the West is not deterring investment came in February, when the first phase of Eagle Hills Georgia’s Tbilisi Waterfront residential project sold out on its opening day. »»»
PANNIER: Drama in Kyrgyzstan much more than a rift between “Eki Dos”
President Sadyr Japarov’s sudden dismissal of his friend and security service chief Kamchybek Tashiyev on February 10 sent shockwaves through Kyrgyzstan. Japarov offered up reasons for the decision and said it will not aff»»»
Baku military court sentences former Nagorno-Karabakh leader to 20 years in prison
The Baku Military Court sentenced former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism and financing of terrorism on February 17. »»»
Baku military court sentences former Nagorno-Karabakh leader to 20 years in prison
The Baku Military Court sentenced former Nagorno-Karabakh state minister Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on charges including crimes against peace and humanity, war crimes, terrorism and financing of terrorism on February 17. »»»
Renewables exceed 50% of Poland’s installed power capacity in 2025
Renewables accounted for more than 50% of Poland’s installed electricity capacity at the end of 2025, and for the first time ever their share in annual power generation surpassed 30%, the Ministry of Climate and Environment said on February 17. »»»
Croatia’s PM condemns far-right chant by coalition MP, but says government remains stable
Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenković on February 17 condemned the behaviour of a lawmaker from a key coalition partner who appeared in a video praising a World War Two-era pro-fascist leader, but said the incident would not threaten the stability of his government or its parliamentary majority.»»»
Largest protest in Kosovo's recent history backs former KLA leaders on trial in The Hague
Thousands of people gathered in Pristina on February 17 for what organisers described as the largest march in Kosovo’s history, rallying under the slogan “Justice, not politics” in support of former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders on trial in The Hague. »»»
Students continue vigil in Sarajevo as protests enter fifth day after fatal tram crash
For the fifth consecutive day, demonstrators gathered on the rain-soaked streets of Sarajevo on February 17, demanding accountability following last week’s fatal tram accident that claimed the life of a 23-year-old student and left four others injured. The protests were smaller than in previou»»»
Obeidat to Asharq Al-Awsat: Gaddafi Tried to Assassinate King Hussein with Missile Given to Wadie Haddad
In the second installment of his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, former Jordanian prime minister and intelligence chief Ahmad Obeidat recounts details of a missile plot to assassinate King Hussein, which he says was backed by Muammar Gaddafi and carried out through operatives linked to Wadie Haddad»»»
First woman envoy for Palestine dies in France: family
Paris, France: Leila Shahid, the first woman diplomat representing Palestine abroad, died in southern France aged 76, her family said. "She died today," her sister Zeina told AFP. She did not provide further details. "Leila Shahid, the iconic ambassador of Palestine, has left us. This is a huge los»»»
No Other People Were Present at Petrohan Lodge on Night of Three Deaths, Evidence Points to Suicide, Authorities Say
There were no other people present at the Petrohan mountain lodge on the night when three people died there, Deputy Appellate Prosecutor of the Sofia Appellate Prosecution Office Natalia Nikolova said during a joint briefing by the prosecution service and the police. Three men were found shot dead »»»
President Is No Longer to Be Held Responsible for Caretaker Cabinet following Latest Constitutional Revisions - BSP Leader
Commenting on the Cabinet line-up proposed by caretaker prime minister-designate Andrey Gurov on Wednesday, Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) leader Krum Zarkov said that each minister will ultimately be judged by their results. ”However, one thing is clear — following the latest constitutional amend»»»
Spain luxury hotel scammer booked rooms for one cent, say police
Spanish police have arrested a 20-year-old man suspected of hacking a hotel booking website and reserving luxury rooms priced at up to €1,000 ($1,180; £870) per night for just one euro cent. He was detained while staying at a Madrid hotel, where he is accused of having racked up more than €20,000 o»»»
Qatar Meteorology warns of chilly weather with lingering dust
Doha, Qatar: The Qatar Meteorology Department (QMD) has warned the public of chilly weather with lingering dust, light fog, and the possibility of further fog formation later, with northeast to northwest winds, light to moderate in speed, on Wednesday. In an advisory shared on its official platform»»»
Hungary's Fidesz submits resolution rejecting Ukraine’s EU bid
Lawmakers from Hungary’s ruling Fidesz party on February 17 submitted a draft resolution to parliament opposing Ukraine’s EU membership and calling on the government to reject further support that could draw the bloc deeper into the war, state news agency MTI writes. »»»
Polish payment system BLIK’s owners reportedly mull potential IPO at $2bn valuation
The owners of Polish mobile payment system BLIK have held preliminary discussions regarding a potential initial public offering in Warsaw that could value the company at up to $2bn, Bloomberg reported on February 17. Accor»»»
MOSCOW BLOG: Imperialism is back
The Geneva peace talks on ending the war in Ukraine broke up yesterday with no concrete results. There were no announcements nor any readout of what was discussed. However, US envoy Steve Witkoff released an upbeat post on social media saying the talks were “positive”. A report by the Russian news »»»
Iran & Russia plan navy drills as US military presence grows
Dubai: Iran and Russia are set to launch joint naval manoeuvres in the Sea of Oman on Thursday, Iranian media reported, as a massive US military build-up and escalating rhetoric continue to stoke tensions across the Gulf despite ongoing diplomacy between Tehran and Washington. The drills come at a »»»
Vucevic: Pristina's parade circus another slap in face of international law
BELGRADE - Commenting on a "military and police parade in Pristina to mark 18 years since the unilateral and illegally declared independence of the so-called Kosovo," Serbian Progressive Party leader Milos Vucevic, who is also adviser to the president of Serbia on regional affairs, said on Wednesda»»»
Palalic, Parolin discuss anti-Serb violence in Kosovo-Metohija
THE VATICAN - The head of Serbia's parliamentary friendship group with Italy, the Holy See and the Sovereign Order of Malta, MP Jovan Palalic, met with the Holy See's Secretary of State Pietro Parolin in the Vatican on Wednesday. "Palalic and Parolin discussed the relations between Serbia and the H»»»
Qatar Charity begins implementing Iftar project in 42 countries
DOHA: Qatar Charity has begun the implementation of its Iftar project in 42 countries worldwide, as part of this year's Ramadan campaign "Good Starts With You". In a press release, Qatar Charity revealed the details of the Iftar project in the Republic of Djibouti, where thousands of people from th»»»
Bulgaria: Who's Who in Andrey Gyurov's Caretaker Cabinet
"The list of ministers will be made up of people with experience, expertise and decency." That was Andrey Gyurov's benchmark when he was named Bulgaria's next caretaker prime minister. A look at the names he announced shows this description largely holds up, though not without nuance. This is Bulga»»»
Berlin Film Festival slammed over Gaza ‘silence’
Dozens of film industry figures, including Oscar-winning actors Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, have signed an open letter accusing the Berlin International Film Festival of “anti-Palestinian racism” over its refusal to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza. The letter, published on Tuesday in Variety »»»
Ukrainian disruption of Russian oil pipeline triggers emergency in EU state
Slovakia has declared a state of emergency following Ukraine’s decision to block vital Russian oil supplies to the country, TASR news agency has reported. The state of emergency will be in effect from Thursday until September 30 at the latest, it added, citing Kiev’s refusal to transit Russian oil »»»
Cabinet approves restructuring of administrative units of Finance Ministry
Doha, Qatar: Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defense Affairs HE Sheikh Saoud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan Al-Thani chaired the Cabinet's regular meeting held on Wednesday morning at the Amiri Diwan. Following the meeting, Minister of Justice and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs H»»»
TISP Leadership Insinuates Connection between Caretaker Cabinet and Petrohan Case
There Is Such a People (TISP) Deputy Floor Leader Stanislav Balabanov told reporters in Parliament on Wednesday that the Andrey Gurov caretaker cabinet can be named Petrohan. Balabanov was making a reference to the three bodies found with gunshot wounds near the Petrohan Pass on February 2, which w»»»
Over 24,000 patients in the past three years for Dental Elite clinics and growing interest in prevention among Romanians
The latest internal analysis conducted by Dental Elite, a chain of dental clinics providing comprehensive dental treatments in Bucharest and Brașov, highlights a growing interest among Romanians in preventive oral healthcare over the past three years. Between 2023 and 2025, Dental Elite doctors tre»»»
Dozens of settlers storm Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on first day of Ramadan
Occupied Jerusalem: Dozens of settlers on Sunday stormed the courtyards of the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound on the first day of the holy month of Ramadan, under the protection of Israeli occupation forces. WAFA news agency reported that dozens of settlers entered the compound and performed Talmudic ritu»»»
Veltol Holding strengthens its market position with accelerated growth in 2025 and announces new investments
After a challenging economic year that affected most business sectors, Veltol Holding – the Romanian technology company specializing in renewable energy, energy storage systems, intelligent energy management solutions (EMS), as well as building management systems (BMS) and automation – doubled its »»»
RAK Ruler pardons 407 prisoners on occasion of Ramadan
His Highness Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, has ordered the release of 407 prisoners from the emirate's correctional and punitive establishments and pledged to settle their financial liabilities on the advent of Ramadan. The prisoners’ release co»»»
Ministry of Education launches National Scholarship Initiative in Nuclear Engineering
Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE), in cooperation with the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (MECC) and the Civil Service and Government Development Bureau (CSGDB), on Wednesday launched the National Scholarship Initiative to sponsor Qatari students pursui»»»
Russian, Cuban Foreign Ministers Exchange Views on Current Global Issues
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla exchanged views on current issues on the global and regional agenda at a meeting in Moscow, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday. "On February 18, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey »»»
Fire Breaks out Near Iran's Capital Tehran, State Media Says
A fire broke out in Iran's Parand near the capital city Tehran, state media reported on Wednesday, publishing videos of smoke rising over the area which is close to several military and strategic sites in the country's Tehran province, Reuters reported. "The black smoke seen near the city of Parand»»»
US Judge Blocks Deportation of Columbia University Palestinian Activist
A US immigration judge has blocked the deportation of a Palestinian graduate student who helped organize protests at Columbia University against Israel's war in Gaza, according to US media reports. Mohsen Mahdawi was arrested by immigration agents last year as he was attending an interview to becom»»»
UAE to see fair, mild weather throughout Ramadan, NCM says
Dubai: The UAE is set to experience generally fair and moderate weather during the holy month of Ramadan, which falls this year in the latter half of February and the first half of March, the National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) said. In a report covering the period from the start of Ramadan until »»»