Work Within Negotiation Groups on Situation in Ukraine Underway - Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The work within the framework of the negotiating groups on the situation in Ukraine is underway and it is difficult, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday. "The work [of the negotiating groups on the situation in Ukraine] is underway, and then everything, as [head of t»»»
Tucker Carlson ‘a phony’ – ex-Israeli PM
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett denounced US talk show host Tucker Carlson for his brief visit to Israel, calling him “a chickens**t” and “a phony.” Carlson, a conservative commentator who questions Israel’s influence on US foreign policy, traveled to the country to interview Mike Huc»»»
What did Quintet ambassador discuss with Haykal in Yarze?
Army Commander General Rodolphe Haykal has discussed, in a meeting in Yarze with the ambassadors of the Five-Nations Group - the U.S., Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, and France, a preparatory meeting that will be held next week in Egypt before the Lebanese Army support conference that will be held in »»»
Bulgaria: Syrian National Sentenced to Four Years for Sexual Assault and Theft in Sofia
A 37-year-old Syrian citizen has been sentenced to four years in prison following a conviction for committing acts intended to satisfy sexual desire without intercourse and for extorting BGN 50, according to the Sofia District Prosecution Office. The case stems from an incident on September 6, 2023»»»
'Systemic failures' led to Louvre robbery, inquiry finds
Paris, France: "Systemic failures" led to the $100-million robbery at the Louvre museum in Paris last year, MPs leading an inquiry said on Thursday, raising pressure on embattled director Laurence des Cars. Presenting an interim assessment of their work after 70 hearings, inquiry leaders Alexandre »»»
How self-drilling “e-seeds” dropped by drones can mitigate Aral Sea disaster
Climate change is largely driven by human activity – industrial emissions and the overuse of natural resources. Those who study the field know that one of the most striking examples of environmental mismanagement is the drying of the Aral Sea. »»»
Brazil's Lula targets $20bn India trade as he begins Asia tour with AI summit
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in India on February 18 for a state visit targeting $20bn in bilateral trade for the year, up from $15.2bn in 2025, as he seeks to deepen ties with one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. »»»
Brazil's Lula targets $20bn India trade as he begins Asia tour with AI summit
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in India on February 18 for a state visit targeting $20bn in bilateral trade for the year, up from $15.2bn in 2025, as he seeks to deepen ties with one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. »»»
Israel Canada becomes Israel’s biggest real estate developer through historic Acro acquisition
Israel Canada is set to acquire Acro's operations for ILS3.1bn ($990mn), turning Israel Canada into the largest real estate company in Israel. Representing a 10% premium over market value, the transaction will lead the company to an estimated combined valuation of ILS10bn ($3.2bn), Globes repo»»»
Brazil's Lula targets $20bn India trade as he begins Asia tour with AI summit
Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived in India on February 18 for a state visit targeting $20bn in bilateral trade for the year, up from $15.2bn in 2025, as he seeks to deepen ties with one of the world's fastest-growing major economies. »»»
Armenia outlines tech priorities, focusing on AI, semiconductors, biotech and high-tech engineering
Armenia will prioritise artificial intelligence (AI), data science, biotechnology, semiconductor design and high-tech engineering solutions as part of a strategic push to strengthen its technology sector, Deputy Minister of High-Tech Industry Ruben Simonyan said on February 17. »»»
COMMENT: US strike on Iran is all but inevitable with Trump backed into a corner
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt held a press conference on February 18 in which she indicated that a US strike on Iran is an increasing possibility. With the Iranians threatening to put a chokehold on cr»»»
Slovakia declares oil emergency and cuts fuel supplies to Ukraine
The Slovak government has declared an oil emergency and the country’s key refinery, Hungarian MOL-owned Slovnaft, has cut fuel exports to Ukraine to keep its products only for the domestic market. Slovakia has been facing »»»
Slovakia declares oil emergency and cuts fuel supplies to Ukraine
The Slovak government has declared an oil emergency and the country’s key refinery, Hungarian MOL-owned Slovnaft, has cut fuel exports to Ukraine to keep its products only for the domestic market. Slovakia has been facing »»»
Slovakia declares oil emergency and cuts fuel supplies to Ukraine
The Slovak government has declared an oil emergency and the country’s key refinery, Hungarian MOL-owned Slovnaft, has cut fuel exports to Ukraine to keep its products only for the domestic market. Slovakia has been facing »»»
Constitutional Court Dismisses Challenge to Constitutionality of Counter-Corruption Commission Election Procedure
The Constitutional Court has dismissed a motion, submitted by Velichie, MECh, and Vazrazhdane, to declare unconstitutional the nomination commission for selection of members of the Counter-Corruption Commission and terminated the proceedings. The ruling was adopted unanimously. In its reasoning, th»»»
Caretaker Economy and Industry Minister to Tackle Rising Prices in Coordination with Other Ministries
Newly appointed caretaker Minister of Economy and Industry Irina Shtonova took on the post from Peter Dilov in a changing of the guard ceremony here on Thursday. Outlining her priorities, Shtonova said she would take decisive steps to curb rising prices and stressed that the issue would be addresse»»»
Tunisia’s Embassy in South Africa promotes Tunisian olive oil
Tunis, Feb. 19 (TAP) - Tunisia’s Embassy in South Africa organised an event to taste Tunisian olive oil, reflecting the recommendations and outcomes of the “Diplomacy for Tunisian Olive Oil” day held on 22 December 2025 at the International...»»»
Poland launches 5-6 year drive to catch UK on income
Poland will catch up with the UK within 5-6 years in GDP per capita adjusted for price levels, Finance and Economy Minister Andrzej Domański said on February 18. Domański thus reacted to the words of Prime Minister Donald »»»
Slovakia declares oil emergency and cuts fuel supplies to Ukraine
The Slovak government has declared an oil emergency and the country’s key refinery, Hungarian MOL-owned Slovnaft, has cut fuel exports to Ukraine to keep its products only for the domestic market. Slovakia has been facing »»»
Fujairah makes Guinness World Records with honey pollen scientific workshop
Fujairah has secured a place in the Guinness World Records after hosting the world’s largest scientific workshop on pollen in honey, bringing together 358 scientists, experts, researchers and students in a landmark educational event. Organised by the Fujairah Environment Authority in strategic part»»»
Former Environment Minister Genov Praises His Team
Former Environment Minister Manol Genov noted that he is leaving the ministry in good shape its various environmental policy areas and gave a high assessment of his team’s work at the Ministry of Environment and Water in Sofia on Thursday, the Ministry’s press service reported. He presented caretak»»»
Fair Elections, Stability, and Continuation of Key Infrastructure Projects are Priorities for New Regional Development Minister
The newly appointed caretaker Minister of Regional Development and Public Works Angelina Boneva officially took over the management of the department from her predecessor, the former minister Ivan Ivanov. At the handover ceremony, Boneva stated that her main mission over the next three months will »»»
Former Minister of Regional Development Says Good Progress Was Made on Key Projects
Former minister of regional development and public works Ivan Ivanov wished success to the caretaker government during a handover ceremony at the Ministry in Sofia on Thursday, the ministry's press service reported. He said that he leaves the ministry in good condition, with good progress on many o»»»
Bulgaria Focuses on Innovation-Driven Growth Under New Caretaker Minister
Timely implementation of EU-supported programmes and the development of the innovation ecosystem are among the priorities of Irena Mladenova, Minister of Innovation and Growth in the new caretaker government of Prime Minister Andrey Gurov. At a ceremony at the ministry, Mladenova took over the post»»»
Thirty-six samples selected as winners at Tunisia’s 9th National Olive Oil Competition
Tunis, Feb. 19 (TAP) -Thirty-six samples were selected as winners in the 9th edition of the National Olive Oil Office (ONH) competition for the best Tunisian extra virgin olive oil, the ONH announced on Thursday.The winning entries were distributed...»»»
US Amasses Strike Force for ‘Unprovoked Aggression’ Against Iran – Analyst
The US military buildup in the Middle East isn’t about defense — it’s aimed at “inflicting serious damage on Iran,” Dmitry Drozdenko, military analyst and chief editor of the Fatherland Arsenal portal, tells Sputnik. Since there has been no official attack on Israel or the US by Iran, we are witnes»»»
British couple handed 10 year sentence in Iran on spying charges - UPI.com
Evin Prison in Tehran where British couple Craig and Lindsay are beginning a 10 year sentence after being convicted on spying charges. Photo by Stringer/EPA-EFE Feb. 19 (UPI) -- Two Britons detained in Iran while on a round-the-world motorcycle trip have been sentenced to 10 years in prison by a re»»»
Gaffe-ridden Olympic commentary prompts Italy's Rai sport chief to resign
It was a moment of national pride for Italians watching the glitzy opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics live on state broadcaster Rai earlier this month. But for Paolo Petrecca, whose gaffe-ridden commentary of the event went viral and became a national embarrassment, it signalled »»»
Foregone Revenue from Forced Shutdowns of Kozloduy NPP Unit 6 Amounts to BGN 18 Mln, CEO Says
The foregone revenue from ungenerated electricity due to two forced shutdowns of Unit 6 at the Kozloduy nuclear power plant in December 2025 and February 2026 will amount to BGN 18 million, and this should not be described as losses, said the plant’s Chief Executive Director Ivan Andreev on Thursda»»»
Former Minister of Culture Marian Bachev Hands Over His Post "With Head Held High"
During the handover ceremony of the cabinet on Thursday former minister of culture Marian Bachev stated that he is turning over his post "after 400 days in office, with head held high and a feeling of completed duty". "I might have offended some people voluntarily or involuntarily, but institutiona»»»
Sharjah Police launch Ramadan crackdown on begging
Sharjah: Under the slogan “Begging is a Crime, and Giving is a Responsibility,” Sharjah Police have launched a community awareness campaign aimed at combating begging and promoting responsible charitable giving during the holy month of Ramadan. The campaign, organised by the Security Media Departme»»»
Wiring fault scammers allegedly netted €662,000 in weeks
A man has been arrested in southern Greece for allegedly belonging to a ring of scammers that used the increasingly widespread home wiring fault ploy to steal well over half a million euros from vulnerable people in just weeks, police said Thursday. Apart from the 22-year-old man, police are seekin»»»
Zhelyazkov Dismisses All Deputy Ministers Before Power Handover to Gurov's Caretaker Government
Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov dismissed all deputy ministers in his government before the caretaker government of his successor, Andrey Gurov, took office on Thursday, the press service of the Council of Ministers told BTA. Gurov's caretaker government was sworn in at the National Assembly earlie»»»
Outgoing Environment Minister Genov Praises His Team
Outgoing Environment Minister Manol Genov noted that he is leaving the ministry in good shape its various environmental policy areas and gave a high assessment of his team’s work at the Ministry of Environment and Water in Sofia on Thursday, the Ministry’s press service reported. He presented caret»»»
GERB Leader: Caretaker Cabinet Is Entirely President Iotova's Responsibility from This Point On
Speaking at GERB’s headquarters on Thursday, party leader Boyko Borissov said that the newly appointed caretaker government was the responsibility of President Iliana Iotova from that point on. “From this point on, the government is entirely Ms. Iotova’s responsibility and there is no backing out,”»»»
Krunic, Danilina through to Dubai semi-finals
DUBAI - The Serbian-Kazakh duo of Aleksandra Krunic and Anna Danilina is through to the women's doubles semi-finals at the Dubai WTA tennis tournament after a 6-1, 4-6, 10-6 quarter-final victory over the Ukrainian-US pair of Lyudmyla Kichenok and Desirae Krawczyk on Thursday. Krunic and Danilina, »»»
US Air and Naval Surge Raises Iran Strike Risk, but Peace Remains Possible - Military Expert
The probability of US aggression against Iran is high, although a window of opportunity for a peaceful resolution still exists, military expert Yury Lyamin, senior research fellow at the Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies (CAST), tells Sputnik. The expert points out that the US is a»»»
Leftist lawmaker Jose Maria Balcazar becomes Peru’s interim president - UPI.com
Peru's new interim president, Jose Maria Balcazar, speaks at a press conference in Lima, Peru, on Wednesday. Peru's political crisis led to the ouster of its eighth president in nearly a decade. It took a surprising new turn with the appointment of octogenarian congressman Balcazar as interim presi»»»
New bill seeks sustainable reintegration program for returning overseas Filipinos
A new measure has been filed in the Philippines which eyes the establishment of a reintegration program for returning overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and for those whose overseas employment contracts have ended. Senate bill no. 1776, also known as the “National Reintegration Bill,” has been propos»»»
Aoun Receives from Macron Invitation to Participate in International Conference in Support of Lebanese Army
President of the Republic, General Joseph Aoun, received an invitation from his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron, to co-chair the international conference in support of the Lebanese Armed Forces and the Internal Security Forces, scheduled to be held in Paris on March 5. In the invitation, French »»»
Parliament Backs First-Reading Liability Exemption for Discrimination Protection Committee Members
The National Assembly passed at first reading on Thursday amendments to the Protection against Discrimination Act exempting members of the Commission for Protection against Discrimination (CPD) from criminal and civil liability for acts in office, except for intentional offences. The Council of Min»»»
Caretaker Environment Popov Vows to Carry Forward Work in Key Areas
Caretaker Environment Minister Julian Popov said he is committed to working in a spirit of continuity on the key areas of the ministry’s activities, the ministry said in a press release. He took over the post from Manol Genov. The two discussed items on the Ministry’s agenda where work needs to con»»»
E-Commerce Product Reels: Turn Your Catalog Into Scroll-Stopping Short Videos
Online shopping has fundamentally changed how customers discover and purchase products. The days when a clean product photo and a detailed description were sufficient are long gone. Today’s consumers want to see products in action, understand how they work, and visualize themselves using them. They»»»
New Caretaker Government in Bulgaria: Stabilizing Elections or Testing Ground for Political Realignment?
The announcement of the new caretaker cabinet led to a wide-ranging discussion on its role, extending beyond the immediate task of organizing elections. While questions of neutrality, competence, and public trust dominate the debate, analysts increasingly raise the possibility that the ministers se»»»
Iran, Russia Stage Mock Rescue of Hijacked Ship in Joint Naval Drills Near Strait of Hormuz - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Iran, Russia Stage Mock Rescue of Hijacked Ship in Joint Naval Drills Near Strait of Hormuz 19-02-2026 14:46 PM Iranian and Russian naval f»»»
House Speaker Nabih Berri meets Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Walid Al-Bukhari - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe House Speaker Nabih Berri meets Saudi ambassador to Lebanon Walid Al-Bukhari 19-02-2026 13:59 PM Latest News Urgent News House Speaker Nabi»»»
Syrian Finance Ministry, Lazard discuss financial sector reform
Damascus, Feb. 19 (SANA) Syrian Finance Minister Mohammed Yisr Barnieh met with representatives of the French advisory firm Lazard to discuss financial sector reform and institutional development. The ministry said on its Telegram channel on Thursday that discussions focused on supporting governmen»»»