Doha: The Katara International Ramadan Open Classical Chess Championship will begin today at Hall 15 of Katara Cultural Village, with 86 players set to compete in a nine-round Swiss format event. Organised by the Qatar Chess Association (QCA), the tournament will run until March 1. Each round will »»»

1 of 3 | Elfateh Abdullah Idris Adam is one of three leaders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces sanctioned by the United States on Thursday. Photo courtesy U.S. Treasury/Release Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The United States is sanctioning three leaders of Sudan's warring Rapid Support Forces on accusations of co»»»

Most Asia equities fell and oil prices rose on Friday after Donald Trump ratcheted up Middle East tensions by hinting at possible military strikes on Iran if it did not make a "meaningful deal" in nuclear talks. The remarks fanned geopolitical concerns and cast a pall over a tentative rebound in ma»»»

Discussions on Gaza's future must begin with a total halt to Israeli "aggression", the Palestinian movement Hamas said after US President Donald Trump's Board of Peace met for the first time. "Any political process or any arrangement under discussion concerning the Gaza Strip and the future of our »»»

Vazrazhdane Floor Leader Kostadin Kostadinov told journalists in Parliament on Friday that every minister in the caretaker cabinet gives cause for concern, singling out as the most flagrant case caretaker Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Fair Elections Stoil Tzitzelkov, who should resign. Kos»»»

President Iliana Yotova said she would promptly sign a decree relieving Deputy Prime Minister for Fair Elections Stoil Tsitselkov of his duties, provided such a proposal is submitted by caretaker Prime Minister Andrey Gyurov. She made the statement in an interview with bTV, her first since assuming»»»

Israel has raised the alert level of its military along the border with Lebanon, raising questions that Lebanon’s south may again be involved in a regional confrontation should the US attack Iran. Given the heightened tensions between the US and Iran, questions have been asked over whether Hezbolla»»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

Late January’s election in Myanmar may go down not as a turning point for peace, but as a moment that crystallised the country’s descent into an even deeper level of fragmentation while heightening the risk of a wider regional crisis. »»»

North Korea is preparing for a large-scale military parade to mark its Ninth Party Congress, a South Korean lawmaker said Friday, citing satellite imagery. This July 28, 2023, photo shows a military parade in Pyongyang celebrating the 70th anniversary of the end of fighting in the Korean War. File »»»

Venezuela's parliament unanimously approved an amnesty law on Thursday that could free political prisoners, almost two months after President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces. “The law on democratic coexistence has been approved. It has been forwarded to acting president Delcy Rodriguez for»»»

In the final part of his interview with Asharq Al-Awsat, former Jordanian prime minister Ahmad Obeidat, who died earlier this month, recounted in detail his meetings with Iraqi President Saddam Hussein and Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, and disclosed an alleged attempt by Rifaat al-Assad to assas»»»

US President Donald Trump has set a ten-day deadline for Iran to reach a nuclear deal with Washington, saying that failure to comply could trigger decisive measures. The warning comes as the US accelerated its troop buildup in the Middle East. Speaking at the inaugural meeting of his Gaza ‘Board of»»»

Venezuela’s National Assembly on Thursday unanimously approved an amnesty law expected to free hundreds of political prisoners, marking a major shift after years of socialist rule. The measure now heads to interim president Delcy Rodríguez, who proposed it following the removal of former leader Nic»»»

Venezuela's parliament unanimously approved an amnesty law on Thursday that could free political prisoners, almost two months after President Nicolas Maduro was captured by US forces. “The law on democratic coexistence has been approved. It has been forwarded to acting president Delcy Rodriguez for»»»

A Turkish parliamentary commission's approval of a report setting out a roadmap for legal reforms alongside the disbandment of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) group is an important step and the beginning of a fundamental change in Turkish policy, a PKK source told Reuters on Thursday. The commiss»»»

The Israeli army is preparing to carry out “massive and unprecedented” strikes against groups backed by Iran, including the Houthis in Yemen, Hezbollah in Lebanon and armed factions in Iraq, should they join a potential war in the region, revealed Israeli military sources. Iran is applying great pr»»»

Washington: The arrest of former prince Andrew has underlined the striking contrast between Europe, where high-profile, powerful people are being held to account over their links to Jeffrey Epstein, and the United States, where the fallout has been limited. Only one person has been arrested or conv»»»

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright renewed his threat Thursday to pull out of the International Energy Agency, saying Washington would press the organization to abandon a net-zero agenda “in the next year or so.” Speaking on the last day of an IEA ministerial meeting in Paris, Wright said the 52-year»»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un hailed the "radical successes" of the past five years in his speech at the opening of the Ninth Congress of the Workers' Party of Korea, state media reported Friday. Photo by KCNA/EPA SEOUL, Feb. 20 (UPI) -- North Korea kicked off its ruling Workers' Party's Ninth Co»»»

Ankara, Feb. 20 (SANA) Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan described the comprehensive agreement between the Syrian government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) as a “positive development,” saying Turkey is closely monitoring the ongoing integration process in northeastern Syria. Speaking a»»»

Iran held annual military drills with Russia on Thursday as a second American aircraft carrier drew closer to the Middle East, with both the United States and Iran signaling they are prepared for war if talks on Tehran's nuclear program fizzle out. President Donald Trump said Thursday he believes 1»»»

A meeting was held last Monday (16 February) at the Commercial Registry Authority to discuss mechanisms for activating the “One-Stop Shop” system, in implementation of the Prime Minister’s directives to simplify company registration procedures and improve the business environment. The meeting was a»»»

The Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan has amended the procedure for calculating and paying mandatory state social contributions. The decision was adopted in implementation of Law No. 243 dated October 29, 2025, concerning the tax regime and insurance payments. The document covers several areas at »»»

President Donald Trump said on Thursday Iran must reach a deal on its nuclear programme within 10 to 15 days or face “really bad things,” as Tehran warned it would retaliate against US bases if attacked, amid a large American military buildup in the Middle East that has heightened tensions. Preside»»»

The fall of the Assad regime has marked a turning point for civic space in Syria, but the shape of that opening remains uncertain. Accounts from inside the country diverge sharply, offering contrasting pictures of how far public space has truly expanded. Some describe an unprecedented shift. The pe»»»

At Thursday’s Government Info briefing, Minister heading the Prime Minister’s Office, Gergely Gulyás, announced that the government has released Hungary’s strategic crude oil reserves following Ukraine’s decision to halt oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline. The minister described Kyiv’s move as»»»

Venezuela's acting president signed the Amnesty Law after unanimous parliamentary approval, granting pardon for political crimes committed between 1999 and 2026. Venezuela's acting president Delcy Rodríguez presented the initiative for the new law, which is set to take effect, under the premise tha»»»

PoliticsNorth KoreaNorth Korea's Kim Jon Un opens key party congressKate Hairsine with AFP, Reuters, APKim Jong Un lauded North Korea's improving economy as he opened the Workers’ Party congress. Held every five years, the country's most important political event is a forum for the leader to outlin»»»

When US state secretary Marco Rubio toured Hungary and Slovakia last weekend, American liberals were aghast. They were specifically flared up by Rubio openly endorsing the incumbent Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orbán, in the upcoming elections scheduled in April. »»»

North Korea has opened a major ruling party congress in Pyongyang, state media said on Friday, a rare gathering held roughly every five years that analysts say will set national priorities, including nuclear policy. The Workers’ Party congress is the regime’s top political event and often signals p»»»

US President Donald Trump delivered his latest ultimatum to Iran on Thursday during a meeting of the Board of Peace, the Middle East coalition Trump formed to stabilise a region he could soon plunge into a new, weeks-long war. The irony of simultaneously calling for peace and threatening military a»»»

Hamas is holding an election for a new interim leader, a senior Palestinian official familiar with the armed group's affairs has told the BBC. Voting is taking place across Gaza, the occupied West Bank and among Hamas's members elsewhere. The outcome may signal which direction the movement intends »»»

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has unveiled a battery of huge nuclear-capable rocket launchers ahead of a key congress of the nation's ruling party, state media said Thursday. The 600-mm multiple launch rocket system was front and centre as preparations ramped up for the once-in-five-years gatheri»»»

Dubai: Syria, Iran and Japan recorded the steepest petrol price declines globally over the past five years, with India also ranking among the top ten markets where motorists are paying less today than they did in 2021, reflecting shifts in supply dynamics, geopolitics and global crude trends. Sign »»»

Venezuela’s parliament could pass a long-awaited amnesty law Thursday it is hoped will free hundreds of political prisoners. The bill, pushed by interim president Delcy Rodriguez under pressure from Washington, is meant to apply retroactively to 1999, giving hope to families that loved ones jailed »»»

Cuba is running out of time. With petroleum reserves estimated at fewer than 20 days' supply and oil imports at zero for the first time in a decade, the communist island faces its gravest crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse. And the allies it had long counted on are proving as reliable as its »»»

Cuba is running out of time. With petroleum reserves estimated at fewer than 20 days' supply and oil imports at zero for the first time in a decade, the communist island faces its gravest crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse. And the allies it had long counted on are proving as reliable as its »»»

Cuba is running out of time. With petroleum reserves estimated at fewer than 20 days' supply and oil imports at zero for the first time in a decade, the communist island faces its gravest crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse. And the allies it had long counted on are proving as reliable as its »»»

Cuba is running out of time. With petroleum reserves estimated at fewer than 20 days' supply and oil imports at zero for the first time in a decade, the communist island faces its gravest crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse. And the allies it had long counted on are proving as reliable as its »»»

Cuba is running out of time. With petroleum reserves estimated at fewer than 20 days' supply and oil imports at zero for the first time in a decade, the communist island faces its gravest crisis since the Soviet Union's collapse. And the allies it had long counted on are proving as reliable as its »»»