The Peninsula 4m

Katara International Ramadan Open Chess tourney begins

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 »»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
UPI 20m

U.S. blacklists 3 leaders of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces militia - UPI.com

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»»»

upi.com
Al Awsat 31m

Stocks Drop, Oil Rises after Trump Iran Threat

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 31m

Hamas Says Path for Gaza Must Begin with End to ‘Aggression’ 

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 »»»

english.aawsat.com
Bulgarian News Agency 37m

Vazrazhdane Leader: Entire Caretaker Cabinet Raises Concerns

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»»»

bta.bg
Novinite 42m

Bulgaria: Political Tensions Rise as Allegations Against Deputy PM for Fair Elections Escalate

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»»»

novinite.com
Al Awsat 43m

Official Contacts Aim to Keep Lebanon out of War on Iran as Israel Raises Readiness on Northern Front 

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 43m

COMMENT: Myanmar’s fragile post‑election balancing act

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. »»»

intellinews.com
UPI 44m

N. Korea preparing for military parade involving 12,000 personnel: lawmaker - UPI.com

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 »»»

upi.com
Al Awsat 1h

Venezuela: Amnesty Law Excludes those who Promoted Military Action

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

Obeidat to Asharq Al-Awsat: I Left Saddam Meeting Sensing he Misread Threat

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
RT 1h

Trump sets deadline for Iran deal

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»»»

rt.com
France24 1h

Venezuela approves amnesty law that could free hundreds of political prisoners

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»»»

france24.com
Al Awsat 1h

Venezuela: Amnesty Law that Excludes those who Promoted Military Action Approved Unanimously

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

Türkiye’s Approval of Peace Roadmap is Important Step, PKK Source Says

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Al Awsat 1h

Israel Keen to Attack Iran’s Regional Proxies before they Can Join the War

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Gulf News 1h

Epstein reckoning: Europe acts as US accountability lags

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»»»

gulfnews.com
Al Awsat 1h

US Renews Threat to Leave IEA

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
UPI 1h

North Korea opens key party congress as Kim touts ‘radical successes’ - UPI.com

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»»»

upi.com
Sana 2h

Erdogan says Syrian government-SDF agreement is positive step toward stability

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»»»

sana.sy
Al Awsat 2h

Trump Warns of 'Bad Things' if Iran Doesn't Make a Deal, as Second US Carrier Nears Mideast

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»»»

english.aawsat.com
Libya Herald 2h

One-Stop Shop system for company registration to be activated – again!

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»»»

libyaherald.com
24 News Agency 2h

Cabinet approves new rules for calculating social contributions in 2026 - | 24.KG

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 »»»

24.kg
France24 2h

Trump sets Iran nuclear deal deadline, Tehran threatens retaliation against US bases

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»»»

france24.com
Al Majalla 3h

Syria's civic space opens...but not for everyone

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»»»

en.majalla.com
The Budapest Times 4h

Gulyás: Government releases strategic oil reserves, further steps against Ukraine under review

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»»»

budapesttimes.hu
Sputnik 4h

Venezuelan Delcy Rodriguez Signs Amnesty Law

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»»»

sputniknews.com
DW 4h

North Korea's Kim Jon Un opens key party congress

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»»»

dw.com
BNE 5h

RAGOZIN: Rubio in Budapest, pulling Orban's puppet strings

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. »»»

intellinews.com
France24 6h

Kim Jong Un opens North Korea’s 9th party congress, highlights economic gains

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»»»

france24.com
BBC 7h

Trump's foreign policy dilemma laid bare by Iran tensions

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»»»

bbc.com
BBC 8h

Hamas holds vote to choose new interim leader, source tells BBC

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 »»»

bbc.com
France24 9h

North Korea flexes nuclear-capable rocket launcher ahead of key congress

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»»»

france24.com
Gulf News 9h

India joins global list where petrol costs dropped the most in five years

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 »»»

gulfnews.com
Gulf News 10h

Venezuela parliament considers amnesty law as prisoners' families wait

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 »»»

gulfnews.com
BNE 11h

COMMENT: Cuba's friends have plenty to say and nothing to give

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 »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 11h

COMMENT: Cuba's friends have plenty to say and nothing to give

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 »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 11h

COMMENT: Cuba's friends have plenty to say and nothing to give

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 »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 11h

COMMENT: Cuba's friends have plenty to say and nothing to give

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 »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 11h

COMMENT: Cuba's friends have plenty to say and nothing to give

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 »»»

intellinews.com