Poland enters turbo growth
Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland is entering a “year of turbo-acceleration,” following what he called a 2025 economic breakthrough. Speaking at the Warsaw Stock Exchange, he described Poland as an “oasis of stability and growth” despite geopolitical tensions, highlighting GDP growth of 3.6% l»»»
RAK coastal homes drive record property price gains
Dubai: Ras Al Khaimah’s residential market recorded exceptional growth in 2025, with prime apartment prices climbing to Dh2,428 per square foot, marking the highest level in the current property cycle. Strong capital appreciation across coastal destinations, including Al Marjan Island, Al Hamra and»»»
Syria Interested in Russia's Military Presence in Region - Lavrov
The Syrian government is interested in Russia maintaining its military presence in the region, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said. "As for our military facilities, discussions are ongoing. Let me reiterate: the Syrians are keen for our presence to endure," Lavrov told Al Arabia broadcaster»»»
Personnel changes at Jalal-Abad Regional Capital Construction Department - | 24.KG
Nurbek Taalai uulu has been appointed head of the Jalal-Abad Regional Capital Construction Department. The Ministry of Construction announced. The corresponding order was signed by Minister of Construction, Architecture, Housing and Communal Services of Kyrgyzstan Nurdan Oruntaev. Prior to his appo»»»
Trump Slams UK Over Diego Garcia Lease Deal, Says Base Needed in Event of Iran Attack
US President Donald Trump on Wednesday sharply criticized the UK over a lease deal concerning Diego Garcia island, the site of a major US military base, saying it may be needed to counter a "potential attack" by Iran if nuclear talks collapse. "I have been telling Prime Minister Keir Starmer, of th»»»
How Israel is spraying herbicides on Syrian crops
Israeli planes sprayed chemicals on farmland in Quneitra, Syria in late January and early February, 2026. Farmers say that their crops yellowed and died in just a few days and that they lost dozens of hectares of farmland. There have been similar reports of the Israeli Army spraying fields in south»»»
Jeenbek Kulubaev outlines Kyrgyzstan’s position on EU secondary sanctions - | 24.KG
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubaev met with a delegation of the European Parliament, the Foreign Ministry’s press service reported. According to the ministry, the sides discussed issues of bilateral cooperation, interparliamentary dialogue, and the regional agenda. »»»
Palestine and the cost of Arab division
The Middle East is used to conflict, but the current moment is fundamentally different. Wars overlap, alliances are in flux, and long-standing assumptions about external protection and the regional order are eroding. For the Arab world, this is not simply another phase of instability; it is a strat»»»
Carnival parade honouring Lula finishes last amid political backlash
A Rio Carnival parade paying tribute to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva has been relegated after finishing last in the city’s top samba school competition, as critics denounced elements of the performance that mocked conservatives and traditional family values. A Carnival parade honouring Brazi»»»
Russian, Chinese, Iran warships conduct 'surprise' Hormuz Strait exercises, amid massive US military Mideast buildup
Russia, China and Iran have deployed naval vessels for joint exercises in the strategic Strait of Hormuz region under the “Maritime Security Belt 2026” framework, Russian and Iranian state media reported. Global Surveillance, a geopolitics think-tank, described the move as a “surprise”. The Moscow »»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Chinese tourist numbers to Japan plunge as diplomatic tensions drag on
Mainland Chinese visitor numbers to Japan fell sharply in January, tumbling 60.7% year on year, as the countries’ ongoing diplomatic spat weighed on travel, according to data from the Japan National Tourism Organization. T»»»
Rubio holds secret talks with Raúl Castro's grandson on Cuba transition
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been conducting clandestine discussions with the grandson of Cuba's ageing former leader Raúl Castro as Washington explores options for political change on the island, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Axios. »»»
Rubio holds secret talks with Raúl Castro's grandson on Cuba transition
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has been conducting clandestine discussions with the grandson of Cuba's ageing former leader Raúl Castro as Washington explores options for political change on the island, according to people familiar with the matter cited by Axios. »»»
Holidaying Israeli soldier faces war crimes prosecution in Chile
A Brussels-based human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Chile seeking the investigation and prosecution of an Israeli-Ukrainian former military sniper accused of participating in the deadly siege and destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. »»»
Holidaying Israeli soldier faces war crimes prosecution in Chile
A Brussels-based human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Chile seeking the investigation and prosecution of an Israeli-Ukrainian former military sniper accused of participating in the deadly siege and destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. »»»
Holidaying Israeli soldier faces war crimes prosecution in Chile
A Brussels-based human rights group has filed a criminal complaint in Chile seeking the investigation and prosecution of an Israeli-Ukrainian former military sniper accused of participating in the deadly siege and destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. »»»
Bulgaria sets April 19 election after president approves caretaker cabinet
Bulgaria's President Iliana Yotova approved a caretaker government proposed by prime minister-designate Andrey Gyurov on February 18 and said she would call a snap parliamentary election for April 19. Gyurov, former deputy»»»
COMMENT: Illusions of peace mask the enduring drivers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Expectations that 2026 could prove decisive in ending the war in Ukraine are premature and risk misreading the logic driving Moscow, argues Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and founder of political analysis firm R.Politik, in a comment for Carnegie Politika. »»»
COMMENT: Illusions of peace mask the enduring drivers of Russia’s war in Ukraine
Expectations that 2026 could prove decisive in ending the war in Ukraine are premature and risk misreading the logic driving Moscow, argues Tatiana Stanovaya, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center and founder of political analysis firm R.Politik, in a comment for Carnegie Politika. »»»
Agriculture minister signs support agreements for 2 food factories
AMMAN — Minister of Agriculture, Saeb Khraisat, on Wednesday signed support agreements for two food factories as part of the project to stimulate industries in industrial and development estates and municipalities.This step comes within the framework of the Ministry of Agriculture's efforts to stim»»»
'A very MAGA agenda': Is Trump’s Board of Peace meant to replace the United Nations?
On the eve of the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s "Board of Peace" initiative in Washington, FRANCE 24 spoke to historian and UN expert Alanna O’Malley about how the body reflects the MAGA movement's agenda seeking to further institutionalise US power at a global scale. Dozens of w»»»
Musk cuts Starlink access for Russian forces - giving Ukraine an edge at the front
Evidence is mounting that Elon Musk's decision to deny Russian forces access to his Starlink satellite-based internet service has blunted Moscow's advance, caused confusion among Russian soldiers and handed an advantage to Ukraine's defenders. But for how long? And what can Ukraine's military achie»»»
Two paths, one pressure: The quiet guilt of modern motherhood
Motherhood is often framed as a choice between two opposing paths: returning to work or staying at home. Yet what is rarely acknowledged is that neither option comes without an emotional cost. No matter which path a woman takes, guilt seems to follow - quietly, persistently, and often invisibly. Fo»»»
Saudi Okaz casts Saad Hariri’s return as “a glimmer of hope for Lebanon’s Sunnis” – Ya Libnan
Share: Photo- Saad Hariri gestures towards the gathered crowd during an event to mark the 21st anniversary of the assassination of his father and former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik al-Hariri, in Beirut, Lebanon, February 14, 2026. REUTERS/Mohamed Azakir The Saudi newspaper Okaz, in an article by »»»
Former Palestinian delegate to France Leïla Shahid dies age 76
Leïla Shahid, a former Palestinian delegate-general to France who became one of the most recognisable political figures of the Palestinian cause, died on Wednesday at the age of 76. Leila Shahid, the first woman diplomat representing Palestine abroad, died in southern France aged 76, her family sai»»»
More than 80 UN member states condemn Israel’s plans to expand in West Bank
UN missions from 85 member states on Tuesday condemned what they described as Israel’s expanding control in the West Bank, warning it could amount to de facto annexation. In a joint statement, they said unilateral measures violated international law and urged Israel to reverse them immediately. A t»»»
White House urges Iran to strike deal as Trump renews military threat
Washington (United States) (AFP) – The White House warned Iran it would be “wise” to reach a deal with the United States, as President Donald Trump again raised the prospect of military action amid renewed, Oman-mediated talks. The remarks come as tensions remain high following »»»
Russia hosts Cuban foreign minister, urges US not to blockade Cuba
MOSCOW: Russian top officials hosted the Cuban foreign minister for talks in Moscow on Wednesday and spoke out in support of the island nation as it faces blackouts and severe fuel shortages worsened by a US oil embargo. Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with his Russian counterpart Sergey»»»
Indian parents pardon driver after losing toddler son visiting father in UAE
Sharjah: An Indian expat in the UAE and his wife living back home say they have pardoned the driver whose car struck their toddler son following which he died in Sharjah last week. As reported by Gulf News last week, 22-month-old Alan Rumi died in the freak accident on Wednesday while visiting his »»»
India's Chief of Naval Staff meets heads of Russian, Thai, Lanka navies at IFR
Visakhapatnam: Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS), Admiral Dinesh K. Tirpathi had an interaction with chief of Russian Navy at the International Fleet Review here on Wednesday. According to spokesperson of the Indian Navy, the CNS held an interaction with Admiral Aleksandr Alekseevich Moiseev, Commande»»»
Faster, error-free results? What CBSE’s Class 12 shift means for UAE students
The Central Board of Secondary Education will introduce On-Screen Marking (OSM) for Class 12 board exams from 2026, shifting from traditional physical evaluation of answer books to a fully digital system – a reform the board said is a step towards “greater accuracy and transparency”. Also Read: CBS»»»
Hamas is reasserting control in Gaza despite its heavy losses fighting Israel
When a US-imposed ceasefire halted the Gaza War last October, Hamas's war for survival against Israel switched into a battle for control at home. The war had left the group's disciplined military units shattered into guerrilla forces, and most of its leaders killed; Gaza's buildings and infrastruct»»»
Paris prosecutor makes public appeal for Epstein victims in France to come forward
The Paris prosecutor on Wednesday made a public appeal for victims of late US sex offender Jeffrey Epstein to come forward during an interview on a French radio show. Laure Beccuau said she was ready to receive testimony from any victims and that her office has jurisdiction when a perpetrator »»»
What day again? French Muslims confused and frustrated over rival Ramadan dates
Just after sundown on Tuesday, the new moon began to make the rounds of the earth, setting the starting date for the holy month of Ramadan for either February 18 or 19, depending on the country. But in France, a squabble over when to call the crescent sighting split Muslim leaders, prompting rival »»»
She was headhunted for VP roles in UAE — until she said she was pregnant
Dubai: Ahead of a job interview, Aisha Mohamed had rehearsed answers about strategy, revenue growth and AI transformation. She was ready to talk about leadership, performance metrics and scaling teams. Sign up for our daily business newsletter, Cheques & Balances.Instead, she found herself explaini»»»
Tête à tête - New Delhi and Kabul 'on the same page' for striking Pakistan, Pakistani defence minister says
In an interview with FRANCE 24, Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif addressed the security situation in Pakistan, claiming that the terrorist attacks in the country are the result of a "proxy war" waged by India in complicity with the Taliban government in Kabul. He also spoke abo»»»
Fifth day of hunger strike for freedom of Venezuelan political prisoners
Relatives of Venezuelan political prisoners staged a fifth day of hunger strike Wednesday on the eve of a parliament sitting they hope will result in passage of a long-awaited amnesty law. Outside the "Zona 7" prison in the capital Caracas, five women from an initial group of about a dozen lay on m»»»
Department of Education backs down on anti-DEI directive after lawsuit - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Secretary of Education Linda McMahon speaks with protesters against transgender athletes competing in women's sports outside the Supreme Court in January. The Department of Education backed down on its February 2025 "Dear Colleague" letter that demanded schools stop practicing diversity, e»»»
Acting President of Venezuela meets Qatar's Prime Minister
Caracas: HE Acting President of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez met Wednesday in Caracas with Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani. During the meeting, HE the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs»»»
Canada-Qatar relations enter promising new phase: Envoy
Ashraf Siddiqui HE Karim Morcos, Ambassador of Canada to Qatar, has affirmed that the steadily growing relationship between Canada and Qatar — now spanning more than five decades — is entering an exciting new phase, marked by deepening political, economic, and cultural cooperation. Speaking at a re»»»
Russia showcases rich heritage at Darb Al Saai Cultural Week
Ashraf Siddiqui The Russian Cultural Week concluded on a high note at Darb Al Saai, offering residents and visitors in Qatar a vibrant celebration of heritage, art, and friendship. The event was inaugurated last Thursday by HE Sheikh Abdulrahman bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar’s Minister of Culture, alon»»»
Venezuelan acting president receives Prime Minister
Tribune News Network Caracas Acting President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez received Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs His Excellency Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Caracas on Wednesday. The Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs conveyed the greetings of»»»
Renowned tennis player Hady Habibvisits EAA’s First Assalam School
Tribune News Network Doha Lebanese-American tennis star Hady Habib inspired students and educators during a special visit to First Assalam School, an initiative of Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, a global foundation dedicated to advancing education and development. Launched in 2019, the First»»»
Qatar Charity begins implementation of iftar projects around the world
Tribune News Network Doha With the support of the Qatari people, Qatar Charity (QC) launched its iftar project from the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan in 42 countries worldwide as part of this year’s Ramadan campaign, ‘Good Starts With You’. In the Republic of Djibouti, thousands of people »»»
HEALTH MINISTER MEETS SAUDI AMBASSADOR
Minister of Labour HE Dr. Ali bin Smaikh Al Marri held a meeting with Ambassador of Kenya to Qatar HE Mohamed Nur Adan on Wednesday. The discussion focused on bilateral cooperation between Qatar and Kenya labour, exploring avenues to strengthen and further develop these collaborative efforts. (QNA)»»»
Trump adviser calls for Fed economists to be 'disciplined'
One of Donald Trump's most senior economic advisers has said a group of economists should be "disciplined" for a Federal Reserve study which argued that US firms and consumers have borne the brunt of the president's tariffs. National Economic Council director Kevin Hassett said the report, publishe»»»
'I wanted my story to help others': Gisèle Pelicot memoir launches in 22 languages
Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman whose husband was convicted of inviting dozens of men to rape her unconscious body, has released her memoir, recounting the horrors she endured and why she chose to go public in a trial that shocked the world. Released in 22 languages worldwide, "A H»»»