Iran and the United States reached an understanding on Tuesday on main "guiding principles" in talks aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, but that does not mean a deal is imminent, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said. Oil futures fell and the benchmark Brent crude contract»»»

Hezbollah rejected on Tuesday the Lebanese government's decision to grant the army at least four months to advance the second phase of a nationwide disarmament plan, saying it would not accept what it sees as a move serving Israel. Lebanon's cabinet tasked the army in August 2025 with drawing up an»»»

The European Commission has announced an investigation into online retailer Shein. File Photo by Hannibal Hanschke/EPA Feb. 17 (UPI) -- The European Commission announced Tuesday that it has opened formal proceedings against online retailer Shein "for its addictive design, the lack of transparency o»»»

Madrid: FC Barcelona's Brazilian midfielder Raphinha has strongly criticized officials following his side's 2-1 defeat in Girona on Monday night, which saw them surrender leadership of La Liga to Real Madrid. Although Pau Cubarsi put Barcelona ahead just before the hour, Girona fought back with goa»»»

Tunis, Feb 17 (TAP) - Tunisian exports of phosphates and their derivatives posted a marked recovery in 2025, up by 15%, after a sharp decline of 26.3% in 2024 which weighed heavily on the country’s financial and trade balances, according to the...»»»

Moscow: Scientists in Saint Petersburg, Russia, have developed a new high-precision device capable of rapidly detecting cellular damage associated with accelerated aging, cancer, and other diseases. According to the Russian Science Foundation, the device demonstrates accuracy 1.5 to 2 times greater»»»

The Fujairah Federal Court of Appeal has upheld a ruling requiring a company and its partners to pay Dh4,943,018 to an individual after failing to settle the remaining value of an agreement involving the transfer of a commercial licence and the right to use an industrial land plot in the emirate. T»»»

US civil rights leader Jesse Jackson has died aged 84. Jackson was a key figure during the US civil rights movement of the 1960s, and was known for being the first African-American to make the jump from activism to major-party presidential politics. Here, we take a look at his life in pictures. Cop»»»

Khalifa University of Science and Technology has announced an expanded portfolio of STEM-based master’s and doctoral programmes, aimed at building national research capacity and developing future scientific talent across key sectors. The university said it now offers 20 PhD programmes across engine»»»

Phnom Penh: A newborn Mekong River Irrawaddy dolphin was spotted on Tuesday, becoming the first newborn calf recorded in the country in 2026, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) said in a news release. The latest-born dolphin calf was seen at the Kampi dolphin pool in northea»»»

Tunis, Feb 17 (TAP) - Some TND 515.3 million in private agricultural investments were approved by the Agency for Agricultural Investment Promotion (APIA) in 2025, up 15.9% compared with 2024, according to APIA data published on Tuesday.Regional...»»»

Tunis, Feb. 17 (TAP) - President of the Tunisian Organisation for Consumer Information (French: OTIC), Lotfi Riahi, called on Tuesday for consumers to moderate their purchases and avoid overconsumption and shopping frenzies during the month of...»»»

Doha, Qatar: The University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) hosted the Sustainable Mobility Symposium, bringing together experts, researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers to explore pathways toward decarbonising transportation and advancing sustainable mobility solutions in Qatar a»»»

In a Chamber judgment on Tuesday in the case of Green Alliance v. Bulgaria (application no. 6580/22) the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) held, unanimously, that there had been a violation of Article 8 (right to respect for private and family life) of the European Convention on Human Rights, t»»»

American, Russian, and Ukrainian delegations have arrived in Geneva for a crucial round of peace talks. After narrowly focused discussions in Abu Dhabi, several key moves from the Russians and Americans suggest that things will be more serious this time around, and that the time to strike a deal is»»»

Greece’s independent corruption watchdog said Tuesday it has discovered irregular state welfare payments worth a total €1.86 million made between 2020 and 2022, and urged authorities to recoup the money. The National Transparency Authority said its audit followed an internal investigation by OPEKA,»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Ministry of Public Health (MoPH) has announced updated working hours for the government health sector during the holy month of Ramadan, taking into account its special nature. The MoPH has stated that all emergency and inpatient services at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) hospitals»»»

Doha, Qatar; Doha Metro and Lusail Tram announced revised operating hours for the holy month of Ramadan, with the new schedules taking effect from the first day of Ramadan, February 18, 2026, to accommodate changes in travel patterns during the fasting period. Under the updated timetable, Doha Metr»»»

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – The United States will return to nuclear testing on an equal basis without massive atmospheric explosions, Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control and Nonproliferation Christopher Yeaw said on Tuesday. “As the President has said, the United States will return to testing»»»

The deterioration in Bitcoin’s market price is feeding directly into El Salvador’s sovereign risk profile, exposing the fiscal and institutional trade-offs embedded in President Nayib Bukele’s flagship digital asset strategy.  »»»

A second round of US-Iran negotiations in Geneva concluded after approximately three hours, with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that the parties reached an understanding on several key principles.  »»»

After the first meeting in Oman this month, about which very little is known, the Iranian Foreign Ministry, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, and International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director-General Rafael Grossi are meeting in Geneva on February 17. »»»

1 of 3 | Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said he will not allow Australians who moved to Syria to join an ISIS caliphate repatriate to Australia, even though they are mostly women and children and didn't choose to travel there. File Photo by Bianca De Marchi/EPA Feb. 17 (UPI) -- A group »»»

The General Command of Fujairah Police has completed preparations to fire the traditional Ramadan iftar cannon throughout the holy month, with the main launch taking place at Sheikh Zayed Mosque in Fujairah, alongside several key locations across the emirate. The initiative aims to revive one of Ra»»»

Abu Dhabi: Leaders of the UAE have extended their congratulations to citizens, residents and Muslims around the world as Ramadan begins on Thursday, marking the start of a month of fasting, reflection and community. UAE President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan said: “With the arriv»»»

Riyadh: For Muslims in Saudi Arabia the first day of Ramadan will fall on Wednesday, the kingdom's royal court announced. The holy month, during which hundreds of millions of Muslims around the world observe a fast from sunrise to sunset, traditionally begins with the sighting of the crescent moon.»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced the working hours for its 31 health centers during the holy month of Ramadan. These centers will be open continuously from Sunday to Thursday. The PHCC indicated that 27 health centers namely, Al Wakra, South Wakra, Al Mashaf, Al Thu»»»

DOHA: The Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC) announced the working hours for its 31 health centres during the holy month of Ramadan. These centres will be open continuously from Sunday to Thursday. The PHCC indicated that 27 health centres namely, Al Wakra, South Wakra, Al Mashaf, Al Thumama, A»»»

Tunis, Feb 17 (TAP) - Speaker of the Assembly of the People's Representatives (ARP) Brahim Bouderbala on Tuesday received Sudan’s Ambassador to Tunisia Bukhari Ghanem Mohamed Effendi, underscoring the strength of relations binding the two...»»»

In the halls of the Bayerischer Hof in Munich, where the 62nd session of the Munich Security Conference convened in February 2026, the atmosphere transcended that of a routine diplomatic gathering addressing scattered global crises. Instead, it felt like a direct confrontation with a profound histo»»»

Egypt’s Health Minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar has issued a ministerial decree replacing the schedules attached to the country’s anti-drug law, implementing a recent constitutional court ruling on the legality of previous amendments. The Health Ministry said Decree No. 44 of 2026 follows a Feb. 16 ru»»»

He emerged from our screens. He’d be nothing without social media, without its ability to transform an absolute nothing into a famous nothing. His improvised videos were considered provocative at first. Provocation then brought attention, and attention brought voter interest. Who is this? Donald Tr»»»

Volodymyr Zelensky's reluctance to hold elections in Ukraine is multi-faced, according to Marco Marsili, geopolitical analyst at CESRAN International and former OSCE election observer. The Ukrainian politician is on thin ice despite optimistic polling numbers: "The reported approval ratings reflect»»»

Doha The Amiri Diwan has announced that His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will receive well-wishers on the occasion of the Holy Month of Ramadan at Lusail Palace on Wednesday evening, the first day of the blessed month, immediately after Taraweeh prayers. M»»»

A container ship sails on the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates, on June 23, 2025. Iran partially closed the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping path, to conduct military drills on Monday. File Photo by Ali Haider/EPA-EFE Feb. 17 (UPI) -- Oil prices climbed on Tu»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amiri Diwan announced on Wednesday that the Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani will receive well-wishers on the occasion of the holy month of Ramadan at Lusail Palace on Wednesday evening, the first day of the blessed month, immediately after Taraweeh prayers. The Amiri Diwan »»»

While UAE and Saudi Arabia spotted the crescent marking the start of Ramadan on Tuesday (Sha’ban 29), several countries in the east such as Brunei, Malaysia and Indonesia were unable to sight the moon. Accordingly, UAE and Saudi Arabia will mark Wednesday, February 18 as the first day of Ramadan, w»»»

Even as the UAE and Saudi Arabia gear up to begin observing Ramadan on Wednesday, Feb 18, several other countries announced that they would consider Thursday, Feb 19, as day one of the holy month. Ramadan is decided by the lunar calendar – so it tends to move each year, which is where the moon-sigh»»»

Police have identified the suspect in a shooting at a high school ice hockey game in Rhode Island that killed two people and injured three others. Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Robert Dorgan, who also used the name Roberta and the surname Esposito, died of an apparent self-inflicted gu»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Amir HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani exchanged congratulatory messages on Tuesday with his brothers, Their Majesties, Excellencies and Highnesses, the leaders of the brotherly Arab and Islamic countries, on the occasion of the advent of the holy month of Ramadan.»»»

Hezbollah’s International and Arab Relations Department strongly condemned the US economic blockade on Cuba and Washington’s move to cut off Venezuelan oil, threatening to halt the country’s economy and disrupt essential services. “The US President’s move is a reckless step, part of a pattern of ac»»»

The Council of Ministers allocated additional expenditures for 2026 under its own budget that will cover the Sofia regional administration's activities of providing security for the dismantled bronze figures and bas-reliefs from the Monument to the Soviet Army, including the rental of scaffolding a»»»

Muslims across the world are preparing to welcome Ramadan 1447, with the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar officially confirming that the holy month will begin on Wednesday, February 18. The announcements follow verified crescent moon sightings in each country, signalling the start of a month of fasting»»»

Doha The State of Qatar has announced that Wednesday (February 18) will mark the first day of the Holy Month of Ramadan, following the sighting of the crescent moon. In a statement issued on Tuesday evening, the Ministry of Endowments and Islamic Affairs said its Moon Sighting Committee had confirm»»»

The government has okayed draft amendments to the Criminal Code introducing harsher penalties for offences committed against minors and underage persons. The amendments also extend the limitation periods for prosecuting perpetrators of this category of offences, the Council of Ministers said in a p»»»

The Council of Ministers adopted an amendment to Council of Ministers Decision No. 144 of March 10, 2022, on granting temporary protection to displaced persons from Ukraine, extending the temporary protection of displaced persons from Ukraine on the territory of Bulgaria by one year, effective from»»»

The Council of Ministers allocated additional expenditures for 2026 under its own budget that will cover the Sofia regional administration's activities of providing security for the dismantled bronze figures and bas-reliefs from the Monument to the Soviet Army, including the rental of scaffolding a»»»

Dubai: More than one billion Muslims around the world are preparing to observe Ramadan 2026, with forecasts indicating that fasting hours this year will be slightly shorter than in 2025. The length of the fast varies significantly from one country to another, depending on geography and latitude, as»»»

The European Union is bracing itself for a fight over a proposed ban on Russian steel imports, as lawmakers attempt to push the restrictions through a legislative backdoor, according to Euronews. Members of the European Parliament and EU member states will begin negotiations next week on whether to»»»

Doha, Qatar: The Holy Month of Ramadan in Qatar starts tomorrow, February 18, 2026. For the benefit of our readers in Qatar, we have made the calendar with the prayer timings for the whole month which can be downloaded here.»»»