Gulf News 34m

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 »»»

gulfnews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Renewables to contribute 26% of India’s power generation by end-FY2026

Renewable energy is expected to account for 26% of India’s total electricity generation by the end of FY2026, even as demand conditions remain relatively subdued, according to a report by Infomerics Ratings cited by PV Magazine on February 18. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

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. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Renewables to contribute 26% of India’s power generation by end-FY2026

Renewable energy is expected to account for 26% of India’s total electricity generation by the end of FY2026, even as demand conditions remain relatively subdued, according to a report by Infomerics Ratings cited by PV Magazine on February 18. »»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
BNE 1h

Beijing’s expanding grip on Central Asian debt

As Central Asia is drawn more and more into China’s orbit, Beijing is emerging not as a source of strain but as a critical stabilising factor in the region. As was highlighted in the World Bank’s International Debt Report (IDR) published in December 2025, concentrated borrowing can heighten risk if»»»

intellinews.com
Jordan Times 1h

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»»»

jordantimes.com
Jordan Times 1h

ASE launches update to enhance features of 'Boursa' App

AMMAN — The Amman Stock Exchange (ASE) has launched a new update for its mobile application, "Boursa", reflecting its ongoing commitment to developing advanced digital tools that meet investor expectations and enhance accessibility to market data.The update aims to facilitate precise monitoring of»»»

jordantimes.com
Jordan Times 1h

CBJ Governor presides over 4th cycle of HFE research awards on key economic issues

AMMAN — Governor of the Central Bank of Jordan (CBJ) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hussein Fund for Excellence (HFE), Adel Sharkas, presided over the awards ceremony for the winners of the fourth cycle of the Hussein Fund Economic Research Awards.Speaking on behalf of the Governor, »»»

jordantimes.com
France24 1h

Peru ousts interim president Jeri amid corruption probe weeks before elections

Peru’s Congress on Tuesday voted to remove the interim President Jose Jeri over corruption allegations, deepening political uncertainty just weeks before the nation’s April presidential and congressional elections. Jeri is under preliminary investigation for alleged influence peddling tied to a ser»»»

france24.com
Gulf News 2h

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»»»

gulfnews.com
France24 2h

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»»»

france24.com
Gulf News 2h

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»»»

gulfnews.com
Gulf News 3h

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»»»

gulfnews.com
France24 3h

Eye on Africa - At least 28 people killed in drone strikes on Sudan market

In tonight's edition: At least 28 people are killed in drone strikes on a market in central Sudan's Kordofan region. Also, our correspondent Tom Canetti sits down with Sanda Ojiambo, the Assistant Secretary General and CEO of the UN's Global Compact initiative. And as Muslims around the world gear »»»

france24.com
BBC 3h

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»»»

bbc.com
France24 3h

Press Review - Death of Quentin: Suspect's links with France Unbowed party put left in spotlight

PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 18, 2026: The killing of far-right activist Quentin Deranque has plunged France into political chaos, as one of the suspects was revealed to be working for the far-left France Unbowed party. Meanwhile, as tributes for civil rights act»»»

france24.com
Gulf News 3h

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»»»

gulfnews.com
UPI 3h

Microsoft offers $50B to counter global AI divide - UPI.com

Visitors explore the Microsoft pavilion at the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, India, where Microsoft on Wednesday announced a $50 billion investment to narrow the global AI divide. Photo by Rajat Gupta/EPA Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Microsoft announced Wednesday it's allocating $50 bi»»»

upi.com
France24 3h

Focus - Indonesia's picture-postcard island of Bali grapples with property frenzy

Bali's picture-postcard image is cracking. On Indonesia's premium tourist resort, the race to build luxury villas and hotels has triggered an unprecedented property frenzy. Farmland is carved up into plots, coastline is privatised and bogus permits issued. Construction sites are springing up everyw»»»

france24.com
Qatar Tribune 4h

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»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 4h

MoEHE issues circular on student enrolment, relocation procedures for academic year 2026-27

QNA Doha The Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) has issued a new circular outlining instructions to regulate the enrolment and transfer of students in public schools for the upcoming academic year 2026-2027. These instructions are intended to streamline procedures for parents and en»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 4h

Cabinet approves amending National Committee for Customs Clearance System, Single Window provisions

Congratulations were also extended to ministries and government entities that won the Government Excellence Award in its second edition. The Cabinet praised their outstanding institutional performance and the award’s role in elevating the quality of public services since its launch. The Cabinet app»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 5h

QU hosts 11th Annual IPE Student Association Forum

Tribune News Network Doha The 11th Annual Interprofessional Education (IPE) Student Association Forum at Qatar University (QU) marked a significant milestone in the ongoing development of collaborative health profession education. The forum brought together students, health professionals, educators»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 5h

Qatar Tourism, HMC sign pact to promote off-road safety

Tribune News Network Doha Qatar Tourism and Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to raise awareness about off-road safety among Qatar’s adventurist residents, families, and high-risk groups. The MoU seeks to enhance collaboration and coordination between t»»»

qatar-tribune.com
Qatar Tribune 5h

Ramadan season of QF’s Siraj enhances children’s connection to Names of Allah

Tribune News Network Doha Siraj, an initiative of Qatar Foundation’s (QF’s) Pre-University Education (PUE), launched its special Ramadan edition for children in Qatar and across the Arab world, featuring five episodes that highlight the meanings of the Names of Allah. Each episode explores one of t»»»

qatar-tribune.com
BBC 5h

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»»»

bbc.com
Qatar Tribune 5h

India targets $200 billion data centre boom to power AI ambitions

Agencies India hopes to attract as much as $200 billion in data center investment over the next few years as it boosts its ambitions to become a hub for artificial intelligence, the country’s top electronics and information technology official said Tuesday. The investments underscore the reliance o»»»

qatar-tribune.com
UPI 5h

8 skiers dead, 1 missing after Tahoe National Forest avalanche - UPI.com

Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Eight skiers died and one is missing from a group of 15 people completing a three-day backcountry tour in California's Tahoe National Forest when an avalanche struck, local law enforcement said Wednesday. Local emergency services received a 911 call at 11:30 a.m. PST on Tuesday to »»»

upi.com
BBC 6h

Canada Conservative leader dismisses MP's 'hissy fit' remark over US relations

Canadian Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre said he does not agree with an elected member of his party who claimed that Canada was harming its relationship with the US by throwing an "anti-American hissy fit". Jamil Jivani, a Conservative MP from Ontario, made the remark in an interview with righ»»»

bbc.com
The Peninsula 6h

Things to do this weekend in Qatar (February 19-21, 2026)

Doha, Qatar: The first weekend of the holy month of Ramadan has arrived, carrying with it a pleasant mix of activities. Old Souq Bazaar Until April 30, 2026 10am - 10pm Tawar Mall Tawar Mall invites you to enjoy the From Our Homeland Productive Families Markets Exhibition hosted at the Old Souq Baz»»»

thepeninsulaqatar.com
Al Awsat 7h

Microsoft Arabia: Saudi Arabia Accelerates AI Adoption, Turns It Into Competitive Edge

Saudi Arabia has cemented its global standing in artificial intelligence after pouring significant investments into the sector in 2025, accelerating digital transformation and expanding real-world applications across government and the wider economy. From education and manufacturing to energy and p»»»

english.aawsat.com
UPI 7h

75% of global coffee supply faces rising extreme heat, analysis says - UPI.com

Climate Central's researchers found in a new analysis that heat threatens coffee harvests and coincides with recent record highs in prices. File Photo by Fully Handoko/EPA Feb. 18 (UPI) -- An analysis by Climate Central found that the world's five largest coffee-producing countries, which account f»»»

upi.com
Al Manar 7h

Israeli Circles Underline Imam Khamenei’s “Shrewd” Threats to Sink US Carriers amid Fluctuating War Expectations - Al-Manar TV Lebanon

Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Israeli Circles Underline Imam Khamenei’s “Shrewd” Threats to Sink US Carriers amid Fluctuating War Expectations 18-02-2026 21:27 PM The Zi»»»

english.almanar.com.lb
Daily News Egypt 7h

Pilot rollout of universal health insurance set for Minya to expand coverage

Egypt is preparing for the pilot implementation of its universal health insurance system in Minya as part of the second phase of the nationwide initiative aimed at broadening healthcare coverage and enhancing service quality, Minister of Health Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said. The Health Ministry reporte»»»

dailynewsegypt.com
Gulf News 8h

Dubai police warns of accident on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road

Dubai Police issued a warning for drivers in Dubai headed towards Sharjah. On its X handle, it said: "An accident is causing a traffic disruption on Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road opposite City Centre Mirdif, heading towards Sharjah. Please exercise caution." Karishma H. NandkeolyarAssistant Online»»»

gulfnews.com
TAP 8h

Textile sector in Monastir: UN Human Rights report denounces workers precariousness and environmental impact

Tunis, Feb 18 (TAP) - A predominantly female workforce trapped in precarious employment, deteriorating occupational health and alarming environmental consequences: such is the stark assessment presented in a report by the Office of the United...»»»

UPI 8h

Chile’s cherry industry faces challenging outlook - UPI.com

Some fruit industry analysts say the boom in Chilean cherries may have peaked and that weaker demand in China, the main export market for the fruit, could force producers to rethink supply levels. File Photo by Benjamin Hernandez/EPA SANTIAGO, Chile, Feb. 18 (UPI) -- Chile's cherry industry faces a»»»

upi.com
Al Awsat 8h

How Gaza Armed Gangs Recruit New Members

As Hamas moves to strike armed gangs operating in areas of the Gaza Strip under Israeli army control, the groups are responding with defiance, stepping up efforts to recruit young men and expand their ranks. Videos posted on social media show training exercises and other activities, signaling that »»»

english.aawsat.com
Gulf News 8h

India declares first day of Ramadan

Maulana Khalid Rasheed Farangi Mahali, Qazi-e-Shahr and President of the Markazi Chand Committee, Farangi Mahal, Lucknow, has announced that the moon was sighted, reported ANI. Which means the first day of Ramadan would be Feb 19, Thursday, in India. Karishma H. NandkeolyarAssistant Online EditorKa»»»

gulfnews.com
Daily News Egypt 8h

Egypt to link export incentives to measurable performance targets, minister says

Egypt will link all future export incentives and “burden-reduction” programmes to measurable numerical targets and performance indicators (KPIs), Investment and Foreign Trade Minister Mohamed Farid said on Wednesday. The move marks a shift toward a “disciplined partnership” between the state and th»»»

dailynewsegypt.com