Trump considers strike on Iran as Tehran says draft nuclear deal coming soon
US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was considering a limited strike on Iran as he sent a major naval buildup to the region with the goal of pressurising Tehran to cut a deal that would curb its nuclear programme. Iran's foreign minister said a draft proposal for an agreement with Washingto»»»
Ukrainian President announces recapture of hundreds of kilometers in south of country
Kyiv: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Friday that his country's army has regained control of 300 square kilometers in a counter-offensive that is still ongoing in the south of the country. In a press statement, the Ukrainian president noted that this advance is part of Kyiv's "bro»»»
UK agrees drone defence plan with four EU allies
Britain is to develop new air defence weapons alongside the EU's four biggest military powers, deepening ties with the European defence sector. The project will invite manufacturers in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Poland to submit plans to build low-cost missiles and autonomous drones. The al»»»
The Windsor taboo breaks: What the UK royal arrest means
February 19, 2026, will undoubtedly enter British history. Whether it will also come to be seen as a marker of the British Empire’s final unraveling remains an open question. That discussion can wait. For now, the facts themselves are striking enough. At eight o’clock on Thursday morning, Andrew Mo»»»
In photos: Ramadan preparations begin in Cairo, Egypt - All Photos - UPI.com
By Wade SheridanMuslim people prepare for the start of Ramadan in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday. Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic calendar. A Muslim boy carries a Ramadan lantern in a popular market one day before the start of Ramadan in Nasr City, Cairo, Egypt, on February 17, 202»»»
1M subject to fire watch as Oklahoma fires continue - UPI.com
Several fires continue burning on Friday in the Oklahoma and Texas panhandles, forcing local evacuations and placing more than a million people in the area under a fire watch. File Photo by Toru Kawana/UPI | License Photo Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Wildfires have burned more than 300,000 acres in the Oklahom»»»
Epstein estate to pay $35 million to settle sex abuse claims
The estate of the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein has agreed to pay up to $35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit, according to a court filing from Thursday. The suit accused two of the financier’s advisers of aiding and abetting his sex trafficking of young women and teenage girls. The laws»»»
Venezuela enacts political amnesty law
Venezuela’s interim president, Delcy Rodriguez, has enacted an amnesty law meant to grant immediate clemency to individuals jailed for participating in political unrest. The law, signed on Thursday, had been formally proposed by Rodriguez in January, weeks after she was appointed interim president.»»»
Poll: 62% oppose ICE's tactics in immigration efforts - UPI.com
Tens of thousands of people march through downtown Minneapolis as they protest the federal government's immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis on Jan. 30. A new poll shows that most Americans believe President Donald Trump has gone too far in his immigration efforts. Photo by Craig Lassig/UPI»»»
Salam once again defends controversial tax hike
Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Friday that telling people the truth is not a choice but a must, as he defended new taxes approved earlier this week by his government. "The financial situation we inherited is very difficult and the trust between the state and the people was damaged in the past," he»»»
Trump painted rosy picture of Gaza future but on the ground, there's only despair
At the inaugural meeting of his Board of Peace in Washington, President Donald Trump spoke of billions of dollars pledged to rebuild the Gaza Strip and a "new and harmonious" Middle East rising from the ashes of war. Videos aired at the meeting showed a future of gleaming high-rises and new soccer »»»
Several casualties in Israeli air raids on inhabited buildings in Temnin, Bednayel and Riyak in Bekaa: Al-Manar reporter - Al-Manar TV Lebanon
Secretary's SpeechLebanon PalestineZionist EntityRegional and International International More Video Language Ar En Fr EsSubscribe for Weekly Updates Subscribe Several casualties in Israeli air raids on inhabited buildings in Temnin, Bednayel and Riyak in Bekaa: Al-Manar reporter 20-02-2026 20:59 P»»»
Austrian court fines man $11K in climber girlfriend's 2025 death - UPI.com
An Austrian court on Thursday fined a man and suspended his five-month sentence after finding him guilty of negligence in his climber girlfriend's death amid wintry conditions while climbing Grossglockner Mountain in January 2025. Photo by Helmut Fohringer/EPA Feb. 20 (UPI) -- An Austrian man recei»»»
Interior Minister Urges Opposition to Stop Violence, Protect Minors Amid Protests
Albania’s Interior Minister Albana Koçiu issued an urgent call to opposition leaders to immediately halt acts of violence and remove minors from the protests, warning that their safety is at risk. Molotov cocktails caught police officers stationed outside the prime minister’s office, media personne»»»
'Hard to keep lights on' - Business owners cautiously welcome tariff ruling
As soon as she heard the US Supreme Court had struck down President Donald Trump's authority to impose sweeping global tariffs, Jenelle Peterson's mind raced to the possibilities for her toy business. She might import more toys to the US and invest in designing new ones - things she had put on hold»»»
France repatriates stolen colonial-era 'talking drum' to Ivory Coast
In the latest repatriation of stolen artefacts, France on Friday handed over the Djidji Ayokwe or "talking" drum back to Ivory Coast after it was looted by colonial troops in 1916. The drum, which was used by the Ebrie tribe to transmit messages, is one of hundreds of objects France is prepari»»»
Trade Minister inspects Tunis Central Market, urges respecting set prices
Tunis, Feb. 20 (TAP) – Minister of Trade and Export Development Samir Abid paid a visit on Friday to the Tunis Central Market, accompanied by the Governor of Tunis, senior officials from the ministry, economic control teams and security officers.He...»»»
In photos: Historic February moments through the years - All Photos - UPI.com
By Wade SheridanFebruary is a month marked by milestones -- moments of courage, change, celebration and loss. From Nelson Mandela being released from prison in Africa to the World Trade Center bombing, here's a look at historic moments from February that continue to shape the world we know today. F»»»
Peru's interim president continues on trial one day after taking office - UPI.com
Newspaper front pages feature Peru's new interim president Jose Maria Balcazar in Lima on Thursday. Congress elected Balcazar as the new interim president during an extraordinary session. But he is also on trial for financial irregularities. Photo by Paolo Aguilar/EPA Feb. 20 (UPI) -- Peru's interi»»»
Carrick praises Man Utd 'diversity' after Ratcliffe's immigrant rant
London: Michael Carrick praised Manchester United's "diversity" after the club's co-owner Jim Ratcliffe caused controversy by claiming the United Kingdom has been "colonised by immigrants". Ratcliffe was widely criticised for his outburst last week and later apologised if his remarks had "offended »»»
Inmate and prison guard held in pretrial detention over Domokos prison killing
A 38-year-old inmate accused of fatally shooting fellow prisoner Antonis Papadatos at Domokos Prison last Sunday and the prison’s chief guard, charged with complicity, were both ordered held in pretrial detention by a Lamia magistrate and prosecutor. The joint hearings lasted more than 10 hours, wi»»»
Artemis II completes countdown test, prepares for launch - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Artemis II moon rocket sits on Launch Complex 39B at sunset at Kennedy Space Center, Fla., on February 6. On Thursday, the mission had a successful dress rehearsal and is planning to launch as soon as March 6. Photo by Pat Benic/UPI | License Photo Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The NASA Artemis II seco»»»
Dominican Republic begins 2026 with 1.2M visitors, projects record year - UPI.com
People walk past sargassum clumps on the sand in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in July. File Photo by Orlando Barria/EPA Feb. 20 (UPI) -- The Dominican Republic opened the year with 1.22 million tourists in January, a 5.5% increase compared with the same month last year. The increase was driven b»»»
Trump tariffs struck down: What's his plan now?
TradeUnited States of AmericaTrump tariffs struck down: What's his plan now? Timothy RooksThe US Supreme Court has ruled that most of the president's tariffs are unconstitutional because of how he implemented them. But the administration is prepared to reinstate them, starting with a 10% temporary »»»
Inmate claims self-defense in fatal shooting at Domokos prison
A 38-year-old inmate told a Lamia investigating magistrate Friday that he acted in self-defense when he fatally shot fellow prisoner Antonis Papadatos at Domokos Prison, as authorities investigate the killing as a possible contract hit. The suspect spent three hours defending himself against charge»»»
Trump announces new 10 percent global tariff
President Donald Trump announced on Friday that he was imposing an extra global tariff of 10 percent on US trade partners. Speaking to reporters after the Supreme Court ruled his sweeping global tariffs illegal, Trump said he would impose tariffs using alternative authorities. "The Supreme Court's »»»
Hungary blocks EU loan to Ukraine – FT
Budapest has imposed a veto on a €90 billion ($106 billion) EU loan for Ukraine agreed in December, Financial Times has reported. Hungary, along with several other EU members, had previously opted out of the scheme, which was expected to be covered through joint EU borrowing. The Hungarian represen»»»
Jeffrey Epstein's estate to settle suit with victims for at least $25 million - UPI.com
1 of 4 | Chair of the House Democratic Women's Caucus Rep. Teresa Leger Fernandez, D-N.M., speaks during a press conference with advocates and survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, including the family of Virginia Giuffre, at the U.S. Capitol on February 10. Two executors of Epstein'»»»
Two Martyrs in Israeli Drone Attack on Palestinian Refugee Camp in South Lebanon
As part of the ongoing Israeli aggression against Lebanese areas and Palestinian camps, an Israeli drone launched an attack this afternoon on the Cinema neighborhood in the Hittin neighborhood of the Ain al-Hilweh camp, south of Sidon. The drone fired two missiles at a building formerly occupied by»»»
FBI to lower requirements for special agents – Reuters
The FBI is planning to make it easier for existing employees to become special agents by eliminating two long-standing vetting steps, Reuters reported on Thursday, citing sources. The change comes as Director Kash Patel seeks to reshape the bureau amid an agent shortage. According to the report, Pa»»»
NASA chief blasts Boeing over botched Starliner mission
NASA chief Jared Isaacman has slammed Boeing for failures that plagued the botched debut mission of its first crewed spaceship, Starliner, which left two astronauts stranded for nine months last year.A billionaire private astronaut and close associate of SpaceX founder Elon Musk, Isaacman, who was »»»
Central Election Commission Allocates Seats to Multi-Member Constituencies for April 19 Parliamentary Elections
The Central Election Commission (CEC) has allocated the seats to the multi-member constituencies for the parliamentary elections scheduled for April 19, 2026, the Commission said on Friday. The CEC determines the number of seats for each multi-member constituency according to a uniform national rep»»»
President Hosts Iftar Dinner Marking Beginning of Ramadan
President Iliana Iotova hosted a traditional iftar dinner in Sofia on Friday marking the onset of the holy month of Ramadan for Muslims. Addressing the guests at the fast-breaking evening meal, she said that the aspirations of the human heart are the same - both in joy and in worries, regardless of»»»
Lebanon Says Two Killed in Israeli Strike on Palestinian Refugee Camp
Lebanon said an Israeli strike on the country's largest Palestinian refugee camp killed two people on Friday, with Israel's army saying it had targeted the Palestinian group Hamas. The official National News Agency said "an Israeli drone" targeted a neighborhood of the Ain al-Hilweh camp, which is »»»
Vucic: Good discussion with Koopman, Serbia's success might surprise many
MAJDANPEK - Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Friday he had had a very successful meeting with Director-General of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood Gert Jan Koopman earlier in the day, and noted that Serbia would remain on the EU path »»»
Diplomacy Is Still the Only Viable Path to Peace in Ukraine, UN Refugee Chief Barham Salih Says
There are many obstacles to a peace deal in Ukraine, but a diplomatic solution remains the only viable option, the newly appointed head of the UN refugee agency said Friday, warning that humanitarian operations are increasingly overstretched because of multiple global crises. Barham Salih, Iraq’s f»»»
Argentina sees 22,000 companies close over two years - UPI.com
More than 22,000 companies have closed and more than 300,000 formal jobs have been lost in Argentina over the past two years as a result of a trade liberalization policy that reduced tariffs with the promise of lowering consumer prices, a trade association says. File Photo by Juan Ignacio Roncoroni»»»
Trump says he's considering limited strikes on Iran amid nuclear talks - UPI.com
President Donald Trump speaks during a Governors Working Breakfast in the State Dining Room of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Friday. He told a reporter he's considering limited military strikes on Iran. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo Feb. 20 (UPI) -- President Donald Trump said »»»
What Is ALS, the Disease That Killed Actor Eric Dane?
Eric Dane, known for his roles on "Grey’s Anatomy" and "Euphoria," died this week from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis at age 53. The fatal nervous system disease, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, killed Dane less than a year after he announced his diagnosis. According to the Centers for Disease C»»»
Revisited - Amid chaos, southern Yemen dreams of regaining independence
Hundreds of thousands of people in Aden, in southern Yemen, are calling for the return of the pre-1990 state of South Yemen, creating a gaping rift with the legitimate Saudi-backed government. Led by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), this desire for independence is hampered by a brutal reali»»»
India AI summit in New Delhi: When AI amplifies the biases of users
Rachel Adams, Founding CEOof thye Global Centre on AI Governance (GCG), is our guest.»»»
UK police search property of ex-prince Andrew as royals reel from arrest
UK police on Friday searched properties belonging to the British royals for a second day after the sensational arrest of disgraced ex-prince Andrew tipped the British monarchy into crisis. Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and later released as police probe misconduct claims over»»»
Talking Europe - 'We will be able to defend Ukraine' thanks to EU loan: Ambassador Vsevolod Chentsov
As part of FRANCE 24’s and Talking Europe’s coverage of the fourth anniversary of the war in Ukraine, we host veteran diplomat Vsevolod Chentsov, Ukraine’s ambassador to the European Union. He highlights the critical assistance the EU is providing for the country’s military, budgetary, and energy n»»»
Trump tariffs struck down: What's his backup plan?
TradeUnited States of AmericaTrump tariffs struck down: What's his backup plan? Timothy RooksIn a much-anticipated decision, the US Supreme Court has ruled that most of the president's tariffs are unconstitutional because of how he implemented them. But the administration is prepared to reinstate t»»»
Greece rejects Ukrainian request to extradite former pro-Russian city councilor
Greece has rejected a Ukrainian request to extradite a former pro-Russian city councilor wanted on an international warrant for alleged fraud involving municipal real estate, ruling that he would face safety risks if returned to his war-torn country. The 54-year-old, a former city councilor in Odes»»»
Venezuela passes amnesty law but excludes opposition leaders
Venezuela's parliament passed amnesty legislation on February 19 by unanimous vote, potentially freeing hundreds of individuals imprisoned for political opposition to the regime of deposed president Nicolas Maduro. But the measure explicitly excludes those accused of promoting foreign military inte»»»
New York nurses reach deal with hospital to end strike - UPI.com
1 of 5 | Picketers hold signs outside at the entrance to Mount Sinai Hospital on Jan. 20 in New York City. On Friday, the final group of nurses on strike reached a tentative deal with New York-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital to end the strike. Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo Feb. 20 (UPI»»»